How loud is too loud? Neighbors object to area wedding venue adding hours of operation

While operators of the Canyon Run Ranch wedding venue in rural western Miami County said they’ve had plenty of satisfied brides and wedding parties, several neighbors continued to air complaints about loud music and other concerns.

The Miami County Board of Zoning Appeals heard those complaints Sept. 20 when it considered a proposal by owners Gary and Amy Ward to expand the dates the barn-focused venue off Rangeline Road would be available for use.

They requested to expand their availability from the current Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. from May through October to seven days a week from March through December with weekday events ending by 10 p.m.

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The board voted 3-0 to deny the request to expand days of operations. The decision can be appealed to the county Common Pleas Court.

The activities at Canyon Run property also were the focus of two hearings before the appeals board in December and January.

Neighbors’ concerns included music and other noise from the venue along with additional traffic.

Amy Ward said Canyon Run Ranch this year hosted 34 weddings and welcomed more than 3,000 guests with no problems. A new sound system was bought in hopes of stemming music complaints, she said.

The proposed expansion was meant to meet demand by nonprofits for an event venue and for gatherings such as anniversary and other celebrations.

“We operate a friendly, safe venue,” Ward said.

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Neighbor Sam Dewey of Rangeline Road supported the expansion saying added signs have helped guests find the venue easier and that he thought the Wards were trying their best to be good neighbors.

Robert Crouch of Rangeline Road disagreed.

“There are just too many people affected by noise and traffic,” he said.

Connie Burns of Rangeline Road compared the venue to “being by a bar. It is not what all of us moved out in the country to hear.”

Board member Mark Williams said he was concerned that sound would carry differently during times of lack of foliage and temperature changes, which could bring additional complaints.

Board member Kevin McDonald said he had hoped following discussions at the earlier meetings about working to reduce noise and neighbors attempting to work together that this meeting would project a different tone between the business and neighbors.

“I was hoping … with 34 weddings behind us, we would have more of a positive reaction from the audience,” he said.

Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com

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