The show will go on at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds this summer, as the province has extended a temporary bylaw allowing music festivals and concerts to continue to take place on the property.
During the summer months, Burl’s Creek hosts several large-scale events, including Boots and Hearts Music Festival, which attracts thousands of tourists to the region. The venue is also scheduled to host the Rolling Stones this Canada Day weekend.
The temporary relief was needed for this summer’s festival season, as the zoning of a portion of Burl’s Creek lands used for camping and parking remains before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Steve Clark, Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs and housing, announced Wednesday that a ministerial zoning order (MZO) has been issued for Burl’s Creek, which will extend a temporary use bylaw application approved by the OMB on Jan. 1, 2016.
The temporary bylaw was slated to expire on Dec. 31, 2018.
A permanent bylaw application was submitted to the OMB with a hearing date expected on or after April 1. The hearing is expected to last two weeks.
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The MZO will now allow Burl’s Creek to host its 2019 festival program under the same terms as the temporary use bylaw and will extend until the conclusion of the OMB’s hearing on the permanent bylaw application.
“I’m happy festivals and concerts on the Burl’s Creek Event Grounds will continue once again this summer,” Clark said in a news release. “Festivals and concerts at Burl’s Creek boost tourism in the region and help local businesses thrive. They’re also a great opportunity for families and friends to enjoy live music.”
Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes says the township is “appreciative” of the zoning order.
“The order bridges the gap for the 2019 special event season while allowing for the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal’s hearing and decision pertaining to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments regarding parking and camping at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds,” Hughes said in a release.
“From a public safety perspective, the order provides certainty by permitting parking and camping, which is necessary to accommodate the number of people anticipated to attend special events,” he said.