Commission requests to‑scale parking plan and historic‑use clarity for Whiteside‑Pence event venue

Commissioner Catherine Grech and Commissioner Ken Johnson reported on a site visit to the Whiteside‑Pence property. Grech said she was "very impressed with the barn" and that it was "gorgeous and spectacular," but she raised doubts about whether the site can safely accommodate an anticipated 75 vehicles without a detailed, to‑scale parking plan showing a new entrance, traffic flow, parking access widths and distances to structures and lot lines.

Johnson noted that the barn is significant under the Comprehensive Plan's Goal 1, which advocates preserving historic structures and scenic values, and he asked the commission to factor that value into deliberations. Commissioners asked staff to request the applicants provide a scaled aerial or hand‑drawn parking plan (as used for a prior Whitlock SUP), label parking access widths and setbacks, and specify total parking square footage. Staff and the applicants also discussed whether the short‑term rental would always be rented with the venue; Leah Pence clarified that venue rentals would include the short‑term rental fee but that someone could rent the short‑term rental independently.

Commissioners asked staff to use Whitlock SUP language tying rental arrangements to the permit where appropriate and to review Condition 5 language that references an occupant load of "150 persons." No final action was taken; staff will circulate requested plan specifications and sample Whitlock language for the next meeting.