The Grundy County Land Use Committee voted Sept. 23 to send a negative recommendation to the full county board on a petition (25CBADash014) to permit an agricultural event venue and short-term rental at a Spring Road property.

Neighbors described the site as a narrow, unlit two-lane road with limited shoulders and close creek banks. “If you park cars on both sides of that road, you're never gonna get a fire truck or an ambulance down the road,” said Grundy County Sheriff Ken Bridal, who urged caution and said his office has responded to multiple calls at comparable venues in the county.

Several nearby residents and elected local officials raised traffic, parking and noise concerns. Maine Township Road Commissioner Bill Staylor told the committee he and neighboring townships would bear road-repair costs if heavy vehicles used Spring Road frequently for events; he emphasized the agricultural-events ordinance’s language that commercial vehicles over 7,000 pounds are restricted, which he said is inconsistent with large events.

Staff described the proposal and pointed out that the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously recommended a negative recommendation to the Land Use Committee after public testimony. Committee members voted to forward a negative recommendation to the county board.

Why it matters: The decision recognizes emergency-access, road-capacity and public-safety concerns when private event venues operate on narrow rural roads; a county approval would have set conditions for parking, noise and traffic control.

Context from the record
- The petitioner proposed up to 4–6 events per month (April–October), 9 a.m. setup, 11 p.m. teardown, and six corporate events per year with a maximum of 500 guests, per staff presentation.
- The petitioner submitted a sound study and mitigation plan, included tenting and limitations on amplified music past 11 p.m., and proposed temporary pasture parking with matting for wet conditions.
- Sheriff Bridal said past similar venues produced calls for loud music, vehicle trespass and an alleged sexual-assault investigation; he told the committee he could not predict exact policing needs but raised concern about nighttime operations on narrow, winding roads.

Ending: The negative recommendation will be forwarded to the full county board, which will consider the permit on Oct. 14.