Council approves Gloucester Pines PUD amendment to allow private events with conditions

The Gloucester Town Council voted July 16 to amend the Gloucester Pines planned-unit development to allow private events on a portion of Assessor Plat 18, Lot 10, saying the use must follow detailed operational conditions before any event may occur. The motion passed by a 4–1 vote after more than two hours of testimony and council debate.

Supporters, including the applicant’s representative John Bemilacqua, told the council the nonprofit intends to use event revenue to support retired racehorses and has invested in sound barriers, parking plans and security. “We will comply with everything within that application,” Bemilacqua said, pointing to a traffic and safety plan the chief of police had reviewed.

Opponents and nearby residents urged tighter limits. Susan Bridges of Snake Hill Road sought clarification on attendee counts and parking, noting that a listed parking capacity of 100 spaces could imply far more attendees if cars hold multiple guests. Neighbors also raised concerns about traffic, noise and the narrow driveway access routes.

The chief of police presented a written review that flagged potential traffic congestion and recommended clearly designated parking, event-specific traffic management, monitoring personnel, and requirements that emergency access remain unobstructed. The chief’s review included measurements showing the 459 private drive is narrow and that some route configurations make two-way traffic unsafe without substantial controls.

Under the amendment adopted by the council, large tented events are limited to up to 150 attendees only on every other weekend in September and October and through the last weekend in November; indoor events at the existing residence are limited to 50 attendees and may occur year-round on weekends but are subject to an annual cap and licensing. All events must comply with applicable town ordinances on noise and lighting, obtain fire-department approval of occupant capacities and emergency access, and submit event-specific security and traffic plans to the police department. The council also made compliance with the town’s special-events licensing chapter a condition of the PUD amendment.

Councilors and staff emphasized that zoning approval does not authorize an event by itself: event permits and licensing, department sign-offs and any additional required approvals must be obtained before a wedding or other function may proceed. The council’s motion names multiple enforcement and review mechanisms, including the ability to revoke or modify conditions after notice and a public hearing if the council finds substantial noncompliance.

The council adopted the motion by voice vote, recorded in the meeting as a 4–1 result. The amendment and its attachments will be incorporated into the amended general development plan and recorded in the land evidence records once the conditions precedent are satisfied.