Page County approves special-use permit for small wedding venue at Tanner’s Ridge with cemetery protections

The Page County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 17 approved a special-use permit allowing Flourish Real Estate (applicant John Copper) to operate a small banquet/event facility at 3434 Tanner’s Ridge Road (tax map 100-A-6 and 100-A-5), with conditions intended to limit impacts on neighbors and preserve an on‑site family cemetery.

Planning staff told the board the application was introduced before the county’s COVID-era zoning changes and therefore qualifies under older regulations; staff also reported a unanimous 5–0 recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission. The applicant said he reduced the scope from earlier plans and now targets ‘‘elopements’’ of 3–15 guests and ‘‘micro‑weddings’’ up to 40 guests, and requested a 50‑person occupancy only to allow for on‑site contractors and staff. “We trimmed our scope by 80% … we’re targeting a max of 40 people weddings and 50 people on the property at any given time,” the applicant said.

Nearby residents voiced strong concerns at the public hearing about traffic safety on Tanner’s Ridge Road, possible light and noise impacts, protection of the family cemetery located on Lot 5 and the possibility of future expansion. Opponents argued a commercial wedding venue is inconsistent with Woodland Conservation zoning, citing dark‑sky and low‑density goals. Supporters — including several adjacent landowners and the family that owned the property for decades — said the applicant had worked with neighbors, planned preservation of the historic chapel, and would maintain the cemetery.

Board members pressed staff and the applicant on enforcement, how occupancy is counted (staff plus guests), notification of neighbors, and whether private deed covenants would affect the board’s decision. Staff said neighbors were notified by certified mail (roughly July 20) and explained that county staff cannot enforce private deed covenants but can consider them; state law governs access to private cemeteries. At the board’s request, staff proposed additional language to condition 14 to require that ‘‘any well, septic system, drain field, or other component of the on‑site sewage disposal system serving that use…shall be located entirely within the boundaries of tax map parcels 100‑A‑6 and 100‑A‑5 and shall not be located on or otherwise utilize any adjoining parcels.’’

Following discussion, a motion to approve the special‑use permit with the amended condition passed. The board’s action includes the condition restricting septic/drain fields to the two parcels and relies on state cemetery law to guarantee family access to the graves; staff said it could also add a direct condition referencing cemetery protection if the board wished. The applicant and family members present publicly emphasized their interest in restoring and maintaining the chapel and cemetery.

What’s next: the special‑use permit is approved with conditions; the applicant must comply with the listed conditions, building-code and health‑department requirements, and any state rules that govern private cemeteries and on‑site sewage systems.