Portage County approves Railside Farm special exception for agricultural event center with conditions

The Portage County Board of Adjustments voted to approve PET2025-014, a special-exception request by Railside Farm LLC to operate a commercial garden and agricultural event center at 343 County Road East South. The board’s approval included conditions requiring a Portage County zoning permit, required County Health and township licensing, specified sewage-disposal and water-supply facilities, downcast lighting, and a prohibition on parking on County Road East South.

Staff framed the request under Portage County zoning ordinance section 7.1.3.1, explaining that an “Aggie Event Center” is a farm-based enterprise that hosts educational gatherings, markets and limited public events in A-4 agricultural zones. Planning staff noted wetlands and conservancy mapping on portions of the 123-acre parcel and described on-site soil testing for sanitary sizing.

Applicant William Sherrill, representing Railside Farm LLC, told the board the property is intended as a long-term sustainable food-and-farm site with a roughly 5,000-square-foot building for flower processing, a commercial kitchen, an education kitchen and a small retail area. “Our really goal is to educate about soil growing in a substantial garden,” Sherrill said, adding the project’s focus is education and small-scale food production rather than large weddings.

Neighbors raised procedural and site concerns during public comment. Valerie Budd said she received county notice late and that several neighbors reported not receiving mailed notices in time to attend earlier meetings; she also warned that County Road E is narrow and expressed worries about traffic, potential effects on private wells, and nighttime lighting. “I had no idea that there was a meeting,” Budd said. In contrast, a nearby landowner, introduced to the record as Mr. Oakley, spoke in strong support of the project and said it would be an asset to the area.

John Jescheski, representing the Town of Carson, told the board the town discussed the proposal at town meetings, reported no town opposition, and recommended conditions including downcast lighting and restrictions on parking; he also noted the town will enforce parking restrictions on town roads and urged reliance on county inspections for septic and building issues.

During deliberations the board added and confirmed the following conditions: obtain Portage County zoning and sanitary permits; secure necessary health and township permits; require lighting to be downcast and not directed toward neighboring properties (with additional setback from the right-of-way); prohibit on-street parking on County Road East South; allow minor site-plan changes to be administratively approved where no change to the special-exception conditions is required; and require specified sewage-disposal and water-supply facilities appropriate to the use and occupancy. The motion carried on a roll-call vote. The chair reminded parties that the decision is subject to a 30-day appeal period to the Portage County Circuit Court.

The board closed the hearing and moved to the next petition. The petitioner and neighbors were advised to pursue any further compliance items, permits and inspections through Portage County Planning and Zoning and Health and Human Services.