The Richland County Natural Resources Committee on Monday delayed action on a petition to rezone a 4‑acre parcel in Westford Township so the applicant can complete required variance and conditional‑use steps.

The petitioner, Afton McKenzie, asked to change a legal nonconforming parcel to Ag Residential so she can, if subsequent approvals are granted, operate a small campground on the site. McKenzie told the committee the campground would be low‑visibility and low‑noise: “You cannot see the campground from the road or the adjacent properties... it won’t be a noise nuisance,” she said.

The rezone request followed Westford Township’s recent vote approving a variance to the lot‑size requirement and a one‑year conditional‑use permit for the campground subject to the county review process. County staff said the rezone is needed because the parcel was previously treated as legal nonconforming and changed ownership, triggering the cleanup of zoning status.

Neighbors who spoke during the petition raised concerns about density and potential noise. Joe Winston, a property owner adjacent to the site, told the committee he had “no objections,” but other nearby residents said past problems with barking dogs and general rural noise could complicate expectations about campground quiet hours. Multiple speakers also questioned whether neighbors had been correctly notified about recent township meetings; county staff said notices had been sent to the list of abutting owners included with the petition packet.

County staff explained that the county’s Ag Residential designation has a 5‑acre minimum in the zoning table but noted some permitting frameworks for campgrounds allow smaller parcels; different departments sometimes reference differing density standards. The township’s variance reduced that minimum to permit the proposed use and the petitioner said she would accept conditions and a trial period.

Committee discussion focused on the pending Board of Adjustments review for the lot‑size variance and the absence of final township minutes for the most recent vote. The committee voted to delay final action on the county rezone until after the Board of Adjustments and until written township minutes and any required site plans are on file.

The county staff added that if the Board of Adjustments and subsequent conditional‑use review are completed, the campground will still need a separate conditional‑use permit before operations could begin.