Campground granted conditional approval and looks to next steps

The proposed 166-site Neilson’s Campground Project at Johnson and Mill roads has been granted conditional approval. On July 7, the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner recommended approval of the privately-run campsite with 56 conditions. 

Many of the conditions are related to permit and county code compliance, including requirements for building permits as well as fire construction permits for both a proposed gate on Mill Road and fire hydrants. 

The first two conditions in the report relate to accidental discovery of archaeological resources and inadvertent discovery of skeletal remains, respectively. 

Condition three requires all buildings meet barrier-free, handicap accessible requirements. 

There are conditions in place to protect surrounding wetlands as well. Condition 22 requires “Native growth protection easement signage shall be installed approximately every 200 feet on the buffer of the wetland.” Condition 24 requires that applicants near bald eagle nests use an assessment to self-determine if a bald eagle permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is needed.

Condition 31 details that a 5-foot-wide public pedestrian trail “shall be designed and constructed within the Mill Road right-of-way at the project frontage.” 

To review all of the conditions, visit bit.ly/4wobUGX. 

Campground developer Lorne Nielson said in an email to the All Point Bulletin, “After over two years we were very happy with the hearing examiner's decision and are now looking forward to moving ahead.” 

Nielsen went on to explain that the next step is the building permit process, which includes detailed plans for design and construction of buildings, roads and infrastructure. “Part of this process will be to review current construction costs, market conditions and the overall timing,” Neilson wrote. 

Nielsen added, “It’s nice to finally be able to look forward.”