Planning commission tables Woods Creek wedding-venue renewal pending state code documentation

The Cook County Planning Commission on April 8 tabled a renewal request for an interim use permit for Woods Creek Wedding Venue, a seasonal event venue proposed on a 240-acre parcel at 392 County Road 60.

Neva, a land services staff member presenting the application, told the commission the venue has operated under interim permits issued in 2022 and 2023 and that the current application seeks another one-year IUP to allow seasonal events from June through September (with possible October events). The application lists a desired guest range of "150 to 200 guests," but staff said it was unclear whether the structure meets Minnesota building- and fire-code requirements for that occupancy level and that prior approvals limited events to fewer than 100 guests while improvements were made.

Applicant Tamara Krowy, who identified herself at the microphone as the property caretaker, described renovations to the 102-year-old barn, including decks, new doors and partial electrical service. She said she has hosted two events while improvements proceeded, recalled one tented event she estimated at about 150 guests and another tented gathering she described as having many more attendees, and said music at prior events stopped around 10 p.m. with guests gone by about 10:30 p.m. "I was impressed because I was sitting there watching...they cleared out," Krowy said of a prior event.

Neighbor Anne Russ, who said she lives at 413 County Road 60 and is the nearest dwelling, told the commission she and her husband had submitted written comments and reiterated concerns about noise. "When people were outdoors with the tented celebration, we had to close our windows — it was pretty loud for us," Russ said. She also urged that parking remain on the west side of the barn to avoid people walking along County Road 60 and recommended on-site signage to prevent roadside parking.

Staff noted other outstanding items for the commission to consider: wetlands along Woods Creek and a prior condition requiring a 100-foot vegetative buffer from parking areas to the creek; the lack of on-site plumbing (the applicant proposes portable toilets until a septic system and pressurized plumbing are installed); and agency comments. The Minnesota Department of Health told staff that a food license is not required if all food is fully catered in and no on-site food preparation or dishwashing occurs. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the State Fire Marshal were flagged as having potential concerns related to occupant load and fire safety in older barns.

Commissioners questioned whether the continued use should be processed as a conditional use permit rather than another interim permit because infrastructure improvements and repeated operations suggest a more permanent commercial activity. They also pressed how occupancy limits and other conditions would be enforced, noting enforcement currently relies largely on complaint-driven processes. Several commissioners said they would like documentation from the state agencies showing the structure can meet applicable building and fire-code standards and assurances that prior IUP conditions (including indoor-only music and hours) will be carried forward.

A commissioner moved to table the renewal until the applicant provides documentation demonstrating compliance with state building and fire-code requirements and assuring adherence to existing IUP conditions; the motion was seconded and passed. The commission specifically requested additional input from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Industry to inform its decision.

The item will return to the commission after the applicant coordinates with state agencies and provides the requested documentation. The commission did not vote to renew or deny the permit at this meeting.