The Supreme Court of Georgia dealt a blow last week to a Martinez professor’s effort to operate a luxury event venue in an affluent subdivision.
The state’s high court dismissed Gursimran Walia’s appeal May 14 of a ruling from Columbia County Superior Court after the Georgia Court of Appeals declined to hear it. The superior court upheld a Columbia County Magistrate Court’s decision from September 2023.
After a bench trial that lasted nearly a day and a half, Chief Magistrate Judge Jason Troiano found Walia guilty on one count of not having a business license and five counts of violating the county’s zoning ordinance by operating a special events venue in a residential zone.
Troiano sentenced Walia to a fine in excess of $6,000 and 18 months probation, to terminate when he paid the fine.
After he completed extensive renovations, Walia’s neighbors in the Barrington subdivision began complaining in early 2023 he was hosting large events at the 6,400-square-foot mansion, triggering a code enforcement investigation.
Several of a dozen witnesses who testified at trial said they observed weddings, corporate events and other large gatherings there, some complete with valet parking and truckloads of catered food. Columbia County began citing Walia for violating the county’s zoning ordinance.
Walia’s attorney Jeffrey Peil, contended Walia was simply using his home as an AirBnb or hosting his own, lawful events there. The phrase “special event facility” is unconstitutionally vague, while the county’s ordinance was too broad and potentially restricted freedom of association, he said. He also argued that similar activities during the Masters Tournament do not result in prosecutions.
More than a year after the verdict, Walia was granted a hearing on his petition for review in Columbia County Superior Court.
The county’s response to the petition detailed extensive evidence from the trial, such as Walia marketing it as “The Villa at Barrington,” hosting multiple large events and offering event packages for up to 125.
Walia’s conduct went beyond typical short-term rentals, it argued, using the property for commercial events, third party services and paid entry.
Columbia County Superior Court Judge Sheryl Jolly denied Walia’s petition for review in a December 2024 order.
“The evidence clearly shows that petitioner was renting out his residence for special events and was being paid for the events,” her order said. “This is not akin to renting a house out for a family to stay for a weekend.”
