While music critics will be reviewing the WayHome and Boots and Hearts festivals this summer, Simcoe County’s planning staff will be reviewing plans for Burl’s Creek Event Grounds.
“We’ve received an application from Burl’s Creek to add certain provisions for events to occur on the property. Our duty is to review the application,” said David Parks, Simcoe County’s director of planning, development and tourism.
“We have six months to review (an array of studies) under the provisions of the planning Act. We’re coordinating with Oro-Medonte on the peer reviews.”
In order for Burl’s Creek to hold events like the popular concerts, it needs a county official plan amendment as well as modifications to Oro-Medonte’s official plan and zoning bylaw for the 228.6-hectare (565-acre) property it assembled, which now spans from Lines 7 to 9 on the east side of Hwy. 11.
Last year, Burl’s Creek owners faced $200,000 in fines from Oro-Medonte for offences that included holding part of the popular Barrie Automotive Flea Market on lands zoned agricultural. Only 92 acres of the total 565-acre property were zoned to allow festivals.
To avert such fines this year, Burl’s Creek applied for a temporary use bylaw. An Ontario Municipal Board hearing is scheduled to start May 24 on the temporary use bylaw. Burl’s Creek appealed on the grounds that the township failed to make a timely decision.
In creating its case for the Official Plan and zoning bylaw changes, Burl’s Creek not only hired Innovative Planning Solutions to lead the application through the public planning review process, but has also submitted studies including archeological, traffic, noise, economic impact and market analysis, environmental impact and a transportation plan.
“We’re reviewing (those reports) internally and externally under the (municipal affairs) ministry guidelines,” said Parks, who added some festival-related uses are already allowed on the property.
In making the case for the planning amendments, Innovative Planning Solutions pointed out Oro-Medonte’s policies envision an employment area in the centre of Oro, the area that goes beyond but includes Burl’s Creek. That area also accommodated the nearby Barrie Speedway, which closed and its site now wrapped into the Burl’s Creek ownership.
“The uses proposed within these areas will take place up to 27 days in a calendar year and will consist of temporary parking and camping. The events occurring on the event grounds do generate a significant amount of economic development to the area and provide a mix and range of employment opportunities both on a permanent and temporary basis,” the Innovative Planning Solutions planning justification report said.
“These lands form an integral part of accommodating patrons attending events. As outlined in the Economic Impact Study, a plethora of employment opportunities exist on an annual bass. … It is anticipated over the long term that the Burl’s Creek Event Grounds will form a catalyst for other employment opportunities in the secondary plan area. The proposal does not prohibit the lands from being developed as envisioned as no structures or buildings are proposed to be constructed. In accordance with the township Official Plan … uses permitted include recreation while supporting additional uses requiring large tracts of land.”
Copies of the various reports can be downloaded from Simcoe County’s website.
