Council approves rezoning for historic Pondos property to allow event center with conditions

The County Council approved a small‑scale future land use amendment and Planned Unit Development rezoning on June 16 for a 2.32‑acre parcel containing the historic restaurant known locally as Pondos and an adjacent barn to be used for an event center.

Ray Tiner, Growth Resource Management director, explained the application would permit the restaurant to retain its commercial use and to use the barn and neighboring lots to accommodate event‑center functions, additional parking and stormwater improvements. The Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission had recommended approval with conditions. Attorney Michael Woods, representing the applicant, emphasized a reuse and preservation approach — not demolition — and highlighted efforts to limit impervious area by using grass overflow parking and shared cross‑access agreements.

A nearby resident, Patricia Moon, spoke in opposition citing property‑line setbacks, noise, and long‑standing site encroachment problems; staff and the applicant noted added noise‑abatement language in the development agreement and a condition requiring the applicant to resolve an historical survey "hiatus" strip before construction activities begin.

Council approved both the comprehensive plan amendment and the rezoning with the staff‑recommended conditions and additional noise protections; the votes passed unanimously, 6–0.

Next steps: the applicant must clear the survey issues and satisfy conditions in the PD agreement before pursuing construction or new activities at the event center.