Caroline County zoning board affirms violation finding in Eventmakers USA appeal

The Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 2025 affirmed the zoning administrator's determination that Eventmakers USA Incorporated used structures on Meadow Event Park property without required zoning and occupancy permits during a July 11, 2025 concert.

County planner Robinson told the board the appeal challenges a notice of violation dated July 15, 2025. Robinson said the relevant review is whether the zoning administrator's determination that the event operator lacked required zoning and occupancy permits was correct under the Code of Virginia. He noted a June 11, 2025 zoning determination related to the site was not appealed and is final. "The decision on such appeal shall be based on the board's judgment of whether the administrative officer was correct," Robinson said, referencing the board's limited authority.

Appellant representatives said they had sought to comply but that a change in the county building official's approach created confusion and expense. Matthew Krieger, representing Eventmakers USA, asked the board to "let logic and fairness guide your decision tonight," and told members, "we did not endanger the safety of a single patron on the Sky Suite Deck or the Hospitality Deck on 07/11/2025." His father and business partner, Larry Krieger, described hiring multiple engineers and spending several hundred thousand dollars to respond to the building official's requirements and said the venue had been operated for years without similar objections.

Marlene Jolliff, vice president of operations for Meadow Event Park, said the park and its corporate owner have tried to comply with shifting requirements and that event timelines make some third-party approvals difficult to secure on short notice. Several residents and contractors who attend or work at the venue testified in support of the operator and described feeling the site was safe.

Caroline County attorney Tracy Glare told the BZA that its authority is limited to reviewing the zoning administrator's determination that permits were required and were not held; she said questions about the building official's performance or issuance of certificates of occupancy are for the Board of Building Appeals, not the BZA. "You're not the right body to be reviewing and delving into those issues," Glare said.

After public comment, a board member moved to affirm the zoning director's determination that the use of the unpermitted structures at the July 11 event violated the conditions of the special exception and the festival and special event permit. The motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the action; the chair announced the motion carried.

The board did not address whether the structures were unsafe; Robinson had said determinations about safety and building code compliance fall to the county building official. The notice of violation cited the lack of required permits and stated that occupying unpermitted structures "poses a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public," but did not make a building-safety judgment.

The BZA took no further action at the meeting. Members and staff discussed resource-book updates and membership appointment timing before adjourning.