The Butler County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a conditional-use permit for an event venue at 6333 Southwest Santa Fe Lake Road, ending a months-long review that drew residents’ objections over noise, traffic and emergency response limits.

County Community Development staff presented the application and explained that the county Planning Commission had recommended denial; the board was asked to reconsider that recommendation after the applicant proposed conditions intended to limit traffic and noise.

Residents who live near the property told commissioners the venue would intrude on a quiet, rural neighborhood. “We’re out there for peace and enjoyment and, quite honestly, for our health,” said Matthew Waller, a resident on Southwest Santa Fe Lake Road, who said prior unsanctioned events already disrupted his neighborhood. Paul Goforth, whose property shares two lines with the site, told the board he opposed potential commercialization and listed land uses the family would not welcome, including a truck terminal or gas station. Gary Kaiser and other neighbors described near-miss incidents involving trucks and said they already hear loud music from recent outdoor gatherings.

The applicant and property owners, Colt Page and Mike Page, disputed claims that regular events had taken place and offered operational changes if approved. “We’ve agreed to do all of that. We have done noise testing in our building with a full DJ setup with doors closed at 75 yards. You can’t even hear the music,” Colt Page said, adding the owners were willing to restrict guest traffic to the Santa Fe Lake Road entrance and close a secondary access for events.

Fire and emergency officials told commissioners the site posed safety and suppression challenges. Chad Russell of Andover Fire said with current egress the building would be limited to small occupancies without additional access and a sprinkler system. He and the county fire marshal said compliance with the state fire code (IFC 2006) would require changes, and that sprinkler systems or other suppression measures would likely be mandatory for larger gatherings. “My expectation is that we do comply with the fire code,” Russell said.

County staff outlined conditions they had prepared for reconsideration — including a single widened entrance on Santa Fe Lake Road, use restrictions for a secondary drive (emergency access only), event-building code upgrades, and music ending by 10 p.m. — but said the Planning Commission had voted not to reconsider because proximity to residences and other unresolved neighborhood impacts remained.

After public comment and discussion, a motion to deny the conditional-use permit was offered and seconded; the board approved the denial, concluding the conditional-use request would not move forward. The board noted the Planning Commission’s earlier denial and the neighborhood opposition as part of its rationale.

The denial closes the County’s conditional-use review for CU25-02; any future proposal for the site would require a new application and rehearing before county staff and the Planning Commission.