by MikeIt’s been a long and winding road for Angelstone Tournaments to get approvals for its venue in time for the coming season.
And, it’s a road unfinished – though there is the potential for the matter to be addressed at the town’s next council meeting.
The most recent approach involved Angelstone planning consultant John Cox asking the township on May 6 to endorse a temporary permit for the equestrian venue for 2014.
Cox noted the proponents have provided a number of documents requested by the municipality including a planning justification report, traffic study, and a more detailed emergency plan.
“As council is aware, we’ve asked for a deferral of this planning application for now.”
However he referred to issues that arose and what has been done since the public meeting held earlier this year.
“A lot of issues and concerns were identified,” said Cox.
In April, proponents provided an updated letter to council as to how the issues were being addressed.
“Since then, certain items have been completed and submitted,” Cox said.
However, he noted the documents given to the town were provided the week prior, leaving insufficient time for review prior to the night’s council meeting.
“We are asking for the deferral to allow these reports to be fully considered.”
Cox said the only study not completed is the noise study.
“But a noise study cannot be undertaken unless there is source noise (an equestrian event) to determine what the levels are and what mitigation measures can be taken.”
Therefore, instead of asking for permanent rezoning at this time, Cox asked for council to consider a temporary rezoning.
The temporary rezoning would allow both neighbours and council to monitor the situation during the upcoming season.
Cox agreed one of the big issues for residents is the liaison with the proponents.
Angelstone’s Lianne Selke noted someone has been hired to directly deal with resident issues and concerns.
“I’m here to assure you we are taking this very seriously and we’ve heard your complaints and as we approach the 2014 season and before the next (council) meeting we want to liaise with each and every resident in order to figure out the best way to mitigate the issues,” Selke said.
“Angelstone understands and apologizes for the mistakes the team has made.” She said that going forward, the intent is to create realistic goals.
“We understand that talk is cheap and now is the time for action,” she said.
Selke added Angelstone is committed to solving problems and hoped by May 20, there would be concrete action plans.
Councillor John Brennan asked for specifics as to how Angelstone would “reach out” to neighbours.
Selke hoped to set up individual or group meetings with all those concerned prior to the next council session to deal with specific issues.
She agreed there is an understanding that there is a noise problem, however she stressed the company wants to be able to make strong, clear commitments rather than vague promises.
“We’ll be bending over backwards to mitigate a solution,” Selke said.
Councillor Barb Tocher questioned whether that could be accomplished within two weeks.
Councillor Josie Wintersinger said “what you have to remember is that the neighbours have lived here for a long time. They want to be able to sit outside in the good weather and enjoy their properties.
“I feel quite strongly that this noise issue needs to be dealt with properly.”
Selke said the team has brainstormed on how to mitigate the general and concert noise resulting in a rethinking of the sound system.
Wintersinger also noted traffic volumes during each event remain a concern.
Mayor Lou Maieron said that having read the various reports, letters and emails, he said many issues have been addressed.
But he stressed the common thread to the majority of concerns remains the noise.
Doug Jenner, of Erin’s 3rd Line, is not the only resident to voice objections to the noise generated by the Angelstone operations, but he was the only one listed as a delegation at the May 6 meeting.
He wanted to ensure this year’s events did not proceed until assurances were provided that residents would not again have the impact of large scale equestrian events forced upon them.
Jenner asked council to distinguish between the equestrian competition and the need for an entertainment venue.
Like other residents in the room, Jenner questioned how hard Angelstone worked to consult residents or to address their concerns.
He added the scale of operations were inconsistent with the rural tone of the municipality. Further, because of the magnitude of the operations, Jenner stressed the need for regulations.
Council is set to look at the issue once more on May 20.
