Redkey barn venue gets exception

A rural Redkey couple is planning to use their barn as a wedding venue.

Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals agreed Thursday to grant a special exception usage for the property at 11765 W. 700 South, Redkey, to be used as an event center.

Cynthia Robinson and Howard Minnick hope to open Redbird Farms in the near future.

The couple, who hosted their own wedding in their barn in June, have been working on renovations to equip the facility as an event center for approximately 10 months, Minnick explained.

“Our initial (intention) wasn’t to create a venue at all, that sort of just came up, and we’ve just remodeled everything and modified the barn, cleaned it out …” he said, noting that the scenery in the area led them to the choice to make it a venue.

Plans are to use the former horse barn as a space for weddings, parties, family reunions, corporate gatherings and other events. According to information filed by Robinson with their request, the venue will be open between March and November pending weather. (The barn does not have heating or air conditioning.) 

The property includes approximately 4.5 acres of pasture on the east side of the barn for parking space. Guests will be required to rent a portable toilet as the barn does not have a bathroom.

Most events will be held at the venue on the weekends, with hours of operation depending on the event.

Because the property is zoned as agricultural residential, using it as an event venue required the owners to file a petition for a special exception use with Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Jay-Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn said Robinson and Minnick have been receptive and taken action to meet building requirements. Currently, they are waiting on feedback to ensure their building is equipped for fire emergencies.

“My opinion is this is something I think is not a problem that they could do,” Hemmelgarn said.

Board member Kaleb Hemmelgarn asked if Minnick plans to open the venue in spring 2025.

“Actually, we’d like to be opening right now, just because everybody tries to plan ahead,” Minnick said. “So, our goal is, you know, the sooner the better is what we’re looking for.”

Cynthia Robinson obtained the property in February 2021, according to data from Jay County’s Geographic Information System Elevate.

“I will say, the place looks so much better than it did four years ago,” noted board member Steve Ford.

Board members Marla Lutes, Angela Paxson, Scott Hilfiker, Kaleb Hemmelgarn and Ford agreed to grant the special exception.

Also during the short meeting Thursday, the board agreed to retain its officers from 2024. They include Hilfiker as chairman, Paxson as vice chair, Ford as secretary and Jay County Building and Planning assistant director Pati McLaughlin as recording secretary.

Also, McLaughlin reminded board members about the requirement for governmental entities to begin livestreaming and recording their meetings by July 1. She said meetings on or after that date for Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals will be held in the auditorium at Jay County Courthouse, which has livestreaming video equipment.