TACOMA, Wash. -- It's been a long battle over what happens at one of Tacoma's historic mansions.
The former Weyerhaeuser mansion sits in the city's North End and is currently being used to host weddings and events.
If the signs in the neighborhood are any indication of how the residents feels, then you might get a sense of frustration. Many neighbors have expressed concern with Blue Ribbon Cooking School and Catering Company's current use of the old Weyerhaeuser mansion.
The mansion, once owned by the Weyerhaeuser family, now belongs to Corban University. It has been leasing the property to the Blue Ribbon Cooking School.
According to the Blue Ribbon website, the venue will host parties and weddings for more than 250 people. The neighbors have been asking the city to restrict that use and fear a sale could give the catering company the green light to continue the big events.
Some of the neighbors like Shawna Kinsman said they didn't mind the parties.
"I think there needs to be a balance," said Kinsman. "I think when you live in this neighborhood with a mansion like this you're going to expect, at least to me, I expect there will be parties,"
However, others like Bruce Dart feel this venue is a major intrusion in this quiet neighborhood. He said the events cause parking issues. He and his neighbors also expressed concern about the noise.
"I don't understand how the City of Tacoma can have a commercial zoning for that place when we're a residential neighborhood," said Dart.
The catering company currently hosts events at the mansion under a conditional use permit issued by the city. That permit has been appealed by both sides.
Corban and the catering company would like to see fewer restrictions on use of the mansion for parties, while opponents say the conditional use permit isn't strict enough.
A three day hearing on the matter will start Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in Tacoma Council Chambers.
