Lee County OKs special-use permit for event venue despite neighbor right-of-way dispute
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Summary
The Lee County Board of Supervisors approved a special-use permit on Oct. 15 for Carolyn Raser to operate an event and wedding venue on ~8.3 acres, while acknowledging an ongoing civil dispute with a neighbor over road access and advising the parties to resolve the right-of-way in court.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 15 to approve a special-use permit allowing Carolyn Raser to operate an event and wedding venue on roughly 8.3 acres south of 527 Old Woodway Road in an A-1 agricultural district. Planning staff told the board the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval of the permit, contingent on usual permitting and building inspections.
Raser, who said she is a lifelong Lee County resident and a teacher in the county, presented a business plan and a five-year cash-flow projection and told the board she cannot apply for certain time-sensitive grants until the special-use permit is approved. She said the venue would host weddings, family events and community activities, would not distribute alcohol, and would use outside caterers for food.
The hearing focused less on the venue itself than on an access dispute between Raser’s family and a neighbor, Lonnie Hale. Hale told the board he is not opposed to the venue but said he and Raser’s family are in a pending civil dispute over the status and use of a farm road that crosses properties. Hale said he has filed a lawsuit and asked the board to delay action for 30 days to allow a court ruling; Raser said delaying could jeopardize upcoming grant deadlines.
Board members and staff repeatedly characterized the question as a private right-of-way issue outside the board’s zoning authority. Planning staff and several supervisors said the board’s role is to consider whether the land use is harmonious with zoning and county ordinances; they urged the neighbors to work toward a civil resolution or let the courts decide the right-of-way. Several supervisors said they supported the venue and moved to approve the special-use despite the unresolved dispute.
The board approved the permit by voice vote after motions and seconds on the floor. The county will require the usual building permits, engineering for disturbed acreage if triggered, and compliance with occupancy and safety codes before events may be held.
What’s next: Raser said she plans to complete permit work and hopes to open the venue, potentially by next summer. If the right-of-way dispute is resolved in court with access limited, board members noted Raser may need to pursue alternate access options; staff said civil court outcomes would control property access rights.