The owner of a Stafford County property slated for development has withdrawn his Virginia Marine Resources Commission application for a permit for a 1,050-foot pier on Potomac Creek, part of the original plans for the Crows Nest Outdoor Adventure campground.
The entire campground, while a by-right development, has faced heavy opposition from neighboring residents in the Belle Plains community, including members of the Patawomeck Tribe who own property near the proposed development.
Owner Mark McLeod had initially purchased the property to build residences but later changed course to create a 150-site campground complete with cabins and amenities. The proposed 6-foot-wide pier would extend over the tidal wetlands known as the Big Marsh and include three platforms with a partially covered deck for kayak and canoe storage and a 30-by-30-foot covered pavilion. The campground permitting process is still moving forward.
The withdrawn application was confirmed May 21 by VRMC environmental engineer Khadijah Payne. Review of the included documents appears to indicate that detailed engineered plans for the pier would be required by the Wetlands Board prior to review.
Mcleod declined to comment further other than to state that, “VMRC put a lot of information on their website regarding the application withdrawal, which is public information.”
