Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Event Venue Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves conditions for Starlight Banquet Hall amendment, asks Board to review hours
Summary
The Commission recommended the Board of Supervisors approve an amendment to CUP 3-21 for Starlight Banquet Hall (CUP 5‑22) to convert it to an Event Venue with an outdoor pavilion and permit beer and wine coolers, adding a 'Three Strikes' complaint condition and asking the Board to consider adjusting weekend hours.
The Lunenburg County Planning Commission on Jan. 5 voted unanimously to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit 5‑22, an amendment for Starlight Banquet Hall (applicants Wesley and Cassandra Williams), subject to three added conditions and a referral to the Board of Supervisors on operating‑hours concerns.
The amendment requests adding an outdoor pavilion, outdoor porta‑johns and permission to allow beer and wine coolers on the property at 25 Jackson Drive (parcel 034‑0A‑0‑70, 7.45 acres, A‑1 Agricultural zone). Wesley Williams raised concerns about the reduced hours imposed by the Event Venue definition adopted in November 2022 and said he could not run the business if patrons who come to dance must be told to leave an hour later. "I would be better off to stick with the ‘Banquet Hall’ and not serve alcohol," Williams said, noting the change affects how he operates the business.
Clerk Taylor N. Newton and Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao explained that the Commission may recommend changes but that variances or modifications to hours must be requested from and decided by the Board of Supervisors. DiStanislao summarized the ordinance change and variance process for the applicant.
The Commission added three conditions by unanimous votes: (1) a "Three Strikes" provision that allows the Board to review and potentially revoke the CUP after three founded complaints (language to be finalized by clerk and county attorney); (2) a formal request that the Board of Supervisors hear the applicant’s concern about Friday and Saturday evening hours for the building (not the pavilion); and (3) a requirement to comply with all state, federal and local regulations. Commissioner Trent then moved — and Commissioner Thompson seconded — to recommend approval to the Board with the noted conditions; the motion passed unanimously.
The amendment will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action at its February meeting; the Commission recommended the Board consider the applicant’s hours concern when reviewing the application.
