HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP202000013 Special Exception 2020-10-21Wavertree Hall Farm Special Events
Special Exception associated with SP 2020-00013
Narrative
Applicant: Hilmasco Operations, LLC
September 21, 2020
This special exception application is submitted in conjunction with an application for a Special
Use Permit for Special Events pursuant to Section 5.1.43 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Pursuant to County Zoning Ordinance Section 33-44, the Applicant, Hilmasco Operations, LLC,
requests a special exception to Zoning Ordinance Section 5.1.43(e)(1) to permit greater than
150 attendees at certain Special Events:
e. Special events operations. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter, special events operations shall be subject to the following:
Number of participants. The number of participants at a special event at any one
time shall not exceed 150 persons.
The Applicant is requesting up to 350 guests for up to four (4) events per
12-month period; the remaining events shall have no more than 150 partici-
pants.
Because of the large size and layout of the Property and the scale of the riding ring structure,
events of more than 150 guests could be easily accommodated. The Applicant would like to
pursue approval to allow up to 350 guests within a twelve (12) month period for up to four (4)
of the 18 permitted events, with the remaining events being limited to 150 guests. The area
proposed for the events is secluded from any residences on neighboring parcels and is buffered
by trees and shrubs in every direction. Former owners of the Property used the riding ring and
nearby outbuildings for equestrian activities, which entailed gatherings in the proposed venue
area and traffic along Kingsway Road.
The Applicant has chosen to give up the opportunity to have 24 events per year, reduced to 18
event per year with the anticipation that having fewer events will help to support its request to
host one to four larger events.
Access to the Property from Plank Road involves adequate sight distance from both directions.
Kingsway Road will provide two-way graveled access to the event space, and parking will be in
areas not visible to neighboring properties. For events with more than 200 attendees, the Appli-
cant will require its clients to provide information on guests' transportation to and from the Prop-
erty and will work with hotels to coordinate shuttle buses for the events. The Applicant will work
with a traffic engineer to devise a traffic management plan for events with over 200 attendees,
including signage and people to direct traffic.
Enclosed as Exhibit K to the Special Use Permit Application is a sound propagation analysis
report prepared by Acentech. The report lays out the findings of Senior Staff Scientist Bill Yoder
with regard to the following scenarios:
1. Distributed music (e.g. quieter, background mood music), using 16 distributed speakers;
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2. 150 guests in the lower (south) outdoor event space;
3. 350 guests in the upper (north) outdoor event space;
4. 500 guests with 150 in the lower and 350 in the upper event spaces;
5. Dance music on the upper outdoor space with two PA speakers facing south;
6. Distributed music + both crowds; and
7. Distributed music + both crowds + dance music in upper event space.
Maps associated with the various scenarios depict the expected sound propagation to show
what activities could be carried on in compliance with the daytime noise ordinance limit of 60
dBA and nighttime (starting at 10 p.m.) limit of 55 dBA. Please refer to the report for details re-
garding number and placement of sound sources and sound levels. The study shows that all
variants listed above would meet daytime noise ordinance limits. All variants would meet
nighttime noise ordinance limits with the exception of outdoor amplified dance music (as de-
scribed in the report). The Applicant will turn off all outdoor amplified dance music on or before
10 p.m. In addition, the Applicant will use a house sound system, which will allow control over
the sound level (and frequency distribution) in order to ensure a maximum sound level output of
85 dBA, measured at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the speakers. Referring to Figures 213
and 313, the Applicant submits that events hosting 350 guests will have no greater sound impact
on neighboring properties than those of 150 guests. Even with 500 guests (which is not being
requested) and background music, Figure 613 shows that daytime and nighttime noise ordinance
limits would not be exceeded.
Based on the size of the Property, the adequacy of access and parking, and the compliance
with applicable noise ordinance provisions, the Applicant respectfully requests a Special Excep-
tion to allow up to 350 guests for up to four special events per twelve (12) months.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
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