A Sturgis North application to use agricultural land in town for camping is being backed by council, but the fate of an already approved noise bylaw extension for the event is now in question.
After being told by city councillors that support for an application to the Agricultural Land Commission wouldn’t be forthcoming until the motorcycle rally organizers coughed up the $40,000 promised by May 15 for related policing costs, Sturgis came through with a cheque, received by the city on Friday, May 20.
The following Tuesday, council came through for Sturgis, agreeing to support Sturgis’ use of the properties at 550 and 690 10th Ave. SW for camping during the rally.
City documents note the applicant, Steve Hammer, for Sturgis North Promotions Inc., is proposing to use a portion of each of the properties for a temporary campground, requiring the lots for 14 days, from July 8 to 21, including set up and tear down.
“The site plan, which is also used for the Roots and Blues Festival temporary camping, indicates a total of up to 346 sites,” states the report.
If the application is approved by the land commission, Sturgis will then have to apply to the city for a temporary use permit as the properties are zoned A-2 Rural Holding, and are designated as acreage reserve.
Though agreeable to the application, council was concerned over the potential for noise on the campsites, particularly related to the coming and going of motorcycles.
Sturgis chief executive officer Ray Sasseville told council the properties would be used solely by the vendors at the fall fairgrounds, and as overflow for RVers.
“We’re not going to have a bunch of motorcylces on that property coming back,” said Sasseville. “They’re all going to be at the other property camping.”
Sasseville went on to say that while the Sturgis noise extension for the fairgrounds goes to 11:30 p.m., the grounds would be closed at 8 p.m. out of respect for neighbouring residents. He added the campgrounds on 10th are wanted so that vendors could be close to their wares.
With that in mind, Coun. Debbie Cannon said she would want to look at the possibility of rescinding the noise bylaw extension for the fairgrounds. Sasseville replied that this is something he’d have to talk over with his people.
“The fact is, we’re applying for a liquor licence until 10 o’clock, but we’re just putting that as a safety buffer,” said Sasseville. “So, if we’re going to rescind it… I’m not in a position where I know enough about it, that I’m going to go back and say, ‘look, I’ve got your vendor property and now they’ve rescinded the thing.’ There’s a lot more people involved in this than just myself.”
Despite Sasseville’s comment about the campground being used solely by vendors and RVs, Coun. Ken Jamieson said he needed to hear it again if there would be motorcycles on the property. Sasseville said Sturgis could make sure none of the RV’ers bring motorcycles onto the lot, but for the vendors it’s a different matter.
“The vendors, if they have two motorcycles, we couldn’t very well tell them they couldn’t… The odd one does have a motorcycle but not very many,” said Sasseville, noting there will be shuttle buses running daily between town and Sturgis North’s main venue west of town.
“I don’t think there’s going to be much activity from motorcycles at all. And if it does, it will be on a very minimal basis.”
Coun. Alan Harrison noted a letter from Hammer requests use of the campground for only 12 days, adding that’s what council should be considering.
“The temporary use permit will address the number of days of actual camping permitted there, so we can look at that afterwards,” said Harrison.