Owners of The Bradford Barn want to legalize its wedding and events venue, which is on agricultural land and not technically allowed to host banquets.
Just one Bradford West Gwillimbury resident voiced concerns at a public meeting at BWG council Tuesday night.
“You don’t normally find banquet halls in prime agricultural areas,” resident Doris Becher Nienhaus told council.
She said, after doing some research about the business, she understands why it is successful, but she questioned how the town could prevent the owners from expanding or selling to a developer after allowing a zoning amendment.
The Bradford Barn’s owners Jennifer and Nick Johannessen have applied to the town for a zoning bylaw amendment, which would not remove the agricultural zoning, rather allow a “site-specific” change to legalize banquets on the property, according to the town’s Manager of Community Planning Ryan Windle.
“The site will remain agricultural if the applicant is successful. The overall zoning is not changing,” he said.
Along with the zoning amendment, the owners want to “(preserve) the agricultural use” of the land, which is located on the 9th Line, between 10 Sideroad and Highway 400, read a town staff report.
Events would continue to run out of a two-storey barn, and the owners plan to include access to the facility off two existing 9th Line driveways, use a gravel parking area, and expand a parking area to accommodate guests, the report read.
A representative of the Johannessen’s, who attended the public meeting Tuesday, told council the owners have completed an environmental noise study and are in compliance with local bylaws, and that there is enough water in a private well system for all uses on the property.
The 39-hectare property has been in the Johannessen’s family for more than 50 years, according to The Bradford Barn website.
After one of their parents retired in 2015, the couple took over the land and created the events venue.
On the property, there is a single detached dwelling, and three agricultural buildings, one of which is mainly used for holding wedding receptions and other functions, read a town staff report.
Windle said town staff have not yet done a full review of the property, but the town can be specific on “where, when and size” of where the business would be allowed to host banquets.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, several councillors voiced support for a zoning amendment.
“People want something creative. We’re using our natural landscape,” said Coun. Peter Dykie Jr. “The youth today are looking to alternatives for weddings. This creates a very nice atmosphere.”
“We need these types of things. We need three or four of them,” added Coun. Gary Lamb, noting events venues also create jobs and attract more people to the town.
“This is something our municipality could use,” said Mayor Rob Keffer, adding it is an educational opportunity for people to learn about farming. “The crops always look good on this farm. Agriculture is a very important part of the history of our municipality. Hopefully we can work with the applicant to make this a reality.”
Town staff will now do a complete review and report back to council at a later date.
