Niagara-on-the-Lake council has denied TASC Tulip Pick Farm’s request for a special event permit to revive its late summer tulip festival.
Councillors who opposed the permit cited concerns about the farm’s previous festival event in the spring, issues with the current proposal and asked whether a permit was necessary at all.
Following council’s rejection of the special events permit, the tulip farm’s co-founder Frank Boendermaker told The Lake Report he’s working with the town and that it wouldn’t be “appropriate” to assume what the future of the fall festival will be.
TASC director of operations Jon Martin said in council the proposed festival was intended to “test the waters” before planning a larger event similar to the one held in the spring.
That event, which ran from late April to early May, faced several issues, including traffic congestion and heavy rain that turned the fields muddy, prompting complaints from nearby residents.
In June, co-founder Boendermaker apologized to council. He and his wife, Jill McCourt, own the 55-acre farm, which grows more than three million tulips.
Martin said the fall event, which they proposed to run from Aug. 22 to Oct. 2, would include changes to avoid the problems seen in the spring.
Food trucks would be eliminated and attendance capped at 3,000 people — down from the 10,000 initially targeted.
“We’re making sure the parking lot can handle the traffic,” he said, noting the site has 100 parking spots.
Council was divided on the issue. A motion by Coun. Erwin Wiens to grant the permit with conditions was defeated in a 5–3 vote.
Coun. Maria Mavridis voted against the permit, but said if it were approved, ticket sales should be limited to 100 per hour, aligning with the number of available parking spaces.
“I don’t want to see vehicles parked on the side streets,” she said.
Mavridis also questioned the need for a special event permit if attendees were only picking flowers.
“Why is this an event that’s five weeks long vs. this is your business?” she asked. She later confirmed with Martin that no alcohol, food or drinks would be sold.
Coun. Sandra O’Connor also voted no, expressing concern about the festival’s length and the precedent it could set.
“Have we ever issued a permit for six weeks?” she asked.
She also questioned whether the spring event was held under a special event permit. Martin confirmed it was. She then asked why council was being consulted this time, since such permits are usually approved by town staff.
“Last time, council did not know about our special event permit,” Martin said. “We’re just trying to be above board.”
Kirsten McCauley, the town’s director of community and development services, said the event qualifies as a commercial operation and requires a special event permit because tickets are being sold.
Coun. Andrew Niven, who also voted no, said he supports the idea of a tulip festival, but remains concerned about the scale and its potential impact on neighbours.
“It’s a great festival,” he said. “But my focus is the neighbours.”
Couns. Tim Balasiuk and Gary Burroughs also voted against the permit.
However, some councillors supported the proposal, calling the business a positive addition to the community.
Coun. Adriana Vizzari and Coun. Wendy Cheropita voted in favour. Cheropita praised Boendermaker’s apology to council in June.
Wiens also voted in favour, saying the motion simply asked council to consider the event based on staff input. He said the farm has been cooperative and responsible.
“They’ve been good corporate citizens,” he said.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa did not attend the meeting.
According to the town’s website, a special event permit is required for events involving street closures, fireworks, live entertainment, temporary structures, food or alcohol service, large volumes of traffic, or gatherings of more than 50 people.
The application requires a $100 fee and must be submitted at least six weeks before the event.
TASC submitted its application one week before Martin appeared before council, said chief administrative officer Nick Ruller.
The farm was established in Niagara-on-the-Lake last October. TASC operates in Canada, the U.S. and the Netherlands and also runs a tulip farm in Fenwick, Ont.
