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Morgan County BZA continues hearing on proposed rural wedding venue at South Old State Road 67
Summary
The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 27 continued an application by Melissa Nanegyan for a special exception to operate a rural event/wedding facility at 1901 South Old State Road 67, asking her to return May 27 with a site plan, barn dimensions, septic plans and mitigation for neighbors.
The Morgan County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 27 continued the public hearing for special-exception petition S-26-03, an application by applicant Melissa Nanegyan to operate a rural event and wedding venue at 1901 South Old State Road 67 in Jefferson Township.
The board’s chair explained the hearing procedure and asked the applicant to state her name and address. Melissa Nanegyan said she purchased the property last November, that the house currently operates as an Airbnb, and that her long-term plan is to restore the historic home and rebuild an on-site barn to host weddings and related lodging for guests. She estimated event capacity “around 80 to 150” guests and said she hopes to have the barn built by the end of the year. “I will keep the music contained in the barn,” Nanegyan said, adding she plans to provide restroom trailers until permanent plumbing is in place.
Board members and staff reviewed technical findings and recommended conditions. Staff recommended a minimum 6-foot privacy fence along the southern property line, limits on event hours (staff recommended earlier end times than the applicant proposed), prohibition of visitor parking along adjacent public roads, and restrictions on live, outdoor bands. Nanegyan said she would work with some conditions but had hoped for slightly later weekend hours than staff recommended.
Several board members said the record lacked essential specifics. Committee members pressed for a clear barn footprint and dimensions, exact setback distances from neighboring houses, septic and plumbing plans, a precise parking layout, and a fencing plan. One member said the board needed to know whether events would be held in temporary structures before a permanent barn existed; Nanegyan responded she did not plan large events prior to erecting the barn.
After discussion, the board voted unanimously to continue the item to its May 27 meeting and asked Nanegyan to return with measurements, a site plan showing setbacks and parking, septic/permit information, and more definite plans for noise and traffic control.
The continuation does not grant the special exception; the board will consider the application anew when the applicant returns with the requested details.
