Residents of a scenic country road in the heart of Warren County are divided over whether to welcome or reject the business plan of neighbors who want to host weddings at their historic barn.Sherri and Gabe Bockhorst are seeking a county permit to use part of their property on Charrette Creek Road as a rentable venue for “country weddings.” The gravel road follows the path of Charrette Creek as it winds its way through a rural valley south of Innsbrook and east of Highway CC.Those who reside in the less than 10 homes along Charrette Creek agree that the valley is a beautiful, peaceful place to live. But they’re split on whether weekly wedding ceremonies at the Bockhorsts’ barn will put that peace at risk.The would-be wedding hosts applied to the Warren County Planning and Zoning office in January for a conditional use permit (CUP) to rent out their 1886 barn, which they transplanted years ago from Krakow. The facility holds about 180 guests.The Bockhorsts received approval from the zoning board in March, with the conditions that they only host three weddings per month and a maximum of 18 weddings per year between May and October. Music was limited to be only indoors and end at 10 p.m.Several property owners near the venue fear traffic will present a danger on the narrow gravel road, and that strangers will disturb the peace and beauty of the area. Opponents appealed the CUP, which now awaits a final ruling from the Warren County Commission.The commission convened a public hearing May 6 to listen to both sides of the debate. A ruling is expected May 14, said Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus.In supportThe Bockhorsts told commissioners that since moving to Charrette Creek Road 10 years ago, they have worked to beautify their property and wouldn’t do anything to hurt the value of their own or their neighbors’ properties.Sherri Bockhorst commented that no homes other than their own can be seen from the barn, and that they want to offer the scenic location for people to hold relaxed wedding ceremonies with family and friends.“From the time I was a little girl, I thought weddings were the most beautiful thing that could ever happen. So to be able to host them (at our property) would make us really happy,” Sherri explained.Despite opponents’ concerns that large weddings could invite trouble or create a nuisance, other nearby residents expressed trust in the Bockhorsts to be good neighbors and preserve the peaceful character of the valley. They praised Gabe Bockhorst in particular for tackling existing trespassing concerns in the area.For many years, properties along Charrette Creek have suffered from outside trespassers throwing parties in the creek, with drinking and sometimes drug usage, multiple residents said. The problem is especially bad on properties with absentee owners, they added.Supporters held up Gabe as a one-man neighborhood watch, who takes it upon himself to monitor the area and contact the sheriff’s department whenever there is suspicious activity. Supporters credited him with a reduction in local trespassing since the Bockhorsts moved in.“He keeps the area safe. I really feel very good with them,” said Emma Billing, who has lived on Charrette Creek with her husband Robert for almost 40 years.Fellow neighbor Woody Nothstine, a creek-side resident since 1975, said this kind of change should be expected as time goes by.“I don’t see a problem with this. I don’t see the excitement about too much traffic or too much excitement going on,” Nothstine commented.Opponents persistThe confidence of some did not alleviate the worries of opponents.Charles Krueger, who co-owns a property that his great-grandfather homesteaded, said his stretch of Charrette Creek is a frequent victim of trespassing. His property is less than one-fourth mile north of the wedding venue, and he fears more visitors will cause more frequent problems.“I think every year, thousands of strangers from outside of the area will see (our property) for the very first time. And they’ll say, ‘Wow, what a great place to come back and bring my friends,’” Krueger commented. “There’s just going to be too many people there.”Ann Sprick, who owns a farm on Charrette Creek road, said intoxicated drivers could pose a major risk to themselves, local drivers and farm equipment.“Especially the corner that’s right next to my house ... we’ve had people fly off that corner before, roll their vehicles into our field, and I’m really concerned about that,” recalled Sprick. She said the road has several steep dropoffs, making it unsafe for large groups of visitors who aren’t familiar with the area.Another local opponent, Amy Anderson, questioned whether the century-old barn is safe for guests and has the appropriate safety permits for a commercial building.An attorney for the Bockhorsts, Bob Zick, replied that the appropriate building permit and a floodplain permit have been acquired.

A barn on Charrette Creek Road owned by Sherri and Gabe Bockhorst, seen here staged for photography, would be a rentable wedding venue if Warren County approves a contested permit.

Submitted photo