Rick Ross wants to keep ‘em coming back.
The Fayette County Department of Planning and Zoning has other ideas.
An official request to hold the second annual Rick Ross Car and Bike Show on June 3 at the rapper’s estate in Fayetteville was determined not to be in compliance with the county’s zoning ordinance, Director Deborah L. Bell said Tuesday in a letter to StriKing Marketing president Michael J. King.
The ruling, which cited concerns over safety, noise and traffic, could force the event to relocate or be canceled.
Last year’s event was held at Promise Land, Ross’ Fayette County estate. Celebrities and fellow rappers flocked to the festivities, which featured luxury hot rods. That event, which Bell said had been described as a “horse show/rodeo/carnival and/or community fair,” was granted conditional use approval.
However, staff determined the upcoming event did not meet that criteria.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The letter added that the decision to allow last year’s event was made without “the scope of authority of the then-acting Director of Planning & Zoning/Zoning Administrator.” The “intensity” of that event indicated a similar one would be “clearly out of character” with the zoning district, Bell wrote.
“The sheer number of individuals expected for the event and the traffic and noise expected as a result are not consistent with the purpose of a residential zoning district,” the letter stated. “Furthermore, the magnitude of this event is overwhelming to public safety personnel and county infrastructure currently allocated.”
Tickets are $325 for general admission and $3,500 for food vendors. A VIP Vending & Sponsorship package is $25,000. Other tickets are also available at various prices.
The event website noted that all sales are final and non-refundable, with returns not permitted. It’s unclear if those who have tickets will be refunded.
Bell noted that the resources needed to allow the large scale event are not easily dispatched and weren’t anticipated.
Ross purchased Promise Land in 2014. The property, including a mansion with 109 rooms and a 4,000-square-foot guest house, formerly belonged to boxing legend Evander Holyfield, who built it in 1994.
Ross later bought 87 acres adjacent to the estate and created The Promise Land Zoo. Earlier this year, his buffalo escaped and were spotted roaming the Northbridge community, alarming residents. Both the Fayette sheriff’s office and marshal’s office got involved in getting the buffalo home.
Ross promoted this year’s car show Monday, a day before the zoning board’s ruling was issued.
“Promise Land estates. Front yard party. You’re all invited,” he said in a video posted to social media. “Vendors from everywhere, hustlers from everywhere, money from everywhere, sexy ladies from everywhere, and of course, cars you’ve never seen.”
On Tuesday, Ross insisted the event was still going on as planned.
“Despite what you hear, it’s going down June 3, the biggest car bike show of the year right here in the beautiful city of Fayetteville,” he stated on Instagram. “I love Fayetteville so much. Next year, I’m running for mayor.”
Officials with the event and StriKing Marketing did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
