Council has denied a request for an extended exemption to the township’s noise bylaw for a wedding at the Conestoga Sailing Club.
At the June 13 meeting, council approved an exemption from 4pm until 1am for a July 8 event, rather than 3am, as applicant Mitchell Sherratt had requested.
“I’ve never seen one to go to 3am. I’m just wondering if there’s any background information why they’re requesting such a late time?” asked councillor Lori Woodham.
“I’m assuming it’s because it’s a wedding. Bars are normally having to be shut down at 2am so perhaps this is just leading up to the cleanup,” said bylaw enforcement officer Kristen Bickers.
Woodham said she would be in favour of amending the resolution before council to approve the exemption only until 2am.
“I don’t think it needs to be any longer than that. I mean I feel with cottages in the area – I’ve never heard of it going until 3am,” she stated.
Councillor Marlene Ottens questioned why the exemption was needed, noting it would not be required for an event at one of the municipal halls in Drayton or Moorefield.
“If you’re in a hall you don’t need a bylaw exemption .. and the halls are in town where there’s residents as well,” Ottens pointed out.
Councillor Michael Martin suggested an outdoor component to the event may be the reason the extension was required.
Martin noted the application indicates the disc jockey will be playing music only until 1am, adding, “That will be the bulk of the noise I would imagine.”
Council passed an amended motion allowing the exemption until 1am.
