Planning commissioners recommend approval for outdoor event venue at 1231 Highway DD with limits on amplified sound and attendance
July 15, 2026 | St. Charles County, Missouri
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The St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission on June 17 voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional use permit to operate an outdoor wedding and event venue at 1231 Highway DD, subject to amended conditions limiting amplified sound and capping attendance at 150.
County planner Jared Young told commissioners the proposal would allow up to 150 guests on a 7.105-acre agriculturally zoned parcel near the intersection of Highways D and DD and that staff recommended denial because of concerns about noise, traffic, lighting and compatibility with nearby residences. Young said 83 notification letters were mailed and staff received two letters of opposition.
The applicant’s representative, Charles Wardle of Bax Engineering, and property owner Dan Lauderdale described site improvements including a one-way gravel driveway, parking located away from the event area, two ADA-compliant parking spaces adjacent to a catering building and vegetative buffers and a gate along the driveway to reduce noise, light spill and unauthorized access. Lauderdale said he would apply for a liquor license if the Conditional Use Permit is approved.
Commissioners questioned parking, wastewater upgrades and noise mitigation. Planner Robert Myers noted parking minimums in the Unified Development Ordinance are typically calculated as one off‑street space per three seats or one space per 100 square feet when seating is not fixed; Wardle said a dance-floor‑area calculation would require 32 spaces and the applicant said there is room on the site to expand the gravel lot if necessary.
The commission debated staff’s recommended limits and amended several conditions: they deleted a seasonal restriction on outdoor events, removed the weekday ban on amplified sound, and set amplified-sound hours to 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Commissioners also affirmed a maximum of 150 attendees for all events.
Commissioner Jeanette Koechner moved to recommend approval subject to the amended conditions; Commissioner Jennifer Bahr seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous vote of the nine commissioners present.
The commission’s recommendation will go to the County Council. Municipal-court proceedings regarding site improvements were reported to be ongoing pending the permit outcome.
County planner Jared Young told commissioners the proposal would allow up to 150 guests on a 7.105-acre agriculturally zoned parcel near the intersection of Highways D and DD and that staff recommended denial because of concerns about noise, traffic, lighting and compatibility with nearby residences. Young said 83 notification letters were mailed and staff received two letters of opposition.
The applicant’s representative, Charles Wardle of Bax Engineering, and property owner Dan Lauderdale described site improvements including a one-way gravel driveway, parking located away from the event area, two ADA-compliant parking spaces adjacent to a catering building and vegetative buffers and a gate along the driveway to reduce noise, light spill and unauthorized access. Lauderdale said he would apply for a liquor license if the Conditional Use Permit is approved.
Commissioners questioned parking, wastewater upgrades and noise mitigation. Planner Robert Myers noted parking minimums in the Unified Development Ordinance are typically calculated as one off‑street space per three seats or one space per 100 square feet when seating is not fixed; Wardle said a dance-floor‑area calculation would require 32 spaces and the applicant said there is room on the site to expand the gravel lot if necessary.
The commission debated staff’s recommended limits and amended several conditions: they deleted a seasonal restriction on outdoor events, removed the weekday ban on amplified sound, and set amplified-sound hours to 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Commissioners also affirmed a maximum of 150 attendees for all events.
Commissioner Jeanette Koechner moved to recommend approval subject to the amended conditions; Commissioner Jennifer Bahr seconded the motion. The motion carried by unanimous vote of the nine commissioners present.
The commission’s recommendation will go to the County Council. Municipal-court proceedings regarding site improvements were reported to be ongoing pending the permit outcome.
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