The Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission voted to renew the conditional-use permit for the Knotty Barn event venue, approving amended conditions that extend the permit for five years.

Sarah Clark, a planner with the town’s Development Services Department, told the commission the venue has operated under a conditional-use permit since March 2022 and that a permit condition required renewal after three years. “The Knotty Barn event venue has been in operation since 2019 and has been operating under a conditional use permit since March of 2022,” Clark said, noting the site is roughly four acres in the Ellsworth Suburban Mini Farms neighborhood and that operations and site layout remain unchanged from the prior approval.

Clark said events are limited to mid-September through late May, the permit caps attendance at 150 participants and enforces a strict 10 p.m. cutoff. She also summarized the staff-recommended revisions to conditions of approval, including a clarified statement that development must follow the plans attached to the case and a new explicit five-year term allowing administrative renewal after a neighborhood meeting if no issues arise.

Applicant Nicholas Baldwin, who with his wife purchased and now operates the venue, described site improvements completed since 2022 to comply with code, including an added fire-suppression system, two restrooms and on-site parking. “We brought everything in the parking pasture,” Baldwin said, explaining prior ownership had allowed some street parking and the current owners moved parking onsite.

A neighborhood meeting on Nov. 25, 2024 drew nine residents, Clark said, and attendees “generally expressed support for the conditional use permit and cited their appreciation for the Baldwins for their good job at handling events and managing any potential impact.” Resident Ruben Valenzuela, who said he lives across the street from the venue, told the commission he had “no complaints” and voiced support for the current operators.

After public comment the commission moved to approve the permit renewal with the amended conditions recommended by staff. The motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor; the chair announced the motion carried.

The renewed permit includes the existing operational limits and the new five-year review condition requiring a new CUP application when ownership of the property or business changes. If no neighborhood issues arise at future review the planning manager may approve administrative renewal per the new condition.