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Planning commission approves Fisher Farms’ permanent event center with stricter outdoor-noise limits
Summary
The Dayton Planning Commission approved an amendment to Fisher Farms’ interim use permit allowing a roughly 9,000-square-foot permanent event center, while adding a condition limiting outdoor amplified music after 8 p.m. and requiring special-event permits for exceptions. Commissioners also sought assurances on stormwater, access relocation and parking management.
The Dayton Planning Commission on Nov. 6 approved an interim use permit amendment that allows Fisher Farms to build a permanent event center at 16900 North Diamond Lake Road, with conditions restricting outdoor amplified music and clarifying access and stormwater protections.
Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the amendment after a public hearing that drew neighbors who raised concerns about noise, drainage and traffic. The applicant, identified in the hearing as Amanda, told the commission the main building would be about 9,000 square feet and that the existing gravel parking plus grass overflow has worked for festivals, though she plans a permanent layout and additional handicap access closer to the building.
Neighbors said runoff from nearby developments has continued to flow through the area even during a summer drought and questioned whether current holding ponds are effective. At the hearing, resident Keith Grover said the holding ponds “shed water all summer long” (comment at public forum) and urged the city to review runoff from new developments. Staff said the project’s required stormwater pond is under construction and that, to staff’s knowledge, the site had no formal nuisance complaints during the temporary IUP period.
Noise and amplified music were central concerns. The applicant proposed allowing amplified outdoor music later on weekend nights because events commonly run later in summer; several commissioners and a neighboring resident pressed for a stricter limit. The commission’s approval includes a condition that outdoor amplified music end at 8:00 p.m.; the applicant may apply for special-event permits for exceptions, and commissioners signaled they would not charge a special-event fee at council level if adopted there.
On access and future road needs, Fisher Farms uses a temporary access point on North Diamond Lake Road — a county road — with a planned permanent access to Lawndale. Staff and the applicant discussed future county right-of-way needs and whether site improvements (parking, stormwater pond) would lie inside a county-requested future right-of-way; staff committed to verifying the pond’s current location relative to anticipated right-of-way. The commission clarified that if the western parcel of the property is sold or developed, access to Lawndale should be secured in perpetuity through the appropriate easement or construction trigger.
The approval included standard conditions to ensure compliance with city building and fire codes, verification of final stormwater engineering, and a requirement that events exceeding the IUP conditions obtain a special-event permit. Commissioners stated they would review complaints if neighbors raise issues after the building opens.
The project’s approval follows Fisher Farms’ year-round operation under a 2023 IUP that allowed tented events and seasonal festivals; staff said there were no formal complaints on record beyond the continuing need to complete the stormwater pond.
The commission’s action was procedural: it grants the planning-related approval and forwards any required permits and final engineering to administrative review and to the appropriate agencies for final signoff. The applicant said she plans to continue working with staff and neighbors on final site details.
