By Maria Polletta | The Republic | azcentral.com
Nearly a year ago, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit permitting an east Mesa property owner to use his home as a wedding center.
In the months leading up to the decision — and at times in the months since — persistent neighborhood opposition dominated the conversation, with area residents saying the Superstition Manor would disrupt the area’s rural, residential character with added noise, traffic and lights.
But another set of voices has begun to join the conversation in recent weeks: neighbors who either support the wedding center or simply don’t think its existence is a big deal.
Superstition Manor owner John Burns bought the 3-acre property near the corner of Brown and Signal Butte roads in 2011 after his wife urged him to take on the
fixer-upper. After pouring tens of thousands of dollars into renovating the facility, Burns sought permission to live upstairs while using the first story and outdoor area for weddings and receptions.
Both he and his wife said they’ve had “no issues with any of the neighbors” since the county approved the special use permit, despite having hosted at least 50 weddings since. They’ve added an 8,500-square-foot ballroom and 1,500square-foot bridal suite and say they’ve restricted events to weddings and school-sports trophy banquets.
