A hearing that could implement new rules for large events at Burl’s Creek will resume in the fall.
The Ontario Municipal Board will continue their hearing pertaining to Burl’s Creek on Oct. 25. Four days have been set aside for the hearing.
This means the WayHome Music and Arts Festival and the Boots and Hearts Festival will go ahead before the OMB can make a ruling.
Burl's Creek can use 92 acres for the music festivals. The event grounds' owners have applied to the OMB to try and get more than 340 acres re-zoned to allow camping and parking.
"This is illegal. They can use 92 acres, but they're trying to get on prime agricultural land," says Bruce Wiggins of Save Oro, a group opposing Burl’s Creek.
The hearing is trying to determine if parts of the Oro-Medonte event park should be allowed to re-zone those parcels of the property for camping and parking.
In a statement, Burl's Creek says they are working with all of the government agencies to ensure appropriate planning and processes are followed as they prepare for the festivals.
The township did fine Burl's Creek for illegal use of the land last year, but not for every event. Festival camping and parking did occur on disputed lands last year.
Opponents want the township to enforce existing bylaws.
"The bylaws are very clear agriculture lands are not supposed to be used for these sorts of events," says Wiggins.
Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes says the township will enforce its bylaws if needs be.
"We do enforce our bylaws, but you can't enforce your bylaw until somebody actually breaks it."
In the meantime, the township still has to approve a special events permit for the music festivals.
