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Washington County committee sends resolution on Steuart family holiday display to full court after tense debate
Summary
A county services committee amended language in a nonbinding resolution aimed at the Steuart family's large holiday display and voted 10–3 to forward the item to the full quorum court for consideration amid questions about enforcement and traffic impacts.
Justice Massingale moved a resolution asking the Steuart family's seasonal operations to cease until they obtain a conditional‑use permit, a large‑scale development permit and required floodplain approvals under Ordinance 2025‑044, but the committee spent much of its discussion debating whether a resolution could change enforcement.
“This is just a resolution. So, it really has no authority unto itself,” Massingale said while offering an amendment to soften the language; the committee changed the phrases "shall immediately cease operation" and "shall be fined" to read "should cease operations" and "should be fined." Massingale then moved to send the amended resolution to the full quorum court; Justice Lopez seconded the motion.
Opponents said the county's zoning ordinance and recent citations already provide enforcement tools and objected to what they called a symbolic threat. Justice Lines said fines and citations are now in process and that property owners had been given notice consistent with the ordinance. Several justices also pressed for public input and argued the county should hear both neighbors and the business before acting.
Supporters emphasized traffic, road‑safety and neighborhood impacts. Justice Dennis and other members described seasonal traffic jams and emergency access concerns, and Justice Pond noted the county's zoning and large‑scale development review were designed to capture such operations.
After debate the committee voted to forward the resolution to the full quorum court for consideration; the clerk recorded a count of 10 in favor and 3 opposed. The resolution will next appear on the full court's agenda for a final decision.
The committee record includes references to Ordinance 2025‑044 and addresses cited by the sheriff's office in recent citations; the county plans further review of permitting status and any outstanding enforcement actions before the full quorum court vote.
