Planning Commission recommends establishment of RV park

The Gage County Planning Commission voted on Thursday to recommend approval of a plan to establish a recreational vehicle park near Homestead National Monument of America.

At its regular meeting Thursday afternoon, the commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a special use permit application from Troy Stevens, 23436 SW 75th Road, to place an RV park about one-half mile north of Homestead National Monument with stipulations limiting the number of RV pads to 14 and requiring Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality approval of a septic system.

Voting to recommend approval were Commissioners Wayne Brinkmeyer, Lisa Wiegand, David Zimmerman, Jeff Frerichs and Judy Libal. Commissioners Jim Stanosheck and Paul Weber were absent.

The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Gage County Board of Supervisors for final approval. A public hearing before the County Board has been tentatively scheduled for the board's Wednesday, March 28, meeting.

The County Board last year approved Stevens' application to establish a bed and breakfast near the site of the RV park. At the same time, the board denied Stevens' application for an RV park because county zoning regulations did not allow campgrounds and RV parks in areas zoned Agriculture 3, Agriculture Conservation District.

However, the County Board earlier this year amended the county's zoning regulations to allow campgrounds and RV parks in areas zoned AG-3.

Stevens plans to incorporate the RV park with the nearby bed and breakfast in an area called “Oak Aven Acres.” Stevens said Thursday his plans call for establishing no more than 14 pads for RVs to park, while he also said he would need to get DEQ approval for a septic system.

Although he said he could operate the RV park with a septic system, the commission stipulated a DEQ-approved sewage system would be required for the special use permit to be valid.

Stevens also said the RV park would be surrounded by trees on the south and east, a creek on the north and a county road on the west. In addition, he said shrubbery and evergreen trees would be planted and a system of walking paths in the timber would allow campers to walk without encroaching on neighboring property.

“We want this to give people the opportunity to enjoy rural America,” he said.