Delta council recently approved providing relief from the city’s noise control bylaw for several recurring and/or private events anticipated to take place at Harris Barn in Ladner.
The relief is sought for the events in 2024 to provide certainty for organizers and expedite their facility use approvals at the time of booking, according to staff.
Council last year approved changes to the parks and recreation fees bylaw, which also expanded private event rental use of the Harris Barn. The previous guidelines did not allow for private use of the facility with amplified music after 7 p.m. and permitted a maximum of 18 annual community-based events with amplified music until 10:30 p.m.
A report to council notes that the expanded uses “marginally increases” the opportunity for evening uses at the Barn throughout the calendar year. The updated guidelines support up to 24 bookings with amplified music beyond the bylaw, 12 for community-based events and 12 for private events.
The report notes that during a review of the barn’s rental policy, staff identified that while up to 18 community-based events with amplified music could occur annually, on average, less than six events were booked for that type of event.
The heritage barn, erected in 2013 on the grounds of the Kirkland House, has 8,000 square feet of space over two floors. It was to provide a new venue for large special events that had previously been lacking in Delta, according to the municipality during the grand opening.
A year later, in 2014, a petition to have the Harris Barn dismantled was thrown out of court.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge that year dismissed a case brought forward by a Ladner couple who argued that the city illegally constructed the structure next to their home.
As soon as it opened, it was fully booked for weddings and other events, however, neighbouring homeowners were soon upset about nighttime party noise and the lighting.
Delta introduced measures to mitigate the concerns, but those weren’t satisfactory for the residents.
Council then agreed the municipality would back out of the lucrative wedding reception business at the barn.
