A special events and photography venue on Buffalo Springs Turnpike in Amherst County has received a special exception permit from county officials.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Dec. 17 to grant the zoning approval for Mark and Andrea Hamm to run the event operation on about 83 acres zoned A-1, agricultural residential. The property at 154 Buffalo Springs Turnpike is near U.S. 60 West and the Dodds Store Convenience Center.
Tyler Creasy, director of community development, said the county historically has deemed events and photography venues as a special exception, a zoning measure that requires public hearings by the county planning commission and board of supervisors.
Creasy said the Hamm property is farmland with cattle grazing and not many homes nearby.
"Staff does not believe the use would be a detriment to the community," Creasy told supervisors.
Mark Hamm said he feels his site would appeal to those seeking a smaller setting for gatherings and it can handle up to 100 people at a time.
"I think this venue would benefit the county," Hamm said. "The building is in a good area where it won't disturb any residents in the area."
In response to a comment from Supervisor Tom Martin about effects of rain on the site, Hamm said he has never seen standing water there.
"I don't think that will be an issue," Hamm said.
Jenna Lloyd Fisher, who grew up in the Pleasant View area, said during a public hearing she has known the couple a long time and supported approving their venture.
"It allows more opportunity to attract business to western end of our beautiful county," Fisher said. "We believe that having several options for our community is very important and also allows the opportunity to attract others from outside our community that would otherwise go elsewhere."
Fisher and her husband, Ron, own the former Pleasant View Elementary School and are transforming it into a center for weddings, events, social gatherings and rentals.
"These business support economic development for our county and promote job growth and opportunities that currently families are having to travel for and allows others the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of western Amherst County," Fisher said. "We are excited to work with them."
Supervisor Chris Adams said he has known the Fishers for a long time and agrees their property is suitable for holding events and photography sessions.
"I think it's definitely the appropriate use for what they're trying to do right here," Adams said.
The Hamm parcel includes a single-family home and agricultural accessory structures, and a stream runs along the northeastern property line, Creasy said. One of the barns directly behind the house will be used for events and a field would be used for photography shoots and overflow parking, according to Creasy.
A condition the couple agreed to is limiting the number of people for any single event to 100, Creasy said.
Hamm said photography sessions, catering for events, hair stylists and other similar business pursuits would benefit the local economy. No one spoke against it at hearings the commission and board each held within the past month.
Two residents who reside on Phyllis Lee Drive and are suing the county for approving a special exception permit for Three Oaks Manor, a wedding and photography venue in Madison Heights, spoke in favor of the Hamm couple's project during the board's Dec. 17 meeting.
James Edgardo Vasquez, one of three plaintiffs in that pending lawsuit in Amherst Circuit Court, said the Hamm property is an appropriate place for a wedding and photography venue.
"It's a large parcel of land, it's not in a neighborhood, it isn't interfering with traffic that comes and goes to houses where children run and play," Vasquez said.
The suit argues the board used "spot zoning" to approve a "party venue" in an area close to them that they feel doesn't fit in with the surrounding area and is a disruption. The board voted 3-1, with Supervisor David Pugh opposed and Chair Drew absent, in May to approve a permit for Austin Fisher and his wife, Alexis, to hold events and photography shoots on their five-acre parcel.
Stuart Gregory, another plaintiff in the suit, recently told supervisors during the Dec. 17 public comments the Hamm project is on an ideal setting of adequate size with no opposition from neighbors. He told the board the venue near where he lives the board "forced into our neighborhood" and many residents didn't want.
"In our case, our voices didn't matter," Gregory said.
He said the lawsuit was the only means to appeal the permit, the plaintiffs look forward to their day in court and he thanked Pugh for representing the residents and respecting their objections.
The county has filed a response in court seeking to dismiss the litigation.
Justin Faulconer, (434) 473-2607
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