A reception hall for weddings, school dances and other special events planned north of Longmont gained the backing of the Boulder County commissioners, who before approving it on Tuesday dealt with concerns over noise and the number of people it could draw.
The 5,175-square-foot Jubilee Acres Reception Hall would host events about 150 times a year and the applicants, Shane and Courtney Walter, proposed a maximum event size of 300 people to include guests, vendors and staff, according to a county report.
After a lengthy video public hearing — during which two neighbors objected to the facility — the commissioners limited the number of events with more 125 people to 75 out of the 150 yearly events. Commissioners also added that a supplemental noise evaluation of the reception hall must be approved by county planners, county planner Raini Ott said in an email.
Commissioners imposed the conditions in response to worries that revelers and noise would overwhelm the wide-open acres surrounding the reception hall, which will be on a 36-acre parcel west of U.S. 287 north of the intersection with Yellowstone Road.
“I have real concerns about the intensity of the use of the site,” Commissioner Matt Jones said.
However, Commissioner Marta Loachamin said the facility will be coveted for weddings and dances.
“I do believe there is a lot of interest from a lot of folks wanting to use it,” Loachamin said.
Co-applicant Courtney Walter assured commissioners the celebrations and the noise they generate will be carefully monitored.
“We are committed to understanding our impact,” Walter said.
The reception hall and a 2,700-square-foot chapel wil take up 5.3 acres, or about 15% of the property, according to a county planning report.
Commissioners said they were concerned the Walters were removing a portion of the property from agriculture production. Courtney Walter told them she plans to lease out 20 acres of the parcel for pasture or crop production.
Another 3.5 acres is slated to be used for a farm-to-table produce operation for caterers and other vendors for on-site events, Walter said.
“I have a very strong heart for agriculture,” Walter told commissioners during the video hearing. “I understand that agriculture feeds the world.”
County staff members believe the traffic generated by the reception hall can be safely accommodated by U.S. 287, according to the report. The Walters also will require shuttle service for events with more than 200 guests, a condition of approval for the development of the site, the report states.
All events at the reception hall will end at 10 p.m. and outdoor events will be cut off at 7 p.m., according to the staff report. Amplified sound can only be used at the beginning of outdoor ceremonies, the report states.
