Board approves short‑term rental at 10238 South Turkey Creek Road with limits on daytime events and advertising

The Jefferson County Board of Adjustment voted to approve a special exception allowing a short‑term rental at 10238 South Turkey Creek Road in Morrison, attaching conditions intended to preserve the residential character of the surrounding area and to limit event‑style use.

Staff planner Jamie Hartig told the board the 24.68‑acre parcel met technical requirements for an STR: the lot exceeds the 1‑acre minimum, parking plans show multiple on‑site spaces, the parcel has a household well permit and a septic system permitted for three bedrooms, and the Elk Creek Fire Protection District supplied a will‑serve letter. Hartig told the board staff recommended approval for an initial six‑month allowance, with the occupancy limited to three bedrooms (six overnight guests).

Several neighbors joined remotely to express concerns about noise amplification in the valley and past daytime events. Lucinda Kerley, who lives directly across South Turkey Creek Road, told the board that outdoor events at the property had been loud and that sound carried into nearby homes. Hartig also informed the board staff had identified online listings and reviews that still referenced “wedding/event center” language and told the board that if the property was to be used as an event venue a separate special‑use process and possible upgrades (including septic) would be required.

Applicant representative Natalya Nikolenko (the owner’s mother) described building the house after purchasing the land in 2018, completing construction in 2024 and managing the property closely herself. She said she and local partners provide day‑to‑day oversight and that a local contact (a plumber/contractor) is available within roughly 20 minutes. She said some family gatherings have occurred on the large parcel and said she would remove any event references from public listings.

After deliberation the board approved the special exception with conditions that include: (1) overnight occupancy limited to six people; (2) daytime occupancy limited to 12 people (including the owner or host) while operating as a short‑term rental; and (3) removal of any advertising that promotes the property as an event center until the applicant obtains required county permits for events. The motion was moved by Mister Milovick and seconded; the roll call vote recorded aye from Miss Porter, Mister Johnson, Mister Worthington, Mister Milovec and Chairman Lester and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The approval balances the property owner’s ability to rent the dwelling with neighborhood concerns about daytime events, noise and infrastructure limits (septic/well). Conditions are intended to preserve the residential character while giving the owner a probationary STR authorization.