A public meeting was held at Bradford West Gwillimbury town council meeting on Tuesday night regarding an application for a zoning by-law amendment for a wedding venue located in the north-east rural area of town.
The property, known as the barn 1906, is located on the south side of Line 13, east of Yonge Street. Owners Kim and Doug VanLuyk are proposing a site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a Wedding Events Venue on the premises.
The property is approximately 41.8 hectares in size, currently designated "Agricultural" and "Environmental Protection", and is surrounded primarily by farmland, and a Simcoe County Forest. There is a single detached dwelling on the site, as well as an historic barn, built in 1906.
The owners have already hosted a handful of events in the barn, contrary to the current zoning permissions. The zoning, as it stands, permits only agriculture and related uses, Bed and Breakfast operations, Equestrian centres, and greenhouses.
The owners are proposing a site-specific zoning amendment that would permit the continuing use of the barn as a wedding venue, and plan to add a gravel parking area for 71 vehicles. Access to the venue would be through the existing main driveway on Line 13. The property is serviced by private well and septic.
So far, there have been no comments from the public on the proposed plan.
BWG Fire and Emergency Services noted there would need to be a Change of Use Permit and the building will require fire safety plan, in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code.
The Clerks Department noted there would need to be an additional accessible parking space added to the plan. The plan calls for 2 handicapped-accessible spaces; there is a need for a total of three.
And the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) approved, on the condition that a 30m vegetation buffer be established along Coulson’s Creek and delineated with a cedar rail fence; a ‘no mow’ zone be established; and that any hazard trees be removed only between Nov. 1 and April 1, to avoid impacting bats and nesting birds.
Coun. Peter Dykie supported the application, noting there are plenty of couples out there looking for a ‘rustic’ wedding venue.
“I am glad we have the right applicant following through and going through the guidelines to make it successful,” Dykie said.
Mayor Rob Keffer agreed, noting, “It will be a good addition to our town."
Deputy Mayor James Leduc also agreed, calling it a good option for people who want to get married in town.
“I will support the application. Good luck!” Leduc said.
Coun. Ron Orr asked if there would be a kitchen facility on site, and how many guests the venue could hold.
Steve Jefferson of K.Smart Associates, who was at the meeting representing the VanLyuks, said the venue would not have a kitchen facility and that it could hold up to around 200 guests.
Keffer said the venue is a great way for people to also see Bradford’s municipal heritage and showcase the “architectural and building skills of our forefathers.”
“Hopefully we can get this moving forward so that everything will be set up quite soon,” he said, noting that wedding season is quickly approaching.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the subject property and application. The report will be referred back to staff for review and recommendation to council at a later date.
To learn more about the venue, follow them on instagram @thebarn1906.
