Council alters operating conditions for Romaine Valley Venue, approves development plan with amended cabin rules and hours

The Jefferson County Council approved on first reading an amended development plan and rezoning for “Romaine Valley Venue,” moving Bill 25-0130 to perfection with new conditions on lodging and hours.

Councilwoman Arons introduced an amendment altering two conditions of approval. Condition 8 was changed to increase the maximum stay in on-site cabins from three days to five days and to limit cabin occupancy to event guests. Condition 11, hours of operation for commercial uses, removed staff-attributed wording and extended Sunday–Thursday hours from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. to 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday remain 8 a.m.–11 p.m.

The council approved the amendment and then voted 7-0 to approve Bill 25-0130 A1 on first reading and move the item to perfection. Supporters said the changes balanced the venue’s business needs with the rural residential character of surrounding properties; one council member requested the staff-attribution language be removed so the ordinance text did not imply staff’s opinion.

The amendment as adopted reads in part: “Cabins shall only be for guests of an on-site event. There shall be a 5-day maximum on the number of days any guest can stay in the cabins.” The hours provision now reads: Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.

Because the council approved the amended development plan on first reading and moved it to perfection, the item will return for final action at a subsequent meeting after the statutory perfection period and any required notices.