by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (near The Four Corners) — Neighbouring farmers were provided a positive response from Whitewater Region council that their farming practices would not be interrupted because one of their neighbours is hoping to operate a reception facility nearby.
Bert Dunbar and family have been working hard to change a barn into a reception facility for weddings and other similar events. A zoning amendment was required due to the separation requirements not being met between the property line and the nearest neighbour’s barn, as it was short about 70 metres, and the public meeting was held during the Nov. 7 council meeting.
Mr. Dunbar, along with the business’ engineering consultant, and other family/business members attended the meeting.
Using a power-point presentation, the facility, buildings and land nearby were discussed. The facility is being proposed on the Queens Line near the Chenaux Road end. It was noted that the rezoning is for 2.22 hectares of land of 72.4 hectares and that the use has been identified as an on-farm diversified use and is seasonal. It will not conflict with surrounding agricultural operations.
There were many positives for this facility to be allowed, such as providing jobs, creating a unique business in that area and an opportunity to develop the community.
Building official Doug Schultz said the current agricultural practices would not be affected, as it is an agricultural area and it’s zoned that way as well.
Harvey Pilgrim is a neighbour who lives across the road from the Dunbars.
“Albert and Theresa (Dunbar) have been really good, I’ve got no problem with them doing this,” Mr. Pilgrim said. “My concern is what happens in four or five years if they decide to change the business and there are new operators.”
His family has been farming there for 59 years and their son Doug is farming with them.
“The concern is if somebody complains about cattle, smell or noise,” he said.
Explaining, Mr. Pilgrim said when they wean calves, the cows are very noisy. He suggested if there was too much bawling during an event, it could cause a disturbance. He was also worried there could be certain unwanted smells during an event.
“We’re not disagreeing with the business,” he stressed. “Everything is fine, I just want to go on record that we have spoken.”
Another concern of Mr. Pilgrim’s was the noise that could come from the facility, especially if the wind is blowing in the right direction. He said while he doesn’t expect a problem, again, he wanted to be on record that that could be a concern.
Councillor Cathy Regier said those are valid concerns, and suggested that it be written somewhere that it is a farming area and there will be certain smells and noises.
Mr. Schultz explained that it’s already a designated agricultural area.
“If someone complains about noise of cattle bawling in a farming community, we would just ignore that,” he said. “If someone says the cattle are smelling in an agricultural area, we would ignore that.
“This is a farming agricultural community and this is what goes on.”
However, Mayor Hal Johnson said the concern would not be ignored, but it would be pointed out that it is a farming community, and those noises and smells are normal.
“We would answer it that we are in a farming community,” he said. “The biggest employer in Whitewater Region is in the farming community and we stand behind them, so I’m quite sure that the Dunbars accept very graciously that that’s an absolute.”
Councillor Charlene Jackson noted that when people are booking the event, they know it’s in the country where there are working farms.
“I would hope that they take all of those lovely smells and experiences with them when looking at a barn for a wedding or reception or marriage,” she said. “It’s a unique opportunity and I think they understand that uniqueness as well.”
Mr. Dunbar said anyone who wants to use their facility has decided that a church or legion is not for them and they want something unique.
“That would be very clear to anyone who wanted to rent the barn,” he said. “If you are coming to use in the spring of the year and you want to have a wedding in the barn, let’s face it, they will have to know, and we’ll make them aware of it. We would not be renting this to anyone who would be going around complaining about the smell of manure.”
Mayor Johnson said when people have a summer wedding in the country, and there are elegant cattle nearby, they’re more apt to want their photo taken with the cattle.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin is concerned about what happens when the business is sold. He questioned how the neighbours could be protected if that were to happen and the new owners don’t want their guests disturbed by farming life.
Chief Administrator Officer Robert Tremblay said, “The neighbouring farming use is protected. It’s a long-standing operation. It’s got a zoning and official plan that recognizes it’s agricultural land and it was there before this use.
“The neighbouring uses are protected, are recognized, are enshrined.”
Donald Deer questioned how many people can be in the building and will it be a licensed facility.
It can fit about 300 people and while the facility itself won’t be licensed, those who want to rent it can get a special occasions licence.
Mayor Johnson noted he has known the Dunbars for many years.
“I know them to be very outstanding members of our community,” he said. “I’ve always been proud of them. They have done well. They are entrepreneurs. They put back into the community, as do their neighbours.
“I think that it’s absolutely exciting that they would take this project on.
“It will bring people into our municipality and all of the concerns are always well-founded and then become part of the planning,” he said, continuing, “Noise can have buffers and so forth, and being on record, you have the right in the future, but in Whitewater Region, I think it’s exciting that we are getting growth in different things, different events availability and there’s a possibility they’ll even employ somebody.
“So, it cannot be anything other in my mind than good.”
Council agreed to the amendment, noting there is an appeal period of 20 days if anyone objected to the passing of the amendment.
