Neighbors say unpermitted Hillside Farms events persist after hearing-examiner ruling; commissioners promise follow-up

Multiple neighbors told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 19 they are still experiencing frequent, large events at Hillside Farms, a private property for which the county previously denied a special-use permit. Speakers said the hearings-examiner decision and the appeal window have passed, yet events—and attendant noise and traffic—have continued.

Sherry Hill, a resident near the venue, said she and neighbors had filed complaints and received little response. “We don't know who to talk to,” Hill said, describing late-night noise, cheering and traffic that she said occurs “4 nights a week all summer.” Joni Blake, another neighbor, told commissioners the operation is “not agriculture” and said she feared a major traffic crash on the narrow country road; she and others urged county enforcement.

Ken Kornke, who said he lives about a quarter mile from Hillside Farms, told the board the hearings examiner’s findings were thorough and the commissioners had upheld that ruling, but he said the operator was “thumbing his nose at everybody” by continuing events and needs civil enforcement to stop operating without permits.

Meryl Bernstein and other neighbors provided the board with calendars, dated photos and a running log the group said documents dozens of events since spring; they said the venue had held at least 43 events in the year to date and that the typical response from non-emergency police dispatch is limited because the issue is land-use enforcement.

Chair Ty Mentzer told speakers the county would follow up and that staff had received written materials; he acknowledged prior email exchanges with residents and said staff would discuss next steps. Commissioners suggested discussing enforcement follow-up in the appropriate staff meetings and in follow-up communications; Commissioner Emily Klaus proposed conferring with legal counsel and suggested executive-session discussion might be appropriate for sensitive legal detail.

No formal enforcement action or vote was taken at the meeting. Residents asked the county to (a) identify a clear point of contact for land-use enforcement; (b) report whether the county has initiated civil enforcement since the hearings-examiner decision; and (c) provide timelines for any enforcement actions. County staff said they would follow up with residents and that the board’s office had received the written materials submitted during public comment.

The dispute centers on ongoing noise, traffic and alleged operation of an event venue after a hearing-examiner denial of a special-use permit; residents say they need clearer enforcement and faster follow-up. The board did not announce any immediate enforcement order at the meeting but acknowledged the neighborhood’s continued complaints and promised staff follow-up.