When one Santa Ynez Valley property owner asked to continue hosting weddings, fundraisers and industry events on his 54-acre parcel, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors swiftly shot him down.

When the board denied the special-events permit on a 3-2 vote last week, the reasons included preserving the rural, agricultural area and preventing a unwanted precedent, according to 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr.

Farr and supervisors Janet Wolf and Salud Carbajal voted Nov. 3 to deny the permit application, while supervisors Joni Gray and Joe Centeno dissented.

The Crossroads property, on Foxen Canyon Road southeast of Zaca Station Road, has operated as a venue for large and small special events for decades, said Susan Petrovitch, representative for William Foley, the owner of the scenic acreage.

There had never been any "documented legitimate" traffic, noise or safety problem and or conflict with surrounding agricultural uses, she added.

And with only 11 of its acres used as a vineyard, hosting 20 for-profit events a year would have subsidized the agricultural costs, Petrovitch said.

But Farr worried aloud that any agriculturally zoned parcel with a minimum of active farming in the county could become a party haven if this permit were passed.

Foley had requested approval for five nonprofit soirees and 20 for-profit events annually, each with at most 250 guests, according to county staff.

When the permit first came before the board, county planning staff recommended approval. However, the board majority directed staff to return with new findings that supported a denial.

The board ultimately found that continuing special events at Crossroads would be "detrimental to the comfort, convenience, general welfare, health, and safety of the neighborhood," and "incompatible with the rural and scenic character of the area."

Also, as part of the parcel's zoning, it was required that the events and associated facilities be "accessory and incidental" to the property's agriculture.

But with only 11 acres currently farmed, the board concluded that the vineyard is too small of an operation.

As for the precedent-setting worries, county Planning and Development Deputy Director Doug Anthony said he was unaware of any similar agriculturally zoned parcels that are under review for a special-events conditional-use permit.

This particular property was unique, because the previous owner, Adam Firestone, had hosted events on site for years, according to the staff report.