The Hall County Planning Commission on Monday recommended denial of a request to use a home on Shirley Road in North Hall County as an event venue.
The request from applicant Norris Development evoked heavy opposition from surrounding neighbors. A large number of residents in opposition were present at the meeting, while seven people, the maximum number allowed, spoke in opposition during a public hearing on the matter.
The home, located at 4726 Shirley Road, has eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It currently operates as a short-term rental property on Airbnb and VRBO. Owner David Norris told the planning commission he had received inquiries to use the property as a wedding venue, and potentially for film purposes.
In his special use request, Norris told the county events would not go beyond 10:00 p.m. if music was involved. Events would also be limited to 125 guests. Norris also sought a rezoning of the 7.9-acre property from Vacation Cottage to Agricultural Residential-III.
Residents were concerned about potential noise and traffic issues.
"As you know, sound reverberates across the lake, there's nothing to stop it," nearby resident Jim Gilbertson said. "Even if he says he's going to stop at 10 o'clock ... the party hasn't stopped. We will be living with that noise on an ongoing basis."
Planning Commission Chairman Chris Braswell said he believed the conditional use would be burdensome for the residential community.
Commissioners recommended approval of the rezoning but recommended denial of the special use.
The matter now heads to the Hall County Commission for their July 14th voting session.
