Rooted Land Company’s event‑venue and short‑term‑rental expansion advanced to planning commission

Rooted Land Company LLC — represented in the meeting by owner Zachary Whitman — will take its application for a special‑use permit to the Planning Commission after the Board granted a motion to advance the case.

Whitman told the board he operates four short‑term rental units on his property and is seeking to consolidate/replace the earlier special‑use permit with a new permit to allow up to 16 short‑term rentals across the parcels and to add two small event venues: a refurbished covered bridge (used for small ceremonies and photography) and a barn/pavilion with a modest covered event area. He described the project as agritourism, with on‑site gardens, cut‑flower sales and farm‑to‑table opportunities.

The application covers two parcels listed in the filing (described in the packet as totaling 257 acres) and includes four deeded entrances. Whitman said existing demand has driven the request: he told commissioners he declined “at least 80 requests for…