Roxodus Music Fest gets council approval

Clearview council has paved the way for Roxodus Music Fest to go ahead.
By approving a special event agreement and a temporary use zoning, council has given the go-ahead for organizers, even though some permits and required documents were still outstanding at the time. The approvals were voted on at a special meeting held Wednesday afternoon, in the final hours that would still allow for an appeal.
Doug McKechnie was the only councillor to oppose both motions, saying there is too much of a downside and the concert – even though it is being held at Edenvale Aerodrome – is not an aviation related event.
“I cannot support this at all,” he said. “We stand to lose a lot as a community. There will be very little economic benefit…”
But it was Connie Leishman, the councillor for the ward, who had the toughest decision. She voted against the agreement but when it came time to vote for the zoning, she agreed to the option tabled (to permit one event in 2019 and one event in 2020, both with a maximum of five days).
“This has been tough… It has affected my health but not as much as it has affected the health of my neighbours,” she said, fighting off tears. “This is a damned if you do and a damned if you don’t situation.”
To her constituents she said, “I know you won’t trust me after this and that hurts because I’m the kind of councillor that likes to help her neighbours.”
Leishman tried to have the motion amended to add a caveat that the outcome of the 2019 event would impact the 2020 rezoning but found out it was not allowed.
The lawyer acting on behalf of the municipality, Jim McIntosh, said not to worry, organizers would have to come back to council next year with a new special event agreement.
The approvals went against the planning consultant’s recommendation to deny the temporary permitted use based on the applicant not fulfilling the complete application requirements established by the Township of Clearview, not possessing the required clearances and conformity with planning policy.
Most council members, staff and the lawyer were confident that the agreement date June 19 – between the Township of Clearview, the County of Simcoe, MF Live (promoters) and property owners Taurus Investment Group and Edenvale Aerodrome – would protect the municipality because the agreement is registered to the title of the land so if organizers do not adhere to it, Clearview can seek “injunctive relief” to take recourse.
The County of Simcoe and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority had raised concerns about the event proceeding. There were concerns that alterations to the site had been done without the proper permits and oversight. McIntosh said those objections have been withdrawn as the concerns are being addressed and the parties have agreed to deal with compensation and remediation to address the removal of trees and vegetation and the placement of fill prior to obtaining the required approvals and permits and any damage that may have been caused to the Natural Heritage Features or their ecological functions.
Officials said the MTO permit application is in its final stages and organizers are addressing security, noise, waste management, and bylaw enforcement among other concerns.
“They still have a hell of a lot of work to do,” said Mayor Doug Measures. “We’ve done everything we can do to protect the interest of all of Clearview.”
“To be honest, this event is going to happen whatever we decide,” said Measures adding there could be long legal battles otherwise. “Or we can be clear and show confidence in our staff.”
COA Steve Sage said he agrees with the mayor, that the approval process “has sucked the air out of staff.”
“The fear of the unknown has created some angst,” said Sage. “It hasn’t been easy.”
Roxodus Music Fest is a four-day concert featuring more than 20 bands including headliners Nickelback, Lynard Skynyrd, Kid Rock and Aerosmith, from July 11-14. Organizers have now said they will open the festival grounds on July 10 for camping and performances on the secondary stage.