Red Barn youth theater wins county approval; permits still gate reopening
The special use allows up to six productions a year at 27872 Moose Range Road, with an 80-person audience cap and required building, site, accessibility, health, and plumbing approvals before operation.
In one sentence
The County Board approved Red Barn Productions' land use on June 17, but the ordinance requires permits and code approvals before the barn can again operate as a theater.
DeKalb County approved the land use, not an immediate reopening. The June 17 voice vote adopted Ordinance O2026-008 for a youth theater in the existing red barn at 27872 Moose Range Road.
County staff reported that the theater stopped operating after officials learned in late 2025 that the required special use and permits were not in place.
What the County approved
Brian and Kathi Sell sought the special use on a 4.92-acre A-1 property owned by Duane and Lynne Sell. The Hearing Officer received support from 29 people and recommended approval with conditions.
The County Board's voice vote carried with no opposition heard. Sycamore Township describes the location, while DeKalb County is the land-use authority.
Operating limits
The use is confined to the existing barn and associated parking. Actors must be ages 8 through 18. The ordinance allows up to six productions per calendar year, performances only Thursday through Saturday, and an audience cap of 80.
It sets closing times of 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. on other nights. It also allows no more than six workshops a year, each capped at 30 minors and three hours.
Permits before operation
The ordinance requires an approved site-development permit, commercial building and fire-code permit, sign permits, accessibility certifications, County Health Department approvals, State plumbing approval, and a revised site and parking plan.
It calls for at least 32 parking spaces at the stated capacity, accessible spaces and paths, and screening from the residential property to the north.
What is still unclear
What the record did not yet answer
- The cited records do not establish that the required permits and approvals have been issued.
- No reopening date is established by the special-use vote.
- Later operation remains subject to the ordinance's attendance, schedule, site, and code conditions.
Later developments will appear in new coverage, preserving what this story established on its publication date.
Source trail
Check the record
- 01Planning, Zoning and Development Committee Packet (opens in a new tab)
DeKalb County · May 27, 2026 · Official committee packet
The packet contains Petition SY-26-05, the Hearing Officer record, and draft ordinance conditions. - 02County Board Minutes (opens in a new tab)
DeKalb County · June 17, 2026 · Approved minutes
The minutes record approval of Ordinance O2026-008 by voice vote with no opposition heard.
