There could be a delay in the construction of a new RV park in Gantt, if commissioners don’t relax the county regulations surrounding its construction, project engineer Kermit George said Monday.

George said the development is located just past Crystal Orchard on U.S. Hwy. 29 North and asked commissioners to redefine county requirements for establishing an RV park so that the project could move forward.

George said under the current definition, an RV park would fall under the “subdivision” classification and would require certain road widths inside the park and for each lot to be platted.

“An RV park doesn’t fit the mold of a subdivision in any way whatsoever,” George said. “I’m asking you to relax the following subdivision requirements and specifications for this project. The owner of the property wants to get started as quickly as possible and is looking to maximize the use of his property.

“This is a typical RV park scenario,” he said. “We did two in Florida, where things are regulated to the ‘nth’ degree, and the same design is used here. My client has the money borrowed and is ready to go. He’d like to start as soon as possible.”

Since under state law, counties are authorized to impose regulations and specifications for subdivisions, George asked commissioners to make a determination Monday; however, commissioners elected to give county attorney Julie Moody and county engineer Darren Capps the authority to “look at the regulations and help Mr. George.”

Commissioner Carl Turman said, “This is not a mobile home park and it’s not a subdivision, and I’d like to see us help (George).”

Commissioner David Ellis said while the county cannot change state law, they can amend the county’s regulations – if the situation fits.

George said he didn’t understand the delay if commissioners had the authority to change the regulations.

Moody said the county needed time to determine if the county could, in fact, change the regulations and that she will try to answer George’s request by the end of the week.

In other business, the commission:

• honored Ruth Edson, manager of the Covington Area Transit System, for her 20 year career with CATS. Edson will retire March 31.

• renewed a three-year lease utilizing the Kiwanis building as a polling house. Under the agreement, the county will pay the Kiwanis Foundation $350 for each election held there and the cost of utilities for the day before the election, the day of and the day after.

• awarded a bid for motor grader cutting blades.