There was good news and bad news over the last month for a couple who want to build what they promoted as a winery and woodland wedding venue just east of Wright City.

Since they don’t actually plan to grow grapes or make wine on the property, John and Simeen Cook can’t technically establish a winery, based on Warren County zoning code. That means they need a separate retail permit to sell alcohol at their planned business on North Stringtown Road near Interstate 70.

However, Warren County’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Cooks’ primary goal of building a reception hall and outdoor wedding facilities on their 12-acre lot that they purchased in January. 

The Cooks operate Celebration Hall, a wedding reception venue in Jonesburg. 

The planning and zoning commission met Thursday, March 16 to debate the permit, and disagreed about whether a wedding and reception venue is appropriate for the area.

The Cooks’ proposal for the venue, which they plan to call The Renaissance, has drawn strong criticism from nearby residents, who are concerned about noise and traffic. Additional fears about drunk drivers on the road are at least temporarily stalled, since serving alcohol was removed from the current permit discussion.

The Cooks already have done significant work to improve the property, removing piles of junk and beginning construction on an addition to an existing house there. Because of continued objection and the possibility of an appeal to the Warren County Commission, John Cook said he won’t do any more major improvements for the time being.

“I’m not going to start anything until I know for sure I’m not wasting my money or time,” Cook said.

During a previous public hearing, several people said North Stringtown Road would not be capable of handling traffic to and from a wedding. The venue will have parking for more than 200 vehicles, Cook said.

Warren County Road Department Supervisor Gary Ruether told The Record that he went to examine the stretch of road in question, which is about a quarter mile from the North Service Road.

“It’s a paved road, and the section they’re putting it in is a straight shot, so there’s no safety issue,” Ruether said. 

Residents also worry that poor nighttime visibility at the intersection of Stringtown Road and the North Service Road will lead to increased vehicle collisions among Renaissance guests who aren’t familiar with the road. Ruether said the service road is controlled by the Missouri Department of Transportation, and therefore the county can’t do improvements for it.

The planning and zoning commission concerned itself mostly with residents’ other main concern, noise coming from the venue. After having visited the property, commissioners debated what limitations should be set on outdoor music and sound systems, or whether limits are necessary at all.

“We were out there on a Saturday,” said commissioner Don Tomschin, Hickory Grove Township. “People talk about noise, well we were talking in the yard and there was the highway noise, and then a locomotive goes through. So there’s noise (the Cooks) have no control over.”

Eventually the commission settled on restrictions of no outdoor bands or DJs, and any other outdoor music or sound system must turn off at 7 p.m.

Additional restrictions include no parking on Stringtown Road, only one wedding at a time with a maximum of two weddings per day, and indoor music must end by 10. The property’s septic plans must also be approved by the county sanitarian’s office.

When the conditional use permit went to a vote, commissioners split, with some citing strong objection from nearby residents as a reason for disapproval. Commissioners Cuddy Gildehaus, Becky Herbst, Jenny Hoffmann, Don Tomschin and David Heilein voted to approve the permit. Commissioners Gary Carter, Corey Johnston and Ralph Key voted against.

Area residents now have until March 27 to appeal the decision by submitting objections to the Warren County Clerk’s office.

For more about future plans for The Renaissance and local residents’ objections, read the March 23 issue of the Warren County Record.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated that the Cooks own Celebration Hall in Jonesburg. They formerly owned the business and continue to operate it.

Reception hall owners John and Simeen Cook are renovating a property on Stringtown Road near Wright City that they hope to turn into a scenic wedding venue. Warren County's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the property March 16.