‘They don't want large scale weddings': Essex residents fighting wedding venue
Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge wants to continue hosting weddings on their Concession Six property.
The home on the property is an authorized short-term rental, but the owners have started hosting weddings, which is currently not permitted.
To comply with municipal bylaws, they must rezone a portion of property currently zoned for agricultural purposes.
They have asked the town to approve an On Farm Diversified Use (OFDU).
It's essentially a temporary by-law amendment to allow Hearn to host up to 10 events – primarily 'boutique weddings' - from May 1 to Oct. 31.
'They are not every weekend,' Hearn lawyer Brian Chillman told Essex Council Monday, saying the company plans to host approximately 10 'boutique weddings' per season.
'They don't want large scale weddings. They have the capability to have more people, but they've limited to 200 [people],' Chillman said.
Neighbours aren't buying it.
Robin Totten
Robin Totten lives less than two kilometers from Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor)
'I woke up one day and had Studio 54 beside me,' one resident said.
Another has asked councillors to consider what it would be like '… to have the Essex Fun Fest in your neighborhood every single weekend.'
Robin Totten's family has lived less than two kilometers from the property for five decades.
Listening to the sounds of a large home, pond, large shed and intricate landscaping being developed was loud enough.
'And it quieted down for a bit,' Totten said.
And then 18 months ago, 'They (Hearn) started with this party venue and it's every weekend. We have no choice. It just starts blasting!' explained Totten.
Totten said they have 'given up' on calling bylaw enforcement and police.
Town staff admit bylaw enforcement has been called out to the property, but on 'every case except one,' the noise level fell below bylaw standards.
It's not clear what measures, if any, were placed against the property owners for breaching noise rules.
The special meeting on Monday dragged on for more than two hours, forcing the town to defer a decision on the amendment application to their meeting in August.
Chillman, however, warned council there was no legal reason to deny their application.
'We believe if we appeal this to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), we have a strong case,' Chillman said. 'Your own professionals supported [the application]. Your own staff supported [the application]. Our professionals supported it (the application). No one agency gave a negative comment about [the application].'
Town administration is recommending council approve the application.
Mayor Sherry Bondy has now organized a public meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Harrow Portuguese Club.
CTV News reached out to Chillman and Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge, but the calls were not returned as of this article's publication time.
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