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Commission tacks 'Three Strikes' condition onto Starlight Banquet Hall event-venue amendment
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve an amendment to CUP 3-21 (Starlight Banquet Hall) to allow an outdoor pavilion and beer and wine coolers, and added a 'Three Strikes' complaint-based review, a request that the Board consider expanded hours, and a requirement to comply with all regulations.
The Lunenburg County Planning Commission on Jan. 5, 2023, recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve CUP 5-22, an amendment to the Starlight Banquet Hall permit to allow an outdoor pavilion, outdoor portable restrooms and the on-site consumption of beer and wine coolers on a 7.45-acre parcel in an A-1 zone.
Clerk Taylor N. Newton read the staff conditions and Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao explained the change in classification from a "Banquet Hall" to an "Event Venue" following the county's adoption of an Event Venue Ordinance in November 2022. Applicant Wesley Williams asked how the hours of operation would be enforced and said that patrons often dance late into the evening; "I could not do that or run a business like that," Williams said when told closing times would apply.
Chairman James "Buck" Tharpe proposed adding a "Three Strikes" condition allowing the Board of Supervisors to review and potentially revoke the permit after three founded complaints (examples listed included acts of violence or verified noise complaints). The Commission voted unanimously to add three conditions: the "Three Strikes" complaint-review provision (motion by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Pennington), a formal request that the Board of Supervisors review the applicant's concern about Friday and Saturday night hours for the building portion of the venue (motion Thompson/Drummond), and a condition requiring compliance with all state, federal and local regulations (motion Drummond/Jennings). Commissioner Trent moved to recommend approval with those additions and Commissioner Thompson seconded; the recommendation passed unanimously.
Clerk Newton advised that the board would consider the application at its February meeting and that the Planning Commission could not itself grant a variance to change hours; the applicant may request a variance directly from the Board of Supervisors. The record lists the parcel as 034-0A-0-70, 7.45 acres.
The commission's action forwards the amended permit and the added conditions to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
