Letter: About those big, ‘remote’ outdoor weddings

Graphic by Lori Deaton

Outdoor weddings are big business here. What could be more romantic than holding a wedding in an open field with the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop? And inviting a hundred close friends to an open-air reception, with the DJ playing your (really loud) favorite music? Maybe add some fireworks and air horns to celebrate. Or maybe it’s not a wedding, and you just want to hold a really big noisy party on that remote hillside.

Unless that hillside’s not so remote. Like when the “event barn” is in the middle of an established residential community. Then the loud music destroys every vestige of our neighborhood’s peace and quiet, and the traffic on our narrow country road creates gridlock.

What if an ambulance or firetruck has to get through?

Buncombe County doesn’t regulate these events on properties zoned as open use. The original intent of OU zoning was to protect rural enterprises from undue restrictions. Most residents of OU districts have chosen to live here because we want a slower, quieter life, close to the land and its natural rhythms. We want to live in a peaceful community where we have some space to stretch out. Let the kids play in the woods, plant a garden or raise a few chickens. Invite friends to sit on the deck on a warm summer evening.

But clever entrepreneurs are exploiting the loopholes offered by OU zoning. They often promote their events as “agribusiness,” because they’ve discovered how lucrative it can be to rent out a piece of farmland for the weekend. Regardless of what the neighbors think about the noise and traffic.

Article IV (Noise) Section 26-181 of the Buncombe County general ordinance prohibits any noise that interferes with the “peace, dignity or good order” of the neighborhood — specifically those that are “unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary.” But someone’s got to file the complaint and go to court, where they will likely go up against well-paid lawyers hired by the event-venue owners to defend their business.

The N.C. Department of Transportation says we can install speed bumps (“traffic calming devices”) on our narrow, dead-end road — but we will have to pay for the “devices” and foot the bill for a traffic engineering study to determine need and location.

The best solution? Get the county to add a permitting aspect to the OU zoning structure, something that requires event-venue managers to request (and pay for) a permit for any commercial gathering of more than 20 people. The permit could restrict the number of participants and vehicles, set clear limits on noise, limit or ban alcohol consumption, confirm security arrangements and acquire signoff from all neighbors within, say, 600 feet of the venue.

This wouldn’t restrict gatherings of family or friends. And it would help promote real agritourism (farm tours, farm stand businesses, educational programs) and the normal operation of a real farm.

Until that happens, we all have to be ready to call the Sheriff’s Office to file noise complaints and request traffic control.

We need to restore a semblance of peace and quiet to our mountain communities.

— Sarah Blanchard
Weaverville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.