{"id":10225,"date":"2024-05-26T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-26T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/"},"modified":"2024-05-26T07:45:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T11:45:00","slug":"amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Amherst board approves wedding, events venue in Elon area"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\" id=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>A special exception permit for a wedding, events and photography venue on a couple\u2019s five-acre parcel in the Elon area received the Amherst County Board of Supervisors\u2019 approval May 21 in a 3-1 vote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Alexis Fisher and her husband, Austin, requested the permit at 219 Phyllis Lea Drive on land zoned A-1, agricultural residential, to continue operating their business, Three Oaks Manor. The Amherst County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of the permit in February and a second time in April by a 4-2 vote after the Fishers amended the permit to remove planned Airbnb use at the home on site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Some neighbors have opposed the operation they called a\u00a0\u201cparty venue\u201d and said would disrupt the peace and tranquility of a rural, scenic neighborhood in the Elon community while some residents who directly adjoin the couple\u2019s land have spoken in favor of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"inline-article-recommend\" class=\"lee-article-text trinity-skip-it\">\n<div class=\"ir-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"style-title\">\n<div class=\"block-title emphasis-h3\">\n<p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/#People_are_also_reading%E2%80%A6\" >People are also reading\u2026<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/#%E2%80%98They_deserve_a_chance\" >&#8216;They deserve a chance&#8217;\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/#%E2%80%98We_simply_do_not_want_a_party_venue\" >&#8216;We simply do not want a party venue&#8217;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/#%E2%80%98I_think_its_a_need\" >&#8216;I think it&#8217;s a need&#8217;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"inline-article-recommend-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"People_are_also_reading%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>People are also reading\u2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>The Fishers plan to use a greenhouse and pavilion for special events, including weddings and photography with conditions that include no music playing after 10 p.m., a 100-guest limit for events and a required parking attendant for events exceeding 75 guests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Alexis Fisher has apologized to county leaders for not having proper permitting in place for past events on site and said she has worked tirelessly to get proper zoning when she became aware of the requirements. She said Three Oaks Manor\u00a0is affordable at $2,500 compared to other typical wedding venues that range from $8,000 to $30,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She said of nine events held there to date, five had fewer than 35 guests and three had 50 or fewer. The venue\u2019s hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., parking would have direct oversight and carpooling is required, she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Fisher said previous events ended by 9 p.m. or earlier and carpooling would be required for events consisting of 50 to 100 guests. She said she and her husband have gone above and beyond what the county zoning ordinance requires.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-image layout-horizontal   tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-image tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-default tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal hover-expand letterbox-style-default\"><span class=\"expand hidden-print\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-6554aa7e-1a08-11ef-9cf8-ffe9f9446941\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"fas tnt-expand\"\/><br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-6554aa7e-1a08-11ef-9cf8-ffe9f9446941\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\">\n<div itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n            <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1487\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1063\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/55\/6554aa7e-1a08-11ef-9cf8-ffe9f9446941\/6650f2135f40d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C858\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/55\/6554aa7e-1a08-11ef-9cf8-ffe9f9446941\/6650f2135f40d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C858\"\/><br \/>\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Fishers 1.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full default\" width=\"1487\" height=\"1063\" data- data-\/>\n            <\/div><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>                                <span class=\"caption-text\"><\/p>\n<p>A view of the Three Oaks Manor site in the Elon area.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                                <span class=\"credit\"><br \/>\n                                    <span id=\"author--asset-6554aa7e-1a08-11ef-9cf8-ffe9f9446941\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\" rel=\"popover\" itemprop=\"author\"><br \/>\n            Photo courtesy of Alexis Fisher<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"clearfix\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWe promise to maintain and protect the current state of privacy and tranquility that current residents of Phyllis Lea [Drive] enjoy,\u201d Fisher said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She said the business supports vendors such as florists, caterers, restaurants, videographers, photographers, wedding planners and more, and serves couples and families desiring events on a controlled budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s well loved and admired by many. It plays a special role in the lives of so many beautiful couples,\u201d Fisher said, adding that not allowing it to continue would be devastating to her family and others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She said about 590 people signed a petition in its favor and the couple has put in self-imposed conditions aimed at easing some neighbors\u2019 concerns, including measures to minimize noise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWe hope you can see how this benefits Amherst as a whole and how it helps financially support our citizens,\u201d Fisher told supervisors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Three Oaks Manor fulfills a need for affordable, small-scale weddings that offer uniqueness along with other events such as baby and bridal showers, engagement parties and birthdays, among others, and would allow her to stay home and raise their children, Fisher said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98They_deserve_a_chance\"><\/span>&#8216;They deserve a chance&#8217;\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Megan Vaughan, who along with her husband runs a micro-wedding venue on Elkton Farm Road in the Forest area of Bedford County, said during a May 21 public hearing that she went through a similar situation as the Fishers last year by applying for a special use permit, which some in her neighborhood \u201ccame out of the woodwork\u201d to oppose after becoming aware of the zoning review process. The Bedford County Board of Supervisors approved the Vaughans\u2019 special use permit on a 7-0 vote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThe rules we set for ourselves are the same rules that the county set for us and we followed them with our special use permit,\u201d Vaughan said. \u201cThe Fishers would do the same. This is a huge tourism opportunity for Amherst County &#8230; Any time they have a wedding the local economy is positively impacted and this growth potential for the county should be encouraged.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Talia Coleman, who is moving to the county in the near future, said she had an engagement event at the greenhouse that drew fewer than 35 people and she has seen the Fishers jump through hoops to run the venue in a way that isn\u2019t disruptive to the area. Coleman said the self-imposed conditions are more than generous in her view and noted the county has processes in place to revoke the permit if it came to that point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She added most wedding venues cost an \u201carm and a leg.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThree Oaks Manor is an exception to that,\u201d Coleman said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Coleman said the \u201chardworking, dedicated\u201d young couple should be allowed to continue a business that brings thousands of dollars in revenue to the local economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Rachel Vest, an Amherst County resident and wedding coordinator, said the Fishers\u2019 dream to operate the venue is needed for the county. She said she believes in fairness, compassion and willingness to give entrepreneurs such as the Fishers an opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-image layout-horizontal   tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-image tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-default tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal hover-expand letterbox-style-default\"><span class=\"expand hidden-print\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-6619b058-1a08-11ef-8c10-c36b8fca5436\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"fas tnt-expand\"\/><br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-6619b058-1a08-11ef-8c10-c36b8fca5436\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\">\n<div itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n            <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1763\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1175\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/61\/6619b058-1a08-11ef-8c10-c36b8fca5436\/6650f214a6568.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/61\/6619b058-1a08-11ef-8c10-c36b8fca5436\/6650f214a6568.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800\"\/><br \/>\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Fishers 2.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full default\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/>\n            <\/div><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>                                <span class=\"caption-text\"><\/p>\n<p>A view of Three Oaks Manor.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                                <span class=\"credit\"><br \/>\n                                    <span id=\"author--asset-6619b058-1a08-11ef-8c10-c36b8fca5436\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\" rel=\"popover\" itemprop=\"author\"><br \/>\n            Photo courtesy of Megan Lacy Photography<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"clearfix\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cAs a resident deeply invested in Amherst County and the event industry I recognize the dire need for affordable venue options. What Austin and Alexis aspire to offer is precisely what our community lacks\u00a0\u2014 an intimate backyard event space at accessible pricing,\u201d Vest told supervisors. \u201cThey deserve a chance and it\u2019s up to you all to give it to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Jewel Newman, who lives next door to the Fishers, said she was happy to see the short-term rental component of the application dropped. Newman said the Fishers have been great neighbors and she supports their request.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Sharon Mays, an Elon resident and mother of a neighbor who lives directly next to the Fishers and supports the venue, said she has noticed past events have been quiet with dimmed lighting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful area, they worked so hard and I think that other people should have a chance to enjoy Elon as well as we do,\u201d Mays said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Two others spoke in support of the Fishers, describing them as \u201cstandup citizens\u201d who are contributing positively to the community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98We_simply_do_not_want_a_party_venue\"><\/span>&#8216;We simply do not want a party venue&#8217;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Ten residents spoke in opposition to the request, including Whitney Gregory and her husband who said operating a party venue in a residential area is incompatible with the surrounding area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Whitney Gregory said her father built their house in 1976 and it holds special meaning to her family, adding the events venue is \u201cbeing forced on the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-asset inline-image layout-horizontal   tnt-inline-asset tnt-inline-relcontent tnt-inline-image tnt-inline-relation-child tnt-inline-presentation-default tnt-inline-alignment-default tnt-inline-width-default\">\n<figure class=\"photo layout-horizontal hover-expand letterbox-style-default\"><span class=\"expand hidden-print\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-66f3d760-1a08-11ef-8d1b-9f7b909022b5\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"fas tnt-expand\"\/><br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-photo-target=\".photo-66f3d760-1a08-11ef-8d1b-9f7b909022b5\" data-instance=\"#gallery-items-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd-photo-modal\" data-target=\"#photo-carousel-942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd\">\n<div itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n            <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1763\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1175\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/6f\/66f3d760-1a08-11ef-8d1b-9f7b909022b5\/6650f2161b093.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800\"\/><br \/>\n            <meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/newsadvance.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/6\/6f\/66f3d760-1a08-11ef-8d1b-9f7b909022b5\/6650f2161b093.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800\"\/><br \/>\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Fishers 3.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full default\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/>\n            <\/div><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>                                <span class=\"caption-text\"><\/p>\n<p>A view of the wedding venue at Three Oaks Manor.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                                <span class=\"credit\"><br \/>\n                                    <span id=\"author--asset-66f3d760-1a08-11ef-8d1b-9f7b909022b5\" class=\"tnt-byline asset-byline\" rel=\"popover\" itemprop=\"author\"><br \/>\n            Photo courtesy of Megan Lacy Photography<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n                                <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"clearfix\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not against small business or hard work,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cWe\u2019d love to help the applicant find\u00a0a parcel where their dream to run a venue makes sense but operating 10 party events since December 2022 has created excessive traffic, noise and repeated U-turns at the end of the street where we are and in our driveway.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She said 14 properties of 24 adults with more than 630 years combined residency in that area oppose the project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cThere are no conditions that you can put on a party venue that might sway us toward approval,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cWe simply do not want a party venue in our neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>She said the topography of the Tobacco Row Mountains foothills creates an amphitheater-like backdrop for sound to be easily heard among neighbors in the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWe hear it all and it\u2019s much different than a neighbor throwing their own personal occasional milestone party,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cThose are very rare and not for profit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Gregory said her family\u2019s \u201cbreathtaking\u201d view of Tobacco Row Mountain is negatively impacted and said she feels the board\u2019s \u201cforever\u201d decision to approve it contradicts the county comprehensive plan for growth and development as far as protecting the county\u2019s natural beauty and rural character.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>John Leddingham, who also lives in that area, said the planning commission had good reasons for shooting it down on two occasions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a party venue\u00a0\u2014 period,\u201d Leddingham told the board. \u201cIf you all allow something like this to go on, there will be other people &#8230; who want to put venues like this throughout subdivisions in Amherst and you could end up having a whole bunch of micro venues like that that will create problems within subdivisions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>His son, Joseph Leddingham, said he supports small business but expressed concerns with noise and other effects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cA wedding venue, in my opinion, is probably pushing the boundaries of the five acres of this residential property,\u201d Joseph Leddingham said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Greg Freshour, who lives on nearby Kimberlea Road, said he moved to that area for the peace, quiet and privacy with views of Tobacco Row Mountain that area provides. He said the petition of those opposed shows 82% of neighbors in that area do not want it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cWedding venues are made for large parcels where neighbors will not be disturbed, not on a small five-acre plot surrounded by several homes,\u201d Freshour said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Other speakers raised concern with the effects on water capacity and quality, the environment and wear and tear on private roads that residents pay to maintain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98I_think_its_a_need\"><\/span>&#8216;I think it&#8217;s a need&#8217;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Supervisor Tom Martin said he understands the neighbors\u2019 concerns and spoke of where he lives in Clifford on a road where a local church brings much traffic. He also noted landowners directly adjacent to the Fishers are not opposed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cI think this young couple put a lot of investment in it,\u201d Martin said, complimenting the venue\u2019s design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Martin said when his oldest daughter got married the family couldn\u2019t find a smaller venue and used a local event space that cost a lot more than $2,500 that the Fishers charge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s a need,\u201d Martin said of affordable wedding venues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>At Martin\u2019s suggestion, the board nixed a proposed condition that the Fishers shall mail notifications 30 days in advance of any special event to all property owners on Phyllis Lea Drive and Kimberlea Road, adding that would likely lead to problems that in his view are unnecessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Supervisor David Pugh, the lone no vote, said he thinks the county is doing a disservice to the community by allowing it. He said allowing up to 100 people for events on a five-acre tract will bring noise and other issues, and such venues should be on much larger tracts without any homes nearby.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cI just don\u2019t think it\u2019s the right spot for a wedding venue,\u201d Pugh said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s harmonious with the neighborhood. I think it\u2019s going to be a detriment to everyone who lives around it, including their way of life, their peace &#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Vice Chair Claudia Tucker said she initially leaned to opposing it and finds it hard to not back the commission\u2019s recommendation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cBut I also support small business,\u201d Tucker said, adding the county\u2019s ability to revoke the permit should be an incentive for the Fishers to follow through on their word.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>Supervisor Chris Adams, who represents the county\u2019s District 3 where the venue is located and was the deciding yes vote, said he is blessed to live in the Pleasant View area and put himself in the position of how he would feel if the business was locating near him. Adams said he is \u201cin awe\u201d of the investment the Fishers have put into the property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lee-article-text\">\n<p>\u201cI have not taken this zoning request lightly,\u201d Adams said. \u201c&#8230; They have spent a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of money and it seems like they put a lot of pride in what they have.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsadvance.com\/news\/community\/new-era-progress\/amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-elon-area\/article_942ee2a2-1a07-11ef-9ef3-67cdac26c5dd.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A special exception permit for a wedding, events and photography venue on a couple\u2019s five-acre parcel in the Elon area received the Amherst County Board of Supervisors\u2019 approval May 21 in a 3-1 vote. Alexis Fisher and her husband, Austin, requested the permit at 219 Phyllis Lea Drive on land zoned A-1, agricultural residential, to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191570323,"featured_media":10226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1407],"tags":[4850,4851,2882,3856,4852,3334,4849,1943,4848,1907],"class_list":["post-10225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weddings","tag-amherst","tag-approves","tag-area","tag-board","tag-elon","tag-events","tag-subdivision-land","tag-venue","tag-virginia-department-of-transportation","tag-wedding"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pciheA-2EV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6054,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/permit-to-turn-former-kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to-be-decided-by-mitchell-city-council\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":0},"title":"Permit to turn former Kelley property into wedding venue to be decided by Mitchell City Council","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"September 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Mitchell City Council will consider granting a conditional use permit on Monday that would allow a million-dollar property just west of Lake Mitchell to transform into a wedding venue.After sitting on the market for two years, the former Kelley house attracted a buyer in July. While the council approved\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wedding Venue&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wedding Venue","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/weddings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Permit to turn former Kelley property into wedding venue to be decided by Mitchell City Council","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Permit-to-turn-former-Kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to.jpg?fit=1200%2C583&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Permit-to-turn-former-Kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to.jpg?fit=1200%2C583&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Permit-to-turn-former-Kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to.jpg?fit=1200%2C583&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Permit-to-turn-former-Kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to.jpg?fit=1200%2C583&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Permit-to-turn-former-Kelley-property-into-wedding-venue-to.jpg?fit=1200%2C583&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9420,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":1},"title":"Innisfil wedding venue operating without permits, council hears","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"December 26, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Gilford-based business holds 23 events in 2023 without proper approvals from the municipality A wedding venue near Gilford is hoping the Town of Innisfil will want to say \u201cI do\u201d to its zoning bylaw amendment request. The venue at 1176 2nd Line is requesting a change for a portion of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wedding Venue&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wedding Venue","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/weddings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Innisfil wedding venue operating without permits, council hears","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears.JPGw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears.JPGw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears.JPGw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears.JPGw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Innisfil-wedding-venue-operating-without-permits-council-hears.JPGw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10963,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":2},"title":"Wedding venue built without permits seeks retroactive approvals","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"November 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Buildings constructed without permits on lake property, wedding events held without permits\/zoning and a building was used as a short-term rental without a licence A proposal to legalize\u00a0a combination wedding venue and short term accommodation\/camping business near Lake Eugenia has generated significant opposition and concern from local residents and neighbours.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wedding Venue&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wedding Venue","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/weddings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wedding venue built without permits seeks retroactive approvals","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Wedding-venue-built-without-permits-seeks-retroactive-approvals.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10659,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/from-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to-be-aware-of-this-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":3},"title":"From wedding venue to housing development: 5 public notices to be aware of this week","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"July 21, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"An application, made by Beach House Developments Ltd, which hoped to knock down a home on Beach Road in Scratby and build nine more has been rejected. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has rejected the plans due to it\u00a0\"conflicts with the aims of sustainable development\" as the council has a vision\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wedding Venue&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wedding Venue","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/weddings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"From wedding venue to housing development: 5 public notices to be aware of this week","src":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/From-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/From-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to 1x, https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/From-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to 1.5x, https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/From-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to 2x, https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/From-wedding-venue-to-housing-development-5-public-notices-to 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6174,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/update-decatur-city-commission-denies-conditional-use-permit-for-boutique-inn\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":4},"title":"UPDATE: Decatur City Commission denies conditional use permit for boutique inn","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"November 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This story has been updated.\u00a0 Decatur, GA \u2014 The Decatur City Commission, at its Nov. 7 meeting, denied a conditional use permit to allow an eight-bedroom lodging house to operate as a boutique inn at 620 Pinetree Drive. The vote was unanimous, with commissioners saying the project had too many\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"UPDATE: Decatur City Commission denies conditional use permit for boutique inn","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UPDATE-Decatur-City-Commission-denies-conditional-use-permit-for-boutique.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UPDATE-Decatur-City-Commission-denies-conditional-use-permit-for-boutique.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UPDATE-Decatur-City-Commission-denies-conditional-use-permit-for-boutique.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11576,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-skyliner-lodge-staying-open-after-closure-threat\/","url_meta":{"origin":10225,"position":5},"title":"Need a last-minute wedding venue? Skyliner Lodge staying open after closure threat","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"May 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"BEND, Ore. -- The historic Skyliner Lodge will not be closing after all. An organization has stepped up to assume operational and fiscal responsibility, which means the space many use for weddings, family reunions and more will continue to operate.Nature Connect Central Oregon, formerly known as\u00a0Central Oregon's Children's Forest, is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wedding Venue&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wedding Venue","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/weddings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Need a last-minute wedding venue? Skyliner Lodge staying open after closure threat","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-Skyliner-Lodge-staying-open-after.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-Skyliner-Lodge-staying-open-after.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-Skyliner-Lodge-staying-open-after.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-Skyliner-Lodge-staying-open-after.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Need-a-last-minute-wedding-venue-Skyliner-Lodge-staying-open-after.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Amherst-board-approves-wedding-events-venue-in-Elon-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/191570323"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10225"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10225\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}