Washington County Quorum Court again considers event venue

FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County justices of the peace will decide today whether to approve a permit for a wedding venue near Greenland -- or appeal a circuit court judge's mandate they do so.

"If they appeal, then more waiting I guess," said Terry Presley, who wants to build a 6,900-square-foot wedding and event venue at 5241 Shaeffer Road. "It's so frustrating."

Meeting

The Washington County Quorum Court will meet at 6 p.m. today at the county courthouse.

Source: Staff Report

If approved, the permit will bring to a close an issue that has divided neighbors, undergone multiple revisions with planning staff members and resulted in a lawsuit against Washington County and County Judge Joseph Wood.

Presley, who needs a waiver because his 7 acres is zoned for agriculture and single-family residential use, has been seeking approval for his venue since November 2016. County planning staff members recommended approving the project, the Planning Board approved it and the Quorum Court denied it.

Presley sued in March 2017.

"I've been waiting two years for this," Presley said. "I didn't think it would be this complicated."

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie M. Pierce granted a summary judgment last month in favor of Presley. Today's meeting is the court's first since the ruling.

Pierce ordered the permit be issued, saying in part, the Quorum Court's decision was "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable" -- something some justices of the peace dispute.

Pierce's decision was partly made because the county didn't refute affidavits Presley's attorney provided from former Planning Director Juliet Richey and current Senior Planner Nathan Crouch, according to the judge's March 13 order.

County Attorney Brian Lester said in email the county submitted every document the Planning Department had, including transcripts and email. Those transcripts show the Planning Board didn't rule unanimously to approve the project and staff questioned if the use of the property was compatible with the neighborhood.

Justices of the peace Eva Madison and Daniel Balls, both Democrats, say they plan to vote to appeal instead of approving Presley's permit. The Circuit Court ruling means the Quorum Court can't go against the Planning Department's recommendations, Madison said.

Balls represents southern Fayetteville and Madison represents northeastern Fayetteville.

"We want to have professional guidance, but constituent voices matter too," Madison said.

At least 20 neighbors came to previous meetings to oppose Presley's venue.

Arkansas counties aren't required to have a planning department or a planning board, according to state law.

Lester said he will not make a recommendation about whether to approve the permit. The ordinance's sponsor, Justice of the Peace Ann Harbison, didn't return phone messages left on her cellphone Monday and Tuesday.

Harbison is a Democrat representing southern Washington County.

Justice of the Peace Robert Dennis, a Republican representing Farmington, said he's undecided about the event venue.

Dennis said Presley's venue looks like it could be compatible. Presley said he wants to have a nice facility and to get along with his neighbors.

"I want to have a park -- you know, with nice flowers and beautiful landscaping," Presley said. "I want to have a nice facility where families can celebrate special events."

Several neighbors plan to attend tonight's meeting, said Jim Lukens, who shares a property line with Presley. If approved, the venue will change the neighborhood, but the decision is up to the Quorum Court, he said.

Lukens doesn't plan to speak this time.

"For me, it's important that my wife and I be able to be neighbors with the folks that have the land next door," Lukens said. "That is certainly our intent, no matter what goes on here. I hope they have the same attitude."

NW News on 04/19/2018

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