Why I Voted for the Stewart Family Christmas Lights to Shut Down Until They Get Permits

At our Thursday, May 21 meeting, the Washington County Quorum Court voted 12-2 that Stewart Family Christmas Lights, LLC and Stewart Family Fireworks, LLC should cease operations until the businesses finally get the permits required under Washington County’s planning and zoning rules. This is a long-running problem going back to at least 2018.

I know a lot of people love the Christmas lights. For many families, they are part of their holiday traditions. Some people may hear this vote and think the Quorum Court is trying to be the Grinch. But the issue before us was whether a high-traffic business in a residential area can keep operating without the same permits that others are required to get.

The businesses need three approvals before they can keep operating: a Conditional Use Permit, a Large Scale Development Permit, and a Flood Plain Permit. These permits help the county review traffic, drainage, floodplain issues, public safety, land use, and the effect on nearby residents.

The information presented to the Quorum Court showed that this was not a new issue. The owner was told by the Washington County Planning Director as far back as 2018, and again and again since then, that these permits were required. But instead of going through the permit process, the operation continued to grow. That included the addition of Stewart Family Fireworks, LLC in 2024 and year-round fireworks sales beginning in 2025.

This was not a small mistake that someone needed a little time to fix. This was a situation where the county had told the business many times that permits were required. Years later, those permits still had not been obtained.

I also heard from nearby residents. They raised concerns about uncontrolled traffic, lights, noise, and living next to an expanding unpermitted business in a residential area. Another concern was whether gravel is washing off the property and into areas that drain toward the White River.

Those are exactly the kinds of issues the permit process is supposed to review. A Conditional Use Permit gives the county and the public a chance to look at whether a use is right for a specific location. A Large Scale Development Permit allows the county to review the impact of a larger operation on roads, access, parking, drainage, and safety. A Flood Plain Permit is especially important because development in a floodplain can affect nearby properties and waterways.

I want to thank Justice of the Peace Robert Massingill of Springdale for bringing this issue forward. After we started discussing it publicly, the Sheriff’s Office cited the Stewart operations and other unpermitted businesses. To me, that showed this was part of a larger enforcement problem in the county.

When people live in the unincorporated county, they should be able to count on county rules being applied fairly. They should not have to spend years asking the county to enforce its own ordinances.

These reviews are not anti-business. They are part of basic county government. They help make sure growth is safe, legal, and fair to the surrounding community.

The Quorum Court’s vote doesn’t say the Stewart family can never operate a light display or fireworks business. It says they need to get the required permits first. That is a reasonable standard that other people are expected to meet.

I don’t take any satisfaction in voting to shut down something people enjoy. But as a Justice of the Peace, my job is to help make sure county government protects residents and enforces the rules we have adopted.

I hope the next step is simple. The businesses should apply for the required permits, go through the proper review process, and address the issues that need to be addressed. If they can meet the requirements, then they will have a clear and lawful path forward.

Until that happens, continuing to operate without the required permits is not fair to the neighbors or other applicants and is not consistent with Washington County law.