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Committee rejects Huber Road assembly special-use permit after neighbors and commissioners raise noise, safety and precedent concerns
Summary
A proposed event venue on Huber Road that would host up to 100 people failed to win committee approval after extended discussion about past citations, frequency of events, parking, egress and zoning precedent; the motion failed on a 6–2–1 roll call and will be revisited by the full county board in two weeks.
The Boone County Committee of the Whole on May 7 declined to approve a special use permit for an assembly/event venue at 8410 Huber Road after extended testimony from the applicant, attorney and numerous neighbors about noise, parking and safety. The committee’s negative vote sends the application to the full county board for final action in two weeks.
Staff summarized SUP 04-2026, noting the applicants (Tonia and Emilio Diaz) sought permission to operate an assembly venue for private events with a maximum attendance of 100 people; staff described required conditions including commercial building standards, parking, limits on amplified music (indoor only) and various health and code requirements. The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended denial (0–5) at the prior hearing.
Attorney Natalie Barber and applicant Elbia (Elvia) Soriano testified the operation would focus on private, ticketed or hosted events (weddings, graduations, showers) with indoor amplified music only, soundproofing and closed doors, limitations on event counts and cooperation with code and health departments. Soriano said the application was revised to cap events at 100 attendees to avoid sprinkler/suppression requirements.
Neighbors and several board members questioned past behavior at the property (two noise citations were acknowledged), the number and frequency of events, controls on parking and egress, enforcement of conditions, and whether permitting an events business in agricultural zoning would set an undesirable precedent. Commissioners sought specifics on how to track attendance, parking plans, and fire-safety systems for a venue of this size.
After discussion the committee conducted a roll-call vote. The results recorded at the meeting were two votes in favor, six opposed and one abstention; the motion failed. The chair reminded the applicant that the final county-board vote will occur in two weeks and encouraged continued staff engagement and neighbor outreach.
Speakers quoted: Applicant Elbia Soriano said, “I’m willing to work with you guys,” and pledged to limit amplified music and insulate the building; Attorney Barber highlighted the package of 14 conditions staff prepared that she said address neighbors’ concerns.
