Owen County BZA denies Holloways' use variance for Heartland Hollows Lavender Farm

The Owen County Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 20, 2025, denied a use variance requested by William and Rebecca Holloway for property at 9993 Newport Road in Bowling Green, concluding the petitioners failed to meet the county's standards for a use variance.

Board members read written findings of fact and conclusions of law into the record and said the Holloways had not satisfied the requirements set by the county's zoning regulations. The findings note the Holloways own parcel 60120309000023, operate Heartland Hollows Lavender Farm on the 10-acre site, do not live on the property, and have constructed a gift shop that the findings describe as nearly operational. The petitioners filed for the variance on June 6, 2025; the board recorded hearings and letters for and against the request and held hearings in July and on Aug. 20, 2025.

Members of the public who submitted comments or attended the hearing expressed both support and opposition. Opposition cited, among other concerns, increased vehicle traffic, the potential for alcohol to be consumed on the property, and broader impacts from commercial development near existing residences. The board recorded and attached letters and the hearing recording to the official case file.

The board's written findings reference Owen County zoning ordinance standards for use-variance approval and the county's public-notice requirements. The assembled record states that the petitioners had complied with notice procedures prior to the hearing. After deliberation the participating members voted against the variance by a 3-to-1 margin; the request was denied. The board then voted to adopt the written findings of fact and conclusions of law; that motion carried unanimously among the voting members present (3-0) when the findings were signed and entered into the record.

Board members discussed whether the property's circumstances might be better addressed through a rezoning application rather than a use variance and whether the site met the statutory definition of agritourism; those points were presented as part of the deliberation and are recorded in the findings of fact. The petitioners were represented at the hearing by counsel Terry English and board counsel was present during the proceedings.

The board's action recorded a formal denial of the Holloways' use-variance request; the written findings and the hearing record were entered into the file at the meeting.