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Neighbors present petition and harassment allegations as commission recommends limited events permit for historic Cook Avenue property
Summary
The commission recommended a special-events permit for a historic bed-and-breakfast at 831 Cook Avenue with a condition to contain activity on the applicant's property, despite multiple neighbors presenting a signed petition alleging months of harassment, honking, firearms and fireworks; applicants disputed the characterizations.
The Planning Commission considered PL26-045, a request by Ian and Amy Lacks for a special-use permit to operate a controlled events venue tied to an existing bed-and-breakfast at 831 Cook Avenue. Owners said the permit would allow a small number of well-managed events per month to help preserve the historic property and generate income for maintenance.
The public hearing produced substantial opposition. Several neighbors, including Braun Stark and multiple Cook Avenue residents, presented a 15-signature petition and testified to months of disruptive behavior they attributed to the applicants: constant honking, late-night shooting and fireworks, and a July event they tied to the death of a mare at a nearby horse farm. Braun Stark described his family's economic and emotional losses and said the farm had suspended free community lessons because of ongoing disturbances. "We have been subjected to loud illegal fireworks... This resulted in the death of the horse at the horse farm," a neighbor said. The applicants denied the worst of the allegations and said the complaints had been raised previously in court and dismissed; Ian Lacks said he would not accept being cast as the bad actor.
After lengthy discussion the commission moved to recommend approval with a condition that the owners "take every effort necessary to contain their venue on their own property." Commissioners acknowledged the strong neighborhood concerns and advised the applicants to engage more broadly with neighbors before the Board of Supervisors hearing. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board for a May 5 public hearing.
