County planning officials have decided to allow a retreat center on land located near Grandview Lake.
The Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals has approved Max Henry’s request to allow a retreat center known as the Henry Chateau in the Agriculture: General zoning district at 13200 Bellsville Pike in Ohio Township, after nearly three hours of discussion.
According to assistant planning director Melissa Begley, the request was approved with conditions in a 3-2 vote.
“They put some limitations on attendance, when they needed to be, events, wrapped up, no amplified music, just to name a few,” she said.
Board chair David Flohr and vice chair Roger Glick voted against approval. Glick declined to share his reasons for doing so, and Flohr could not be reached for comment.
Henry previously submitted applications for an event venue at the same property, which were heard by the board in December of 2020 and July of 2021. Despite both requests being denied, Henry has been operating the site as an event venue and openly advertised it at henrychateau.com and on Facebook, according to a report from planning staff.
The staff report also included several letters and emails from people who opposed the request as well as those in support.
Residences to the north and east of the subject property are lots on Grandview Lake and are separated from the property by a large, wooded area owned by the Grandview Lot Owners Association.
Several Grandview residents have opposed Henry’s application, citing reasons such as the board’s previous denials, his past violation of county regulations, possible traffic hazards, past issues with events at the site, a desire to keep the area rural and residential, concerns about noise, and property values.
“We believe this request, just like the last one, should be denied,” wrote residents Larry Olson, Nancy Olson, Roger Pardieck and MaryAnn Pardieck in an email. “This is an agriculture/leisure area. We bought (property) on Grandview Lake 34 years ago for the peacefulness of the area and the safe place it provided for our kids to play. It was an area zoned Agriculture then and it should stay that way today. If one person is granted business zoning in this area it most definitely opens a can of worms for many more businesses to receive the same special treatment, where do you draw the line?”
However, other individuals have expressed their support for the request, stating that they do not believe approval will lead to issues with noise or traffic.
The staff report included several copies of the same statement, with individuals signing their name underneath the following endorsement: “I was an attendee at a meeting at the Henry Chateau. I am writing to express my support for that business and their application to the BZA. The meeting I was at was well run, respectful, and quiet. The attendees all parked on site and there was no issue related to either noise or alcohol. I believe the venue is a wonderful use of the property and I believe it serves a growing need in our community, especially given the loss of so much of our community space.”
According to Begley, Monday’s BZA meeting was well-attended, with some individuals speaking against the request and others calling for its approval.
The request was approved with nine commitments, she said. These include not serving alcohol at commercial events, limiting commercial and personal events to 75 attendees (including organizers, caterers, facilitators, guest speakers, etc), no amplified music or outdoor music, no construction of additional structures without prior approval by the BZA, limits in regards to lighting, and keeping the site “substantially wooded.”
Furthermore, events must end by 10 p.m., not including clean-up time. Overnight accommodations are allowed, but gatherings must be over by 10 p.m.
The Henry Chateau must also limit retreats held onsite to the activities listed within the definition of a retreat center under the zoning ordinance: “A facility used for professional, educational, or religious meetings, conferences, or seminars which provides meals, housing, and recreation for participants during the period of the retreat or program.”
The structure on the property must also receive a certificate of occupancy from Bartholomew County Department of Technical Code Enforcement for a commercial structure, which will then be provided to the planning department.
According to the staff report on the request, code enforcement officials said that the Henry Chateau will also need a State Design Release in addition to a local permit.
“As of now it is considered residential, not commercial,” the department stated. “They will need to get a commercial remodel permit.”
Additionally, county fire officials are requesting a fire inspection due to the nature of the proposed business, and planning staff wrote that the center will need to comply with any applicable requirements from the Bartholomew County Health Department for the change to commercial use.
