By Bob Vlach
Woodford Sun Staff
Citing traffic safety concerns raised by neighbors and the proposed agri-tourism use as not appropriate for the area, the Board of Adjustments (BOA) unanimously denied a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a wedding/event venue on Fords Mill Road during its meeting on Monday.
Applicants Harvey and Margaret Watkins applied for a CUP to operate a wedding/event venue as an agri-tourism use on their property at 649 Fords Mill Road. Their application was modified and incorporated suggestions from the Agricultural Advisory Review Committee, which recommended that the CUP be approved at its September meeting following a site visit on Aug. 31, according to a staff report given to the BOA. Conditions of approval included parking for events being located in an existing grass area and managed by attendants who will direct vehicles, organize parking and help maintain an orderly flow of traffic; and that music must end no later than 10:30 p.m. so neighbors will not be disturbed.
Harvey Watkins told the BOA they hosted a family wedding last May after building their barn, which will be used as the event space, “and it went very well.” They were prompted to apply for the CUP after several people who attended the wedding asked about being able to rent the property, he said.
“… This is our home, so we don’t want it to be a commercial-looking property. We want it to stay the way it looks,” he said. He noted that about 120 people attended the family wedding, and that is probably the maximum number of people that their barn could accommodate.
Not knowing how many people may be interested in renting the wedding/event venue, Watkins said they changed their application to allow up to 50 events a year. To elaborate on his father-in-law’s response to a question from BOA member Bart Shockley, T.A. Rankin said, “Fifty events would cover every weekend. Do I think that the folks sitting beside me are going to host a wedding on their property every weekend? I think the answer to that is a resounding no.”
Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing on the CUP request shared BOA member Tandy Pryor’s concern about adding traffic generated by a wedding/event venue to Fords Mill Road.
“It is a dangerous road,” said David Wittmer. He also raised questions about who would ensure what happens during an event or wedding does not negatively impact neighbors.
Barry Ball, who said he has lived on Fords Mill Road for 16 years, also had concerns about traffic and who would enforce the conditions of the CUP.
After hearing their concerns, a daughter of the applicant, Ashlie Fraley, said a family member will be on the property when an event takes place to ensure conditions are enforced, and parking attendants would oversee how wedding guests are parking.
In addition to his other concerns, Wittmer told the BOA, “The cumulative effect of this really is taking away from the rural area, which the A-1 (agricultural zoning) designations meant to preserve. I don’t think what’s presented here is in any way going to enhance or protect that. And I’m seriously concerned that it’s going to have negative effects on the quiet and agricultural background that most of us cherish in that part of the county.”
The meeting was chaired by Vice Chair David Prewitt in the absence of Chair Tim Turney.
Short-term rental
The BOA approved a CUP allowing Campion Properties, LLC to operate a short-term rental at 6365 Clifton Road, which is located in the CO-1 (conservation) zoning district. Other than applicant Rodger Campion, no one spoke during a public hearing on the request.
Conditions of the CUP include a limit of six guests in the three-bedroom house, enough parking for three cars and no amplified music, with the main renter required to be above 25 years old.
Variances for home
The BOA approved front- and rear-yard setbacks so property owner Robert West Jr. can build a single-family residence on a 1.8-acre uniquely-shaped remnant lot with double road frontage on East Leestown and Davistown roads in Midway. Bill Moore, an attorney representing West, said the variances will allow this lot to be usable. No one else spoke during the public hearing on the request.