Wedding facility proposed for barn

October 31, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
A proposal for a wedding facility on the west side of town has prompted concerns over whether it’s already been operating.
The noise from such an operation has a few people concerned too.
Camblum Farms Ltd. have applied for a rezoning and amendment to the Town’s Official Plan that would allow a seasonal wedding facility on approximately 51.6 acres at Lot 15, Concession 6, in west Caledon (the southeast corner of Charleston Sideroad and Winston Churchill Boulevard.
Brandon Ward, senior development planner with the Town, told the recent public information meeting on the proposal, that the facility would operate from an existing 4,500-square-foot barn and 860-square-foot carriage house. The plan is for it to run from early April until the end of September, during weekends. Food will be provided by caterers, so there will be no actual preparation on site, although there will be a retro-fitted area for setting things up. There are also no permanent washrooms planned (mobile facilities will be set up).
Erin area resident Kelly Burden was concerned that these events have already been taking place, adding they have been announced on Facebook and Twitter.
Councillor Nick deBoer, who was chairing the meeting, said that would have to be addressed by bylaw staff. Burden said she’s already tried to approach officers, but they don’t respond.
She also said noise and the positioning of the public address systems have also been an issue, commenting that people some distance away have been able to hear what’s going on.
Burden agreed it’s a “stunning” location to have weddings, but some of these parties go to 1 a.m.
She also pointed out there are no hotels in the area, adding she’s never seen taxis on the site. She wondered about people driving away after having too much to drink.
Councillor Doug Beffort said he’s heard about the noise issues. He also pointed out this application ties into the Town’s effort to promote agri-tourism, but he understood how some residents might not have faith in what’s being proposed.
He also suggested comments be obtained from LCBO.
Councillor Patti Foley wondered if there would be facilities for storing food on site. Ward told her that would be addressed by Peel Public Health.
Councillor Richard Paterak was also concerned that events have been taking place without the approvals in place. He was concerned about liability issues.
Town planners will be sending a report to council on this issue at a later date.