Fauquier supervisors deny Sweet Leaf Farm short-term rental after neighbors cite repeated noise, safety issues
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Summary
After residents described repeated late-night noise, ATV use and large-event traffic at 6629 Beach Road, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted to deny a category 3 special permit for Sweet Leaf Farm to operate as a short-term rental/event venue.
Fauquier County supervisors on Nov. 13 denied a special permit for Sweet Leaf Farm, a proposed short-term rental and event venue at 6629 Beach Road, after neighbors described multiple years of noise complaints, alleged illegal activity and public-safety concerns.
Joseph Allen, a nearby resident, told the board he and others have reported problems since Nov. 4, 2021, including ATVs on the roadway, noise from large gatherings and—most recently—what he described as a wedding that generated noise complaints after 11 p.m. and prompted a deputy response. Allen said records he obtained via FOIA and photos presented to the board show repeated incidents and large vehicle counts at events: “I received that the conservation police officer keeps getting complaints about the same type of activity at night,” he said.
Neighbor Brian Kozlenser said the property has been repurposed to an event center without required zoning or permits, describing light pollution, safety concerns about use of a firearms range on or near the property, and a pattern of unpermitted improvements that indicated intent to operate commercially. “We did not ask for…our firearms range to be used by who knows who,” Kozlenser said.
County staff told the board the planning commission had unanimously recommended denial. Supervisor discussion emphasized respect for neighbors and adherence to county ordinances; one supervisor said they would not support any applicant who “has complete disregard for county ordinances.” The board voted to deny special permit 24-022571 by voice vote.
The decision concludes the special-permit request at the board level; staff and the applicant did not present a new, approved set of conditions at the hearing. The Planning Commission's prior denial and the board's vote mean the applicant would need to revise the proposal and pursue a new application to be reconsidered.
