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Washington County planning board approves Harriet event‑center conditional use permit with indoor‑music limits
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Summary
The Washington County Planning Board approved a conditional use permit to repurpose the former Saddleback Brewery into an event center limited to 100 occupants, indoor amplified music only (ceremonial outdoor music allowed for bridal events), set hours, parking and septic conditions.
The Washington County Planning Board on Dec. 4 approved a conditional use permit to convert the former Saddleback Brewery property into an event center, subject to planning conditions and health‑department limits.
Planning staff said the project uses 3.5 acres of a 9.77‑acre parcel and proposed reservation‑only events Monday–Thursday noon–9 p.m. and Friday–Sunday noon–10 p.m., a maximum occupancy of 100 people, and 3 to 5 employees per event. Staff noted on‑site parking of 20 asphalt spaces (including two ADA spaces), 10 gravel spaces and up to 100 grass overflow spaces, and two illuminated signs at the entrance and on the building. The staff report also lists existing utilities and a septic system on site.
The applicant, Tom Sarna, described repurposing the barn formerly used by Saddleback Brewery and told the board he agreed to staff conditions. Neighbors raised noise concerns: resident Laura Wylen said she could "feel and hear loud music" from a recent event and said she and nearby neighbors were opposed because it would harm their "peace and quiet." Ben Boyd, president of the Bridlewood POA, said the POA is "100% against any music being loud enough that it would disturb us." Jean Long, owner of Sassafras Winery, told the board that Sassafras does not use outdoor amplified music and said she prefers keeping operations without outdoor amplification.
Emily Arnold, who said her husband owns the venue, acknowledged she "did hire a band" for her Oct. 11 wedding but said the owners plan to limit events going forward and "we're fine just doing indoor events." Planning staff and board members clarified the proposed permit allows amplified music only indoors and permits outdoor amplified music only for brief ceremonial bridal music. Staff also told the board the county health department limited capacity based on septic approvals; staff cited a working limit of 32 people per day (which staff equated to 224 people per week) and said any increase would require septic upgrades and reapproval.
A board member moved to approve the Harriet conditional use permit "as presented" and subject to the planning conditions; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The board's approval is conditioned on the staff requirements in the planning packet, adherence to the stated hours and occupancy limits, and future compliance with health‑department requirements if the applicant seeks to expand capacity.
