With wide open farm fields, river view properties and generally mild traffic, James City County lends itself well to outdoor events like weddings.
But with current county code, there’s a catch: Commercial event venues currently cannot operate legally on rural lands in James City County.
Now, there’s a chance hosting paid events on James City County’s rolling farmlands and scenic properties will be legal.
On Tuesday, the James City County Board of Supervisors will vote on an ordinance amendment to allow commercial event facilities to operate on rural locations zoned A1 – general agricultural – and R8 – rural residential.
“Over the last few years, the County has received a number of inquiries from citizens interested in starting privately run-for-profit event facility businesses on parcels in Rural Lands,” a memorandum from Principal Planner Ellen Cook states.
If adopted, the ordinance would legalize rural wedding venues, which are now prohibited in the county. It would also allow charity fundraisers, corporate parties and other similar events.
The proposed policy change surfaced as part of a countywide effort to explore alternative ways rural landowners can use their property to generate additional income as part of a grant-funded rural economic development study.
Wedding planner Jessica Aiken’s heart has been set on expanding her business in James City County for years. She owns Wedding Co. of Williamsburg, LLC, based in James City County.
Aiken hopes to purchase a wedding venue in the county and operate it under her current business name — but that can only happen if the Board votes for the change Tuesday.
“James City County is in desperate need of an event and wedding facility such as the one I hope to bring to the County,” said Aiken, who grew up in Toano. “I want to give back to the community that has shaped who I am.”
Aiken said her current business has not been affected by the county’s restrictions on operation wedding venues, but looks forward to expanding.
With the amendment, all venues located on arterial roads, like Route 60, would be designated Permitted Use under the proposed ordinance. Venues located on collector roads, like Forge Road, would need a Special Use Permit (SUP), which would have to be approved by the Board of Supervisors on a case-by-case basis.
According to Commissioner Heath Richardson (Stonehouse), once a Special Use Permit is granted, the permit remains with the property in perpetuity, even after a change of ownership.
The Planning Committee voted to pass the draft ordinance 4-3 in October 2016.
Commissioner Richard Krapf (Powhatan) expressed concerns with the proposal during an August 2016 meeting. He worried that even one SUP venue could cause traffic delays for area residents.
While the ordinance amendment would allow for commercial events, there are some stipulations. Events will be limited to 300 people – including staff, caterers, photographers and vendors – and must be on ten or more acres, documents show.
All activities will need to comply with county and state environmental restrictions, any food service or catering will be approved by the Virginia Department of Health, and restrooms will be within building code requirements, according to board documents.
Noise from events will also be limited. Any noise that can be heard beyond the property lines will not be permitted between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The Board of Supervisors will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Building F at the County Government Center, located at 101 Mounts Bay Road.
Aiken plans to attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak on the proposed ordinance during the public hearing.
“This venue would provide additional job opportunities, a venue for the community to gather and give brides and their families a beautiful space unlike anything in the area to host their dream wedding day in,” she said.
WYDaily archives were used in this story.
Fearing can be reached at [email protected].
