By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
A couple’s dream for a scenic winery and woodland wedding venue had a stark run-in with reality last week: Some area residents don’t want a busy new neighbor.John and Simeen Cook, who own Celebration Hall in Jonesburg, came before the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission at a public hearing Thursday, Feb. 16, to discuss plans for their 12-acre lot on North Stringtown Road near Interstate 70.Since purchasing the lot about a month ago, the Cooks have been cleaning up the property, removing piles of tires and used tractor parts. They plan to convert an existing house there into a winery and build a reception hall, outdoor wedding facilities and an accompanying parking lot.“We want it to be a place where people come and relax and enjoy themselves,” Simeen Cook said. “Our idea is to have almost a park-like setting, where people can sit and enjoy themselves.”They said they did not plan to grow grapes or make their own wine on the property.John, who is an experienced house flipper, already has a small crew gutting the interior of the house and constructing an expansion, in anticipation of opening the winery in late spring.If the couple receives a permit from the planning and zoning commission, he wants to have the reception hall built and open by Oct. 1, in time for Oktoberfest.The property is mostly wooded. The Cooks said they plan to preserve the forestation on the western side of the land furthest away from the road. That’s where they intend to create a small lake, woodland trails and a spot for outdoor weddings surrounded by trees.John described a vision of an artistic, idyllic weekend destination they are calling “The Renaissance,” with a courtyard, fountain and decks surrounded by sculptures from local artists and pleasing architecture against the backdrop of the woods. It’s something he hopes will draw hundreds of people to the area.“We were very successful with our reception hall in Jonesburg, and a lot of the folks that were renting from us were from St. Louis, or out of town, or out of state, even,” John said. “A 100 (person) capacity wasn’t big enough. We got a lot of events, but any time it was over that we ended up having to turn them away.”But where the Cooks imagine culture and beauty, some local residents imagine noise, traffic and drunk drivers.The land where the Cooks want to build their business is adjacent to three homes, with a number of others further north off of Stringtown Road. Several of those neighbors were among a crowd who came to the planning and zoning meeting to express their concerns.Primary among their objections is that Stringtown Road isn’t built to accommodate 200-300 vehicles to and from a single location, especially if the drivers have been drinking.“I don’t want to be a dream killer, but I have little kids,” said one resident. “On the weekends, we’re back and forth from the house constantly . . . What concerns me is drunk people all day long driving on the roads, driving with my children. That’s not OK for me.”Stringtown is too narrow, others said, and has poor visibility at its intersection with the North Service Road, creating dangerous conditions for that number of vehicles.“I spent 35 years in Harvester. I moved to get away from traffic,” said Ken Fears. “I thought I’d moved to a nice area, a good area, a quiet area. If you throw that many more cars in . . . I don’t think the road is capable to handle this kind of traffic.”Concerns also were raised about the noise that would come from outdoor music and wedding celebrations.“We moved there because it was quiet,” said Chris McCulloch.John Cook said traffic from the venue wouldn’t necessarily come and go all at once, and is usually spread over time even for weddings and receptions. Directional signs and additional lanes coming into the property could be installed to minimize traffic backup on Stringtown, he added.As far as noise, the Cooks offered to direct sound away from surrounding homes as much as possible, or eliminate outdoor music altogether.“We definitely don’t want any bad feelings. If one of the stipulations is no outdoor DJs and sound systems, then that’s what we’ll have to do,” John said.“I’ve put every single penny I’ve made in my entire life in this,” John said. “I need to take away any issue or complaint you might have. I’m willing to work very hard until I get that done. I won’t stop until everybody’s happy.”Rebecca Herbst, chairperson of the planning and zoning commission, said now that the Cooks and members of the public have had their say, the commission will consider whether to issue a conditional use permit for the business and what requirements would be included.“Most of it comes from the input (the public) gives us,” said Herbst, who lives on Highway 94 and has wineries all around her home.“Frankly, I like sitting out on my patio; I can hear music for nothing,” she said. “It’s not that noisy. It’s really nice. But that’s me.”
Commissioners voted to put off approval of a conditional use permit until their next meeting, after they have had a chance to visit the property and get a better idea of road conditions and the proposed winery’s layout.The Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission meets the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. in the lower level of the county administration building. The next meeting is March 16.Reception hall owner John Cook is renovating and expanding a house on Stringtown Road near Wright City that he and his wife, Simeen, hope to turn into a scenic winery and wedding venue. Record photo/ Adam Rollins.
