Macon mansion with history of memorable parties may become private club

One of Macon’s largest and grandest residences with a long history of memorable parties and events may become a private club.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to consider Monday a conditional-use permit to allow a private club at 1386 Waverland Drive in Shirley Hills. It is the former home of Emmett and Edwina Barnes and now owned by Weyman Hardin, who filed the application.

The mansion, originally built in 1946 on the 16-acre site, was added onto several times over the years, and it now has 18,000 feet of space. Also, a separate garage, gazebo and chapel were built and a swimming pool and tennis courts were added, according to the tax assessors’ website. It is in a single-family residential district, and it is adjacent to the Masonic Children’s Home.

The home has the “largest private Chinese garden outside of China and the largest residential fountain system in the U.S.,” according to a report filed with the zoning office. “This property is recognized by many as one of the top treasures in Macon and has a very colorful and historic past.”

According to a Telegraph article in 2012 when the home was part of the Hay House’s annual Secret Garden Tour, the Barnes “drew inspiration for the fountains from their travels abroad. The ‘wedding cake’ upper section is modeled after a fountain at London’s Trafalgar Square.”

The property had changed hands several times before that tour, and parts of it had become overgrown before Hardin bought it.

The application states that the purpose of the private club “is for the members and their guests to use the premises and property in exchange for an entry fee and other usage costs.” It also says that members and their guests may use the property for social gatherings such as family gatherings, Christmas, birthdays, ceremonies and recreational purposes. It also may be used for community gatherings, such as by the Shirley Hills Neighborhood Community Association and for home and garden tours.

Parking for up to 50 vehicles is available off road and out of sight of any neighboring property.

“Members and their guests will access to the property during designated operation hours tentatively from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday,” the commission’s staff report said. “The applicant will not use the kitchen in any way for any event. Caterers will not have access to the kitchen.”

The staff report further stated that it was unknown if a catering kitchen would be provided. While the zoning office has received calls from neighbors who are concerned with the requested use, the staff noted that “other private clubs, such as Idle Hour, exist within residential neighborhoods. ... A larger concern for surrounding residents and owners is the potential for noise, light and traffic nuisances.”

The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be held in the 10th floor conference room, Willie C. Hill Government Center Annex, 682 Cherry St.

Other items on the agenda are:

ITEMS DEFERRED FROM MAY 22, 2017, MEETING:

513 Plum St. [a/k/a 543 Plum St.]: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of exterior modifications, RC Poss Construction, applicant.

3320 Houston Ave.: In violation of Section 25.03 of the Comprehensive Land Development for the City of Macon and Bibb County Georgia. Sign erected/painted, no zoning compliance obtained as well as no zoning compliance for business. Quinton Braswell.

ITEMS DEFERRED FROM PRIOR MEETING:

4027 Pio Nono Ave. (a/k/a 4053 Pio Nono Ave.): Conditional use to allow live music (karoke, band & comedy shows) at an existing bar/grill, C-4 District. Rodeo Bar & Grill, applicant.

CONDITIONAL USES:

5080 Riverside Drive: Conditional use to allow a restaurant with outside seating (Zoe’s Kitchen), C-2 District. Zoe’s Kitchen, Nate Houser, applicant.

7798 Nowell Road South: Conditional use to allow an additional single-family dwelling, A-Agricultural District. Mary Brown, applicant.

620-678 Poplar St.: Conditional use to allow a hotel, CBD-1 District. Miller Heath, Tim Thornton, applicant.

3090 & 3086 Columbus Road, 3075 Mercer University Drive: Conditional use to allow an event rental facility, C-2 District. Moses Jackson, applicant.

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:

221 Cleveland Ave.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of an accessory structure, HR-2 District. Jeff Gage, applicant.

620-678 Poplar St.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of new construction of a hotel, CBD-1 District. MM1-Thornton, LLC, applicant.

VARIANCES:

1296 Woodcrest Drive: Variance to allow accessory between the building line and right-of-way, A-Agricultural District. Gary Lee Eddy Sr., applicant.

221 Cleveland Ave.: Variance to allow a reduction in setback requirements to allow an accessory structure, HR-2 District. Jeff Gage, applicant.

VIOLATIONS:

3902 Juanita Drive: In violation of Section 27.05 of the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution – Accessory structure erected on property with no zoning compliance obtained. Carlos Garcia.

2808 Skyline Drive: In violation of Section 26.08 of the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution – Semi truck parked in driveway at residence. Pamela Tufts

RATIFICATION:

119 Emery Highway: Conditional use to allow storage of construction equipment for road project [17-20686]. C-4 District. ER Snell Contractor, applicant.

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Macon mansion with history of memorable parties may become private club."