Blissfest
Special Use Permit request|
Request For Special Use Permit: 2/5/01 Purpose: The purpose of the Special Use Permit request is to authorize temporary auxiliary parking and camping areas under Article VIII Section 801-3 (allowing for tenting areas or camping grounds) during the Blissfest’s annual weekend festival on a portion of an 80 acre parcel that was acquired by the Blissfest Music Organization in 1998 and is contiguous to 40 acres of Blissfest property purchased in 1995. An additional 20 acres of temporary auxiliary camping is also being requested on leased property adjacent to the Blissfest property. The Blissfest has operated since 1992 under a Special Use Permit which allows for the annual Blissfest Festival on their original 40 acre site. Other than the temporary parking and camping to be covered by the requested Special Use Permit, all Blissfest festival activities will remain within the area of the original 40 acre site under the original Special Use Permit approved in 1992. By applying for this Special Use Permit, the Blissfest is not waiving its right to use its 80 acre parcel as allowed under the FF-2 District, including the non-commercial use of the parcel by Blissfest’s guests. Property Description: The property in question is described as the West ½ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 12, Township 37 North, Range 6 West. There are 75 total acres excluding road right of way. The property features 12 acres of hardwood forest and the remaining 63 acres open field. The soils are predominantly represented by the Emmet sandy loam series with a small amount in the Blue Lake loamy sand series. The property is gently rolling with slopes that are primarily in the 2-6 degree range and some areas in the 6-12 degree range. There are no wetlands, waterways or other outstanding natural features on the property. There is an existing 5 acre spruce planting that is approximately 7 years old in the south sector and recent plantings of 2,000 white pine saplings along the north and west perimeters. Leased Property: The proposed leased property is described as the north 20 acres of the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 12 in Readmond Township owned by Robert Barcheski. The property is gently rolling open field.Existing Conditions: The Blissfest property is primarily open space at this time. It does have some existing fence posts, 4 light poles and one 20’ travel trailer used as a temporary office during the Blissfest. There is one improved 30’ opening onto the property that has a culvert and an afton stone base. There is a Great Lake Energy transmission line easement that bisects the middle portion of the property. The Barcheski property is open field and also has a Great Lakes Energy easement along its north border. Refer to existing conditions map #1 and site map #2. Description of use: 1. Camping area: The temporary camping and parking area will encompass approximately 60 acres of the Blissfest property and 20 acres of the Barcheski property. 2. Number of Campsites: There will be up to 1400 temporary campsites. 3. Infrastructure: The Blissfest will obtain from the Dist. 3 Health Department a temporary campground permit that specifies the number of temporary Porto-Jons, Dumpsters and water outlets required. 4. Parking: There will be a 5 acre temporary parking area that will hold up to 700 vehicles. It would comply with the 300 sq. ft. minimum required per vehicle. 5. Portable Office: A tent and/or travel trailer will be used as a temporary office during the annual weekend Blissfest. 6. Setback: The camping area will maintain a 100ft setback from the property line. The temporary parking area will maintain a 50 ft setback. 7. Access Points: There will be one improved main access onto the property from Division Rd. and an additional service entrance from Hill Rd. 8. Temporary Campground rules
9. Hours of operation: the camping and parking areas will be used from 12 noon on Friday to 12 noon on the following Monday one weekend per year. If the Special Use Permit is granted as to the additional 80 acres of Blissfest and leased property, Blissfest would agree to imposition of the following conditions that would affect the festival activities within the original 40 acre site and treat the original Special Use Permit as amended. Blissfest Festival Operation: The Blissfest annual weekend event has historically included cultural enrichment programs and workshops in music and dance as well as craft, food and merchandize sales and auxiliary camping and parking. 1.Scope of the Festival: The following limits on the scope of the festival will be adhered to: Paid Attendance: 4,200; Temporary Camp Sites: 1,800; Craft Booths: 45; Food Booths: 15; Non-Profit Educational Tables: 5; Day Parking 700 vehicles. 2.Hours of operation: The festival will operate Friday evening from 6pm-12:30 am; Saturday from 11am-12:30 am and Sunday from 11am to 10:30pm. Any out-door amplified music will be confined to these hours of operation. 3.Setup and take down Time: Setup will begin one week prior to the festival and will include setting up tents, porto-jons, dumpsters, recycle containers. Take down will be concluded one week after the festival. 4.Camping: Gates will open for general festival camping at 12 noon on Friday. Camping for staff will be allowed beginning 1 week prior to the festival and extend one week after the festival not to exceed 12 campsites. 5. Setback: 50 foot setback for the camping areas on the original 40 acre parcel will be observed. 6. Buffer: Blissfest will plant pine saplings and other species to provide for a visual and sound buffer around the property. 7. Lighting: Lighting will be used only for patron safety and security purposes. Deflectors and low watt bulbs will be included. Stage lights will be used only during hours of operation. 8. Traffic Control: Speed limit signs will be posted near the festival and traffic will be routed on paved roads. 9. Dust Control: Dust control measures will be continued along Hill and Division Rds. 10. The Blissfest management will expand its coverage to include better management of impacts in the local community as well as implement an outreach to respond to problems as they occur off site and intervene as needed to resolve them. 11. Blissfest will plan to add a temporary shower facility during the festival weekend. Infrastructure: A festival site map is included with specifications for a public health temporary camping permit including typical locations for portable toilets, solid waste units and water outlets. Use areas: The festival site map also identifies the following designated use areas: Events and Commons area, Auxiliary Camping Areas and Auxiliary Parking areas.
We invite you to help us in this new phase of seeking approval for the Special Use Permit that allows for additional camping on our property for one weekend per year. We welcome any comments or concerns by mail or email, jim@blissfest.org. .
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