DeKalb County BZA approves use variance for Gospel Fair agritourism site near County Road 71

At a DeKalb County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, members voted to approve a use variance for Gospel Fair LLC to operate an agricultural-based family attraction on a 20-acre parcel on the west side of County Road 71 about one-tenth of a mile south of County Road 62 in Saint Joe. The board’s approval was conditioned on meeting county and agency requirements, completing a drainage-lateral reconstruction and obtaining required health and stormwater permits before opening to the public.

Staff described the proposal as an agricultural family attraction with on-site lighting (maximum 12 feet), a single sign on County Road 71, up to 342 parking spaces including overflow, a proposed barn approximately 101 by 210 feet, playground and picnic areas, seasonal amenities and a Saturday morning gospel message. Hours of operation were presented as Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., with a Saturday program beginning at 9 a.m. The petitioner said the lot totals 20 acres and that permanent restroom facilities served by holding tanks…