Jessamine County Board of Adjustments approves conditional-use permit for 'Barn in the Hollow' wedding venue

The Jessamine County Board of Adjustments on May 22 approved a conditional-use permit allowing Lisa Botkin to operate a seasonal wedding venue called Barn in the Hollow at 239 Davis Hollow Road.

Botkin told the board she intends to run the facility "not as a full time business, just as a hobby-type business," operating primarily Friday through Sunday and seasonally from March through Nov. 1. She said the barn is 40 by 60 feet and that she would cap attendance at 120 people and provide up to 50 parking spaces on the property, with overflow parking available on an adjacent lot.

A committee member made the motion to approve the permit, specifying hours of operation, a 120-person capacity, use of portable, handicapped-accessible restrooms that will be rented and serviced, and a prohibition on permanent signage. The motion was seconded and adopted by roll call; board members recorded affirmative votes. Staff told Botkin that the board office will prepare paperwork for recording and that she should obtain a business license before operating.

Board members asked about site access and traffic flow on the narrow, dead-end county road serving the property; Botkin said the road is passable and volunteered that an additional entrance could be added if required. They also confirmed that temporary event signage would be allowed for wayfinding on event days but that no permanent advertising signs would be permitted on the property.

The permit allows events with hours generally capped at 8 a.m.–10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and noon–10 p.m. on Fridays, seasonally from March through Nov. 1, subject to the conditions recorded in the motion. After the vote, staff said they would provide Botkin with paperwork and licensing instructions. The board adjourned the meeting following the item.