Wedding plans change

A couple who own a 6-acre ranch in the Greenline-protected agricultural lands west of Chico have withdrawn their application for a permit allowing wedding events on their property (see “Neighborhood feud,” Newslines, July 13). Those weddings have raised the hackles of a couple dozen neighbors who say the traffic and noise greatly disturb their Saturday evenings.

Mark Medearis and Robin Flores Medearis have held five weddings on the property since May. The Butte County Planning Commission is looking to encourage the county’s tourism industry, according to a county report, via “agricultural activities associated with the wine, olive oil, fruit and nut, micro-brewery and micro-distillery industries.” The Medearises planted 800 grapevines on the property three years ago.

Tim Snellings, director of the county’s Department of Development Services, sent an email noting that there are six weddings planned at the site through Oct. 5, despite the withdrawal of the application.