Willow Brook Farms recently appeared before the North Catasauqua Zoning Hearing Board with a request to allow deviations from the borough's commercial parking standard.

The zoning board approved Willow Brook Farms' request unanimously.

Roy Stewart, borough zoning officer, explained that the borough requires paved surfaces and curbs for commercial parking spaces.

"We have established details on how parking space is prepared and developed, but the standards are geared to more commercial areas in the borough," he said.

Willow Brook Farms is opening a special events venue on part of its private tract. The primary focus for the site is providing a wedding area that includes a tent capable of seating 300 guests, a pool house that is adapted for use by the bride and her attendants, along with a bunkhouse for the groom and his party.

Nicole Fuller is in charge of the special events center and has lined up several customers.

"The farm allows us to do something different from most other places," she said. "The natural setting enhances any event. Because we are a working equestrian center, we can offer the bride and her party carriage rides to the reception."

Willow Brook Farms has extensive land holdings that span several municipalities. The tent is in Allen Township, but parking for guests, while close to the event tent, is in North Catasauqua.

The intent is to have guest parking on designated gravel surfaces and overflow parking on grassy areas near the tent. Adding a paved surface and curbing required under the North Catasauqua code would be difficult to do. The parking site is accessible by car, but not by heavy equipment needed to pave a parking lot for potentially hundreds of cars.

The unique aspect of the venue is the bucolic setting near a lake that would be disturbed by a formal parking area. As it sits now, the parking areas are packed gravel with a pathway to the venue.

"Although we are calling this a wedding venue and that is the primary focus, there is opportunity for corporate meeting or large family functions," Fuller said.

On Oct. 26, from noon to 4 p.m., Fuller is sponsoring a bridal expo at the events center.

"The expo will allow brides to see what we have to offer. Vendors will be at the tent offering services for bridal parties," she said.