Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth have had a lot of real estate wins over the years, but unfortunately, the former Counting On couple's latest project will not be one of them. After members of their community raised concerns about their newest scheme to earn money, Joy and Austin's RV park will not be going forward, saddling them with a piece of property they are now unable to use.
Earlier this month, there was buzz that their venture wouldn't work out.
After word got out that Joy and Austin wanted to open an RV park in a residential area, which would have required rezoning the property, the community immediately rallied to put it to a stop. Concerned about the park, which could allow long-term rentals, creating a dangerous transient property in an area close to schools and families, vlogger Katie Joy of Without a Crystal Ball reported that residents had planned to speak out against the project in a community meeting.
The meeting finally took place this week.
Katie Joy reported that the meeting held in Elkins, Arkansas, ended up being a packed house. Joy attended with Austin, who brought his real estate agent as they tried to argue for their cause.
"Austin believed he could set up the park on 12 acres, mostly in a flood zone, with 34 RV slits. They couldn’t commit if someone would be hired to maintain the property. Their community bathrooms would be cleaned once or twice a week," Katie Joy reported. "They would not perform background checks for longer stay reservations. Austin admitted outside of someone paying they would know nothing about who was renting from them."
Residents had the opportunity to voice their concerns in the meeting.
Some were concerned that sex offenders would take up residence in the campground, which was to be located close to a daycare. Others didn't think that Austin planned ahead enough to show that he cared about operating a safe, clean place to camp.
"Several residents brought up that this felt like a money grab or a group coming in to become slum lords," Katie Joy revealed.
The plan was denied 'unanimously.'
And of course, this isn't something Joy and Austin were very happy about, considering the fact that they'd already invested their money in the property.
"Austin was upset because he already bought the property. He also never answered to concerns about potential sex offenders or the concerns of child safety — so odd for a cult that claims to care about kids," Katie Joy noted.
Looks like these two should start making alternate plans.
After spending nearly $160,000 in cash on the property, Joy and Austin are out a good bit of money, but it's clear this RV park will not be opening.
Fortunately, they already know a lot about the real estate business — hopefully, that means they'll have no problem offloading the property that they will no longer be able to use.
