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The Timeline Behind the Ordinance Change

November 9, 2023

​Our Campground Major Site Plan submitted to Stafford County.

December 19, 2023

Just 40 days after our Campgrounds Major Site Plan was submitted to Stafford County, Attorney Charlie Payne and legal counsel for the Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA)—contacted Stafford County Planning staff stating that he represented several surrounding property owners opposed to the project and requested a meeting with the staff.

 

From: Charlie Payne mailto:cpayne@hirschlerlaw.com⁠

Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 – 7:14 PM

To: Kathy C. Baker; Brian V. Geouge

Subject: FW: Belle Plains Road Campground Plan

Importance: High

 

“Happy holidays guys! I represent several surrounding property owners who are not very excited about this project.

 

Concerns run from noise, adequate buffering and setbacks, traffic, waste and impacts to Crows Nest.

 

Can we connect after the holidays?

 

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

 

Charles W. Payne, Jr.”

 

Who is Charlie Payne?

 

Charlie Payne has served as legal counsel for the Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) for more than 15 years. He represents major development projects, including large residential communities, commercial developments, and data centers here in Stafford County.

 

What is the EDA?

 

The Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) exists to encourage new businesses, investment, economic development, and job creation throughout Stafford County.

December 20, 2023

The day after Charlie Payne requested a meeting, Kathy Baker forwarded his email to Stafford County Planning leadership and staff that was over our Campground Site Plan. 

 

Who was included in the email?

 

Kathy C. Baker – County Administrator overseeing Planning & Development Services.

Dylan Palmer – Planner assigned to review our Major Site Plan.

Paul J. Santay – Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services.

Mike J. Zuraf – Director of Planning & Development Services.

Brian V. Geouge – Planning Manager overseeing development reviews and supervising planning staff.

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“FYI, see below. We’ll schedule a meeting after the first of the year.”

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Stafford County Plans Meeting Following Attorney’s Request

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We didn't receive any information on the meeting in our FOIA request. 

April 8, 2024

The legal letter of Charlie Payne was sent from the Office of Virginia Delegate Joshua Cole, a speaker at Chairman Deuntay Diggs’ town halls.

 

From: Audrey Lyons

Sent: Monday, April 8, 2024 – 2:11 PM

To: Mike Morinz; Deuntay T. Diggs; Craig Meadows; Kathy C. Baker; Charlie Payne

Subject: Belle Plains Campground Major Site Plan

 

Sent on behalf of Charlie W. Payne, Jr.

 

“Please see attached Belle Plains Campground Major Site Plan letter.”

 

Audrey K. Lyons

Legislative Assistant

Office of Virginia Delegate Joshua G. Cole

April 8, 2024

Excerpts for Charlie Payne:

 

“I hope this letter finds you well. As you may be aware, we represent several adjacent property owners of the Property and concerned citizens who have recently contacted the County about the above referenced matter. In this regard, it is our understanding that Mark McLeod (“Applicant”) is seeking approval of a major site plan related to his proposed campground on the Property, namely ‘Belle Plains Campground’, sometimes referred to as ‘Crow’s Nest Outdoor Adventure’. As you are aware, the Property is currently zoned Agricultural (“A-1”), which permits the development of a campground by-right. And while we acknowledge that a campground is a by-right use within the A-1 zoning district, it is our concern that material portions of this proposed project are outside the scope of the County’s definition of a campground…”

 

“…the purpose of this letter is to highlight my clients’ concerns and to request that the County suspend or reject the proposed major site plan, and require the Applicant to seek a conditional use permit.”

 

“…we respectfully request that the aforesaid major site plan application be suspended… or simply reject the application unless:”

 

1. It explicitly prohibits the parking of travel trailers, pop-up trailers, and other similar recreational vehicles on the property; or

 

2. It receives a required Conditional Use Permit to allow for the parking of recreational vehicles on the property.

November 7, 2024

Charlie Payne emailed Chairman Deuntay Diggs.

 

“Some food for thought…”

 

Attached to the email was a proposed Campground Ordinance revision showing:

 

Campgrounds under the By-Right use CROSSED OUT.

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Campgrounds added to the Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

 

This document reflected the same type of ordinance change that was ultimately adopted by Stafford County a few months later.

 

From: Charlie Payne

Sent: Thursday, November 7, 2024

To: Deuntay T. Diggs

Subject: Campground

 

“Mr. Diggs,

 

I hope all is well. Attached is some food for thought. Happy to further discuss.

 

Thank you,

 

Charles W. Payne, Jr.”

See below emails and docs of his "Food for Thought"

November 7, 2024

At 6:33 PM, Board of Supervisors Chairman Deuntay T. Diggs emailed members of the opposition and a Stafford County official.

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To:

Teampinkga

CC:

Kevin E. Dodson- Stafford official 

Dane Kanazawa-Neighbor

Hunter Morin- Neighbor

Julie (Rodney) Dodd- Neighbor

Michael “Mike” Silver-Neighbor

Lee Cherwek- Neighbor

Sarah Southworth- Lives in Stafford but not a neighbor. 

 

Subject: Campground

 

He wrote:

 

“I want to inform you that part of my pledge to each of you was to be proactive and try to prevent a situation like the campground from occurring in the future.”

 

He then continued:

 

“At tonight’s board meeting, I won the support of the majority of the board to review our campground ordinance and RVs and remove them from by-right status. If you do not understand the significance of this, please call me, and I will explain further.” 

November 8, 2024

BOS Chairman Deuntay Diggs forwards Charlie Payne’s proposed campground ordinance amendment to Stafford County’s top legal and administrative officials.

 

Who received the email?

 

Rysheda M. McClendon – Stafford County Attorney (Chief Legal Counsel).

Bill Ashton – Deputy County Administrator.

Donna S. Krauss – Deputy County Attorney.

 

From: Deuntay T. Diggs

Sent: Friday, November 8, 2024 – 1:20 PM

Subject: FW: Fwd: Campground

 

FYI

 

Forwarded email:

 

From: Charlie Payne

Sent: Thursday, November 7, 2024

To: Deuntay T. Diggs

Subject: Campground

 

“Mr. Diggs,

 

I hope all is well. Attached is some food for thought. Happy to further discuss.

 

Thank you,

 

Charles W. Payne, Jr.”

January 31, 2025

We filed our lawsuit against Stafford County.

February 18, 2025

February 18, 2025

 

The Board of Supervisors voted to begin the process of changing the campground ordinance and referred the proposed changes to the Planning Commission.

February 26, 2025

 The Planning Commission received the Board of Supervisors’ referral of the proposed Ordinance to modify campground regulations. At this meeting,a subcommittee was appointed.

March 4, 2025

Stafford County filed a Demurrer asking the Court to dismiss our lawsuit.

March 26, 2025

March 20, 2025   1st Subcommittee Meeting

The Planning Commission Subcommittee held its first meeting on the proposed campground ordinance changes.

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This meeting wasn't recorded it

April 2, 2025  2nd Subcommittee Meeting

The Planning Commission Subcommittee held its 2nd meeting on the proposed campground ordinance changes.

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This meeting wasn't recorded it

April 9, 2025

  1. The Planning Commission meets to discuss the changing of the ordinance. And to discuss a upcoming hearing.

May 9, 2025

Our Major Site Plan reached its 18-month expiration date.

May 14, 2025

The Planning Commission Public Hearing to change the ordinance for Campgrounds

May 19, 2025

The Court heard Stafford County’s Demurrer, as Stafford County sought to have our lawsuit dismissed.

May 27, 2025

The Court denied Stafford County’s Demurrer, allowing our lawsuit to move forward.

 

Had we not prevailed on the Demurrer, we would have been forced to start over with a new Site Plan and seek permission from the very Board of Supervisors that had just voted to remove campgrounds from the By-Right ordinance.

June 17, 2025

The Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the campground ordinance changes that Chairman Diggs had previously emailed the opposition about.

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