As a resident of Frederick County/Stonewall district, I would like to offer my opinion on Eli Williams’s request for a conditional permit for his event center. As a mom who planned her daughter’s wedding just a few years ago, I believe Frederick county would benefit greatly from this venue. As the county continues to grow, we are in need of more venues, such as Eli’s, to accommodate the population growth. This will also bring additional business and revenue to Frederick County/Winchester as people will be utilizing local overnight accommodations and eating establishments.
Eli is an honest and hard-working young man. It is refreshing to see a man, only twenty-four years old, pioneer his way, not only into the events industry, but into the working class of citizens and entrepreneurs. With so many young people unable or unwilling to commit to jobs today, Eli is an excellent example of determination and could serve as a role model for our local youth and young adults. I hope you will consider these comments and vote in Eli’s favor. Thank you for your time.
I and my family support this application fully. Eli Williams has greatly improved this property that less than two years ago laid in a state of ruin. The house, barn and outbuildings were falling down and were eyesores for everyone in the area. Eli has restored the property and structures and has improved the value of all neighboring properties tremendously. The intended use as a venue will not impede any person’s peace, quiet and tranquility in the area. To the contrary, the use as a venue will allow others the ability to experience the beautiful views, sights and sounds of this amazing property. The Planning Commission should not allow the comments of individuals that have been rallied for political and other selfish reasons to deny the owner’s application.
My husband and I live close to the location of the venue. Eli has greatly improved the property that the house and barn are on, and has restored the buildings that used to be in disrepair. We believe having a few events at the location will not adversely affect anything. We also believe he will be respectful of the people in the surrounding area and abide by any county ordinances.
My name is Julie Pineiro, I live at 234 Conifer Lane in the Back Creek District, and Mr. Williams’ property is visible from my house. I am opposed to this Conditional Use Permit application for a number of reasons. My husband and I moved to Frederick County from Pennsylvania in 2020, and we intentionally chose to live in the County and not in Winchester because we loved the quiet, bucolic environment out here in the country. We live on the top of a hill and have noticed that sound travels extensively in our area, particularly when emanating from sources below our house. Mr. Williams’ barn is situated in a low-lying area of the neighborhood, and I am concerned that noise and loud music from his proposed wedding venue will affect the peace and quiet that we and our neighbors value. I also want to stress that I use the word “neighborhood” deliberately. While this area is decidedly rural in character, it is also residential, and I do not believe that a facility that could potentially host up to 200 people per event fits into this landscape, whether you are considering it from the standpoint of a residential neighborhood or from a peaceful agriculturally-oriented region. I urge you, the members of the Planning Commission, to deny this application. Thank you for your time.
I grew up on the Fawcett/Overhill (not Overlook) Farm, in Back Creek District. I always enjoyed the serene view of this barn & the black angus cattle in the barnyard. Now owner of 6 neighboring building lots (1 is adjacent to the Williams property) I strongly oppose turning this barn into an event center. Eli has already done this without approval! What makes this board think he will abide by any other guidelines imposed? Wedding music amplified until 9:00 is unacceptable in a residential/rural setting, plus 200 people's voices will carry across the countryside, with 100+ vehicles departing up until midnight. It is recommended to have parking on the east side so as not to impact the 'viewshed of the Fawcett/Overlook Farm'. I don't see how upwards of 200 vehicles can be hidden on one end of this barn. Plus what will keep them from exiting on Epistle Lane (a residential driveway)? Eli's permit request states 'a couple of wedding type events'. Is that per year, month, week? Your proposal ref 'screened' toilets. What is what? Will these also be on the east end of the barn along with the 100-200 vehicles?
Most importantly, does anyone care about preserving the historical home of the Fawcett family on land granted by Lord Fairfax? This home was restored to historical standards and has been on Preservation Tours. Our property values will certainly decrease with the eyesore of cars, trucks and portable bathrooms, plus loud music/vehicles/voices that you have no control over. Please, please, do not approve something so devastating to our peaceful/rural countryside just because you have a person who has already done this without your approval. I also speak for my son James Degnan IV who owns property, part of the Fawcett/Carroll Farm and had previously planned to build a home on his acreage, but will reconsider if this gets approved. I live too far away currently to attend this meeting upon short notice, but know that my brother will be there to speak for the family.
We oppose this application for several reasons:1 The sign only appeared today which doesn't allow any time to notify the neighbors to oppose this application. 2. I have surgery the next morning in Reston at 6 AM which doesn't allow me to attend the meeting to speak in person.
3. If I could speak I would oppose this application on the basis that this is a residential area with multiple homes being built surrounding this property and he new homeowners don't have a chance to respond.
4. We purchased here 15 years ago because of the quiet nature and now we hear construction all day -- we don't need to hear music every night
.5. From a road standpoint Gough Rd is narrow and most of the time one car has to stop to let another one by. Additionally when exiting Gough onto Cedar Creek Grade turning left a driver has to pull out into Cedar Creek to see around the corner.
6. This property is not Rural -- it's presently being used for a landscaping business. Planning Commission -7.
7. We don't need another event center in a residential area -- there are multiple in commercial areas which are adequate.
8. Again this is totally a residential area with homes valued at $400,000 to $2,000,000+ we don't need an event center right in the middle of a residential area.
Dear sirs,
As a resident of Frederick County/Stonewall district, I would like to offer my opinion on Eli Williams’s request for a conditional permit for his event center. As a mom who planned her daughter’s wedding just a few years ago, I believe Frederick county would benefit greatly from this venue. As the county continues to grow, we are in need of more venues, such as Eli’s, to accommodate the population growth. This will also bring additional business and revenue to Frederick County/Winchester as people will be utilizing local overnight accommodations and eating establishments.
Eli is an honest and hard-working young man. It is refreshing to see a man, only twenty-four years old, pioneer his way, not only into the events industry, but into the working class of citizens and entrepreneurs. With so many young people unable or unwilling to commit to jobs today, Eli is an excellent example of determination and could serve as a role model for our local youth and young adults. I hope you will consider these comments and vote in Eli’s favor. Thank you for your time.
I and my family support this application fully. Eli Williams has greatly improved this property that less than two years ago laid in a state of ruin. The house, barn and outbuildings were falling down and were eyesores for everyone in the area. Eli has restored the property and structures and has improved the value of all neighboring properties tremendously. The intended use as a venue will not impede any person’s peace, quiet and tranquility in the area. To the contrary, the use as a venue will allow others the ability to experience the beautiful views, sights and sounds of this amazing property. The Planning Commission should not allow the comments of individuals that have been rallied for political and other selfish reasons to deny the owner’s application.
My husband and I live close to the location of the venue. Eli has greatly improved the property that the house and barn are on, and has restored the buildings that used to be in disrepair. We believe having a few events at the location will not adversely affect anything. We also believe he will be respectful of the people in the surrounding area and abide by any county ordinances.
My name is Julie Pineiro, I live at 234 Conifer Lane in the Back Creek District, and Mr. Williams’ property is visible from my house. I am opposed to this Conditional Use Permit application for a number of reasons. My husband and I moved to Frederick County from Pennsylvania in 2020, and we intentionally chose to live in the County and not in Winchester because we loved the quiet, bucolic environment out here in the country. We live on the top of a hill and have noticed that sound travels extensively in our area, particularly when emanating from sources below our house. Mr. Williams’ barn is situated in a low-lying area of the neighborhood, and I am concerned that noise and loud music from his proposed wedding venue will affect the peace and quiet that we and our neighbors value. I also want to stress that I use the word “neighborhood” deliberately. While this area is decidedly rural in character, it is also residential, and I do not believe that a facility that could potentially host up to 200 people per event fits into this landscape, whether you are considering it from the standpoint of a residential neighborhood or from a peaceful agriculturally-oriented region. I urge you, the members of the Planning Commission, to deny this application. Thank you for your time.
I grew up on the Fawcett/Overhill (not Overlook) Farm, in Back Creek District. I always enjoyed the serene view of this barn & the black angus cattle in the barnyard. Now owner of 6 neighboring building lots (1 is adjacent to the Williams property) I strongly oppose turning this barn into an event center. Eli has already done this without approval! What makes this board think he will abide by any other guidelines imposed? Wedding music amplified until 9:00 is unacceptable in a residential/rural setting, plus 200 people's voices will carry across the countryside, with 100+ vehicles departing up until midnight. It is recommended to have parking on the east side so as not to impact the 'viewshed of the Fawcett/Overlook Farm'. I don't see how upwards of 200 vehicles can be hidden on one end of this barn. Plus what will keep them from exiting on Epistle Lane (a residential driveway)? Eli's permit request states 'a couple of wedding type events'. Is that per year, month, week? Your proposal ref 'screened' toilets. What is what? Will these also be on the east end of the barn along with the 100-200 vehicles?
Most importantly, does anyone care about preserving the historical home of the Fawcett family on land granted by Lord Fairfax? This home was restored to historical standards and has been on Preservation Tours. Our property values will certainly decrease with the eyesore of cars, trucks and portable bathrooms, plus loud music/vehicles/voices that you have no control over. Please, please, do not approve something so devastating to our peaceful/rural countryside just because you have a person who has already done this without your approval. I also speak for my son James Degnan IV who owns property, part of the Fawcett/Carroll Farm and had previously planned to build a home on his acreage, but will reconsider if this gets approved. I live too far away currently to attend this meeting upon short notice, but know that my brother will be there to speak for the family.
We oppose this application for several reasons:1 The sign only appeared today which doesn't allow any time to notify the neighbors to oppose this application. 2. I have surgery the next morning in Reston at 6 AM which doesn't allow me to attend the meeting to speak in person.
3. If I could speak I would oppose this application on the basis that this is a residential area with multiple homes being built surrounding this property and he new homeowners don't have a chance to respond.
4. We purchased here 15 years ago because of the quiet nature and now we hear construction all day -- we don't need to hear music every night
.5. From a road standpoint Gough Rd is narrow and most of the time one car has to stop to let another one by. Additionally when exiting Gough onto Cedar Creek Grade turning left a driver has to pull out into Cedar Creek to see around the corner.
6. This property is not Rural -- it's presently being used for a landscaping business. Planning Commission -7.
7. We don't need another event center in a residential area -- there are multiple in commercial areas which are adequate.
8. Again this is totally a residential area with homes valued at $400,000 to $2,000,000+ we don't need an event center right in the middle of a residential area.