Sturgis North organizers continue to roll ahead despite running into a bit of a roadblock relating to venues.
Last week the Agricultural Land Commission denied the application to use 26.2 hectares of the Moore Farm in Salmon Arm at 4321 10th Ave. SW, bordered by 10th Avenue and the Trans-Canada Highway. Agent listed for the application is Steve Hammer, with applicant Daniel Moore.
The farm was proposed as one of several sites for the festival, including the Fall Fairgrounds, downtown, and the Stomp grounds in Silver Creek. Plans for the Moore property were to have an entertainment stage, temporary seating, motorcycle parking and food booths, as well as camping and toilet facilities.
At Monday’s Salmon Arm council meeting, Hammer explained the Fall Fairgrounds have long been Sturgis’ first choice in venues, and that rally organizers would likely be asking for a noise bylaw extension on the fairgrounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
“We just want people to know, the event is still going ahead as planned. We do have alternative properties, and if those come together as we planned, then we won’t be using noise bylaw extensions,” said Hammer.
A separate Sturgis news release submitted to council states organizers would not have entered into such a large undertaking without several backup plans in place, and that a backup location would be announced soon.
The commission concluded the Moore property is suitable for agriculture, that the proposal would negatively impact agriculture, and is inconsistent with the objective of the Agricultural Land Commission Act to preserve agricultural land.
The document states: “In summary, the commission is concerned that the festival would reduce the range of agricultural opportunities available for the property, damage the soil structure and health, and raise expectations of permanent land use change.
It also states that although the proposal is for 10 days (the actual festival is for five), its midsummer timing “precludes the use of the majority of the property for most ground crops with the exception of hay production…
“The commission does acknowledge that a small portion of the property will not be used for the festival, but is reserved for a neighbouring farmer’s market garden production. In addition, there is potential for soil compaction from camping and human crowds, and soil contamination from litter, motor oil and other toxic fluids associated with motor vehicles.”
It goes on, “Furthermore it is the commission’s experience that music festivals become semi-permanent events whose income far exceeds that of any type of agricultural production, reducing incentives to innovate and intensify agricultural activity. If the music festival increases in popularity, there is inevitably pressure to establish permanent infrastructure for stages and other structures…”
An applicant can request reconsideration of an application, but only if new evidence becomes available, or if part of the original decision was based on erroneous or false evidence. The time limit for requesting reconsideration is one year from the decision.
Martin Collins, an ALC staff member, said the commission could reconsider the decision at its next meeting, which might be in May.
Questioned about city council’s support of the application, Collins termed it “qualified support,” in that the applicant had requested a five-year exemption and council supported it for one year only.
Carl Bannister, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the decision affects the proponents of Sturgis North, but in terms of the city, council hadn’t yet approved the site. If approvals had been forthcoming from the land commission, the city would still have to approve a temporary-use permit to allow the property to be used for purposes not included in the zoning.
“That would have been a public process to go through.”
Council has approved noise bylaw extensions and supported some liquor licence applications for the event.
