By Lisa Carolin
It has taken months of meetings for the Lima Township Planning Commission to create an application for a special use permit for the Vargo Golf Company (Reddeman Farms).
At the commission’s April 25 meeting, the application was unanimously passed with the conditions of a new site plan review that shows the driving range and an agreement to be signed for road maintenance.
Marlene Consiglio, chairman of the Planning Commission, read aloud the conditions that go with that permit. They include that only wedding ceremonies can be held outside, that no events can have more than 150 people, that there be no more than 10 events per year with more than 50 people, that there be no outdoor amplification, that the owner make every effort to have people drive slowly in and out of the facility, and that the owner be responsible for 25 percent of the cost of road maintenance.
“The Planning Commission will revisit the special use permit annually in December,” she said.
Elizabeth Sensoli, a member of the Planning Commission, added, “A lot of time and effort has been put into this. It’s in everybody’s best interest to have this work out. I think it’s a good balance.”
Rob Vargo, the owner of the golf course, told the Planning Commission, “We had a lot of parties there last year and no problems. I think 12 months have proved that I’m a great neighbor. Talking about the limitation on the parties, I’m agreeing to disagree.”
In other action, the Commission voted unanimously to move forward a drainage ordinance that will go to the Township Board for a public hearing.
Lima Township Supervisor Craig Maier, who was in attendance, said, “I’ve spoken with a few farmers in the township who are very enthusiastic about this. At some point in time, it will be a lot of good information to have.”
