Planning Commission recommends approval of expanded event program at Great Marsh Estate

The Fauquier County Planning Commission voted to forward an amended category 9 special exception application for Great Marsh Estate that would allow the property to host up to 60 events per year under revised conditions.

The application amends prior approvals to increase the annual number of Class C events, removing the tourist-home component and proposing a maximum of 60 events annually, with no more than 36 events at up to 200 guests and at least 24 events not to exceed 100 guests. Staff’s revised conditions limit events with more than 100 guests to Saturdays with no more than four Fridays per year and restrict events so there are no more than two events per week and only one event per week exceeding 100 guests. The approval would be valid initially for five years with the option of two five-year administrative renewals; staff also retained prior conditions limiting overnight stays and requiring an emergency plan approved annually by the fire marshal.

Property owner John Grewe, who appeared briefly, thanked the commission and staff for their assistance. Staff noted a revision per commissioner discussion that no on-site cooking for events will be permitted; all food must be provided by licensed caterers. After discussion, the commission moved to forward the amended conditions and recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.

Discussion vs. decision: Planning Commission recommended the amended special exception with conditions; the Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on the amendment and any time-limited approvals.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendation and the updated conditions to the Board of Supervisors for final action; the five-year approval and potential administrative renewals, if adopted by the board, will be monitored by county staff.