Page 9 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County
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CHAPTER 1: KEY FINDINGS
Impacts
Chapter 5 of this report evaluates potential impacts • Three avenues were identified to incorporate
from rural tourism activities. Based on four case mitigating strategies into best management
studies representing a range of activities, geographic practices related to traffic, parking,
locations, and site characteristics, the evaluation attendance levels, amplified sound, days/
documents factors with potential to impact hours of operation, and more. Related “next
neighboring residential and agricultural land uses steps” recommended to the County for
(e.g. noise, traffic, parking, and dust). Using findings consideration are as follows:
from the case studies and other sections of this » Regulations: Review and revise CDC
report, the consultant team developed a framework standards where appropriate, including
with strategies that can be put forward as best but not limited to those regulating rural
management practices to eliminate or minimize land use districts to encompass mitigating
possible impacts of rural tourism.
strategies proposed in Chapter 5;
Chapter 5 of this report, Assessment of Impacts, » Guidelines: Work with the Washington
provides more detail. County Visitor's Association (WCVA)
and agriculture/rural tourism industry
Of Note: representatives to develop guidelines that
• Initial findings highlighted that impacts are provide recommended mitigation actions
not necessarily associated with the type for those who offer rural tourism activities:
of activity offered, but more with site and and
vicinity attributes and the nature of specific » Good Neighbor Policies: Encourage “good
events. The following factors tend to increase neighbor” agreements among tourism
the odds of impacts from rural tourism: operators and neighbors to coordinate
» Operating close to neighboring land uses; rural tourism impact management.
» Directly accessing major roads; • Specific mitigation recommendations by type
of impact are included in Table 5.3 of Chapter 5.
» Having limited parking capacity;
» Engaging high volumes of patrons;
» Amplifying music/sound;
» Conducting frequent activities; and
» Late evening operation.
WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 5
