In just one week, 40,000 people will make their way to Burl’s Creek Event Grounds for the WayHome Music and Arts Festival and a permit issued on Tuesday night has led to some new concerns.

Oro-Medonte town council approved a special events permit for 92 acres that is already zoned appropriately for the event. However, a permit needed for more than 400 acres that would be used for camping and parking was denied.

"Simply because it is not zoned and it's illegal, and we cannot condone an illegal act by anybody," says Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough.

In a statement, event organizers said, “We are very excited to be hosting our first festival at Burl's Creek event grounds that will showcase the beauty of the site and our region to music lovers from around the world."

If festival organizers allow parking and camping on the newly acquired land surrounding Burl’s Creek, it will be illegal and there will be consequences.

"Our bylaw staff will go before the courts and lay charges under the relevant acts, under the planning acts for zoning violations," says Hough.

When asked specifically about the permits that were denied and where festival goers would camp and park, Rock-it promotions, the public relations firm representing Burl’s Creek, said, “As you can imagine the Burl’s Creek team is busy getting ready for the WayHome festival and is unavailable for further comment."

There's already one charge pending against Burl's Creek. It allowed camping and parking on un-zoned land during a flea market in June. Fines can reach up to $50,000 per day, per piece of land.

Luke Greiner lives on 9th Line and wants to see what happens.

"We haven't even had the first concert so we'll see how it goes. It is literally in my backyard, so I'm hoping we can enjoy the concert."

Burl’s Creek has also applied for a temporary use permit for the land in question. Township staff says it is unlikely to go to council before the first festival.

Staff at Oro-Medonte say Burl’s Creek event grounds has also submitted an application to widen the 7th Line from Highway 11 to the event grounds. There's no word on when that will go to council.

Permit needed for camping, parking on over 400 acres of land at Burl’s Creek denied