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Florida-based entrepreneur and developer, Tom Petrillo, recently shared updates on his 188-site luxury recreational vehicle (RV) resort, The DiVine Village. Initially conceived in 2021, the resort is edging towards the conclusion of its planning phase. This luxury campsite was at the forefront of discussion when Petrillo visited The Nugget office last week, providing insight on what lies ahead for this project currently taking shape off Town Creek Church Road.
Compared to his previous discussions in January, Petrillo now seems more prepared to share detailed insights about the resort’s development. He highlighted how their discussions were originally a series of Q&A to promote maximum transparency and they refrained from sharing plans prematurely, only deciding to do so when they were truly feasible. Now, Petrillo has a clear picture of what he wants to bring to the table for the community.
The Latest Plan for DiVine Village
The latest layout closely mirrors Petrillo’s original design proposed in September 2021, without including ‘casita’ RV sites. It also reduces the number of cabins from eight to two. Based on these designs, County Chairman Chris Dockery views this development as aligning with the previously approved plan, which is crucial for the project’s ‘grandfathering’ under pre-2022 land use codes.
Petrillo has managed to acquire a land disturbance permit and two demolition permits from the County for targeted tree and building removals. He has registered the campground with the local Chamber of Commerce but asserts construction can’t begin without a green light from GA EPD for the pending Land Application System (LAS) application. He stressed, “Everything hinges on this EPD approval.”
Embracing Luxury Camping
According to Petrillo, there are three shades of RV camping: campgrounds, entertainment centers, and luxury resorts; and, DiVine Village will definitely be a luxury resort. Their primary target audience falls within RV owners valued at $250,000 to $2.5 million.
DiVine Village is being conceptualized as the ‘Four Seasons-level resort’ for RV owners, replete with a welcome center, a large clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool and pickleball courts, a laundry/bath house, a maintenance building, 188 RV campsites, and two cabins. He proposes a second phase involving the addition of 50 premium RV sites, making the count 238 in total, subject to County approval.
Community Considerations and Environmental Impact
With an aim to be good citizens and neighbors, Petrillo has been communicating with the closest neighbor to the property. They sought input on initial plans which included tents and an amphitheater, and made changes to address possible noise pollution.
Petrillo is mindful of environmental impact. He quoted, “Initially, density requirements allowed for over 500 RV sites. Now we are way below that due to environmental concerns and preserving the property’s beauty.” He is confident the GA EPD will approve the LAS application for wastewater management.
Community Participation and Local Impact
Perceiving himself more as a partner rather than competitor to local businesses, Petrillo plans to involve the community in the project, offering opportunities to participate in community events. He does not plan on obtaining a liquor license but intends to invite local wineries for wine tastings, and providing a multi-purpose room for local community gatherings.
Based on a study conducted by Strategic Performance Group, Petrillo predicts attracting over 10,000 unique visitors to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, contributing around a million dollars in tax revenue to the County annually.
County Views
Chairman Dockery emphasized the developer must adhere to the original plan unless approved variations or variances are sought. He noted the developer’s willingness to cooperate on buffering the resort from surrounding neighbors with vegetation, commending it as a neighborly act.
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