A couple who had been looking to build a winery and “woodland wedding” venue outside Wright City have amended their plans because their proposal does not meet county requirements. After meeting …
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UPDATE: Controversial wedding venue approved
Posted
By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
A couple who had been looking to build a winery and “woodland wedding” venue outside Wright City have amended their plans because their proposal does not meet county requirements.After meeting with the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission in February, John and Simeen Cook learned they can’t technically establish a winery because they don’t plan to grow grapes or make wine on the property. They had hoped to use the winery designation to draw attention to their venue and increase interest in using it as a wedding destination. They have withdrawn that portion of their permit application.Now, they’ll have to apply for a separate retail permit to sell alcohol.The rest of the Cooks’ proposal fared better. The planning and zoning commission approved a conditional use permit March 16 to build a reception hall and outdoor wedding facility at the Cooks’ 12-acre lot on North Stringtown Road near Interstate 70, which they purchased in January.The Cooks formerly owned and continue to operate Celebration Hall in Jonesburg. They plan to call their new venue The Renaissance, John Cook said. The name invokes a vision of artistic creativity and a new way of doing things, he said. Their proposal includes trails and spots for outdoor weddings within the mostly wooded property, as well as construction of an event hall and other scenic additions.John, an experienced house flipper, already has begun work with a crew to renovate and expand an existing structure they hope to use as a winery-style venue that could draw in daily customers. He said he won’t begin any more major improvements before getting a retail permit.“I’m not going to start anything until I know for sure I’m not wasting my money or time,” Cook said.ObjectionsThe proposal for a wedding venue and “winery,” such as it was at the time, drew the ire of area residents in February, when they attended a public hearing to express their concerns. There are three residences directly adjacent to the property, with other neighborhoods further north on Stringtown Road.Noise was a major factor for several neighbors, who said they had purchased property off of North Stringtown Road because of its quiet atmosphere. 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.”The Cooks requested they be allowed some form of outdoor music to play during weddings, and as ambience to cover traffic noise. The commission decided on restrictions of no outdoor bands or DJs, and any other outdoor music or sound system must turn off at 7 p.m. Indoor music must end by 10 p.m., with any events over by 11 p.m.Road safety also was a primary concern. Residents said North Stringtown Road is not capable of handling traffic to and from a wedding. They fear increased traffic will create safety issues.The venue would have parking for more than 200 vehicles, Cook said.Commissioners cited county road department Supervisor Gary Ruether in concluding that traffic wouldn’t be an issue as long as no cars park on the road and The Renaissance has two adequately sized entrances.Ruether told The Record he examined the stretch of road in question, which is about a quarter mile from the interstate’s 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.Additionally, residents worry that poor nighttime visibility at the intersection of North Stringtown Road and the North Service Road will lead to increased vehicle collisions involving 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.Potential for wine service had neighbors fearing they would be sharing the road with impaired drivers. The Cooks’ withdrawal of the winery portion of their application made this a nonissue, although it might resurface at the planning and zoning commission’s next meeting April 20, when it will consider a separate conditional use permit for retail at the property.Septic plans were a final note of concern, of how a property without sewer access could accommodate more than 200 guests at an event. Commissioners put that issue to rest themselves, stating that all septic plans require approval by the county sanitarian, Matt Flake, as part of the property’s conditional use permit.John Cook explained he has been in contact with Flake, and had a septic system engineered specifically for the property. It likely will be the most expensive portion of his construction plans, he said.Dudley Adkins, who attended both meetings, commented that the planning and zoning commission had been responsive to public comments.“It sounds like you addressed almost every concern we had,” Adkins said to commission members. “With the conditions, we really appreciate the thought you put into each item.”One topic residents almost universally complimented the Cooks for is how much they’ve cleaned and improved the property already. At the time of purchase it was covered in piles of tires and used tractor parts that had been dumped there, Cook said.What’s nextResidents have until March 27 to appeal the conditional use permit for The Renaissance. Appeals should be directed to County Clerk Barb Daly’s office at the Warren County Administration Building. If there is an objection, the permit would be put on hold for consideration by Warren County’s governing commission (not to be confused with the planning and zoning commission).The county planning and zoning commission’s next meeting is April 20, when it will consider a conditional use permit for retail sales at the property, including alcohol, which also would require appropriate liquor licensing. The planning and zoning commission meets the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. in the lower level of the county administration building.
