A group of Arthur Drive residents say Delta has broken its own rules by building a noisy party barn in their neighbourhood.
Tara Sudbury and her husband Rick are dismayed with what's been taking place at the Harris Barn every weekend since the venue opened this spring, wondering if the Corporation of Delta is breaking all kinds of regulations by setting up a banquet facility close to their back yard and in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
"There was no notification that this would be used as an event venue for 475 people, 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. There was no notification this was not going to be a passive heritage venue. What we were told is it would be used to celebrate the farming heritage," she told the Optimist.
Opened in late May, the historic Harris Barn was relocated from a property on 64th Street, reassembled and refurbished at Hawthorne Grove Park, also known as the Kirkland House site. The Ladner property already had the restored heritage house maintained by the Kirkland House Foundation, which entered an agreement with the municipality to run the barn as well.
Already fully booked for weddings and other events every weekend this year and throughout 2014, the barn has 8,000 square feet of space over two floors. The addition of the barn to the Ladner site provides a new venue for large special events that had previously been lacking in Delta, according to the municipality.
However, since the barn opened for business, every weekend has been a noisy nightmare, said Rick Sudbury, who has called the police numerous times, including last weekend during the Delta Farmers' Institute annual dinner.
Making things more annoying is the lighting, he said, noting a recent Delta Hospital Foundation gala had a light show that made the slough look like Las Vegas.
Questioning how a commercial banquet facility could be built within feet of Chillukthan Slough, Perry Long, who lives down the street, said a private business would have been stopped in its tracks trying to operate a "party barn" in the ALR, but Delta thinks it can get away with it.
Doug Halliday agreed, noting area residents were given the impression the facility, at most, would be used as a meeting venue for community groups. He said it's a full-time, money-making banquet operation, which has wreaked havoc on the peaceful enjoyment of his property.
Questioning Delta's right to build such an operation, including a paved parking lot, the Sudburys have filed for a judicial review.
The group represented its grievances to the Delta parks and recreation commission a few weeks ago, citing party noise, public drunkenness, car alarms, increased traffic, light pollution, potential for slough pollution and continual police attendance.
Parks and recreation department director Ken Kuntz told the Optimist there was a learning curve and many changes have already been implemented since the barn's opening to address concerns, no different than other venues such as the nearby Ladner Community Centre.
Those changes include keeping the big barn doors closed during events, more stringent security deposit rules and a Delta staffer being on hand, at no cost to taxpayers, to ensure rules are being followed.
"I think we've made great strides. We've got more work to be done but we've solved a lot of the problems that's there," he said.
Colin Campbell, president of the Kirkland House Society, said wedding receptions have been held on the grounds for the last few years with only a tent as a cover.
Campbell, who lives two blocks from the barn, also noted the venue is for Delta groups to use during the week, while weddings and other events are only permitted on weekends.
He said the changes implemented since the summer have resulted in minimal noise.
"I've asked my immediate neighbours and on both sides and across the street if they heard the music and if it bothers them and they all laughed and said, 'Yes, we can hear that there is music, but it doesn't bother us.' We cut the sound way down and it's not at a nuisance level any longer," he said.
Campbell added the only time any substantial noise leaks through is when someone exits the smaller side door for a smoke.
