Wedding Chapel Blues in Norwich Township

Friday, 2 November 2018 11:45

A wedding Chapel in Norwich Township is having problems getting the proper zoning and the local pride committee thinks it could be because they performed a same sex marriage last summer.

NORWICH TOWNSHIP - The Oxford County Pride Committee is throwing their support behind a wedding chapel in Norwich Township that is having problems getting the proper zoning.

Norwich Township initially approved the zoning in principle for Bell Farmstead with the understanding that an amendment needed to made to the official plan amendment. The request went to the County and more information came out at that time and the Norwich Township has now deferred the motion to another meeting on November 27th.

President of the Oxford County Pride Committee Tami Murray says the problems from Council started after the venue performed a same sex marriage in the summer.

"There was a comment overheard in the council chambers in regards to a same sex marriage that was not reflected in the minutes and we just want to make sure that their is transparency in the council and we want to make it clear that we are supporting the business."

Norwich Township adamantly denies the decision to defer the approval of their business had anything to do with a same sex wedding. Mayor Larry Martin explains why they made the decision to defer.

"They have been operating without a licence and they used a tent, so the noise is going to be horrific and their proposal is to put up a wedding barn facility and it is going to be a year round centre and that is why it is coming back, it has nothing to do all that other stuff."

Martin says the comment about the same sex wedding did come up at the original council meeting from a member of the public.

"One gentlemen did speak up to say that they had performed a same sex marriage but that had nothing to do with the decision and anybody can attend a council meeting. The decision was not rejected at council, the council did support it in principle but when all the other information came back, we thought we should maybe have a second look at it in regards to the dust and noise and everything that goes along with it.

Murray says the Pride Committee will be attending the next council meeting to show their support.

"We really want to stand behind the business owners and support them and support the community and encourage diversity and inclusion in the community and make sure this message is sent across the community, that we are going to support these types of venues to be able to expand their business and be inclusive."