Venue violations: How an Oxford County wedding venue continues to operate without proper permits

Neighbours living near the Catana Estate wedding venue say it is disrupting their quality of life. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte explains.

An elaborate wedding venue aimed at bringing people together is dividing some of its neighbours.

Several people living in the Township of Blandford-Blenheim can agree it’s a stunning venue, fit for any “I do.” But many residents living close by are saying “I don’t” because they say it’s leading to excessive noise and an increase in traffic.

“You can send the cops up there and nothing happens,” said Myra Livingstone, who has lived in the township since 1989.

She said her life has been flipped upside down after the mansion, known as the Catana Estate, began operating as a wedding venue in 2021.

“It’s every weekend and it’s during the week as bands come and practice. Then there’s the beeping from the catering vehicles,” said Livingstone.

Longtime resident Wayne Coghlin lives 600 ft. from the grounds, and he told township staff during an April council meeting that the music sometimes goes until 2 a.m.

“Maybe with a break for speeches around 6 p.m., when we can hear the names of the bride, groom, wedding party and other speeches,” said Coghlin.

The bright lights have also made it tough for residents to sleep.

“I mean, that whole sky over there is lit up. The power behind the lighting system and the speaker system is beyond anything I have ever experienced. It’s phenomenal,” said Livingstone.

The situation escalated further after residents noticed additional structures being built on the estate grounds, so complaints were made to the township.

“It was realized that a special events venue was operating on lands that were zoned general agricultural. In addition to that, it was determined that there had been structures built on that site that had been built without the mandatory building permits,” said Josh Brick, CAO for the Township of Blandford-Blenheim.

After receiving a notice of violation, property owners Josif and Lidia Catana, along with their representation, applied for official plan and zoning bylaw amendments.

“I do recognize that this operation has been here for a number of years, about three years already, and has operated, we understand, without the proper approvals and that’s why we’re here and to make things right,” said Pierre Chauvin, a partner and planner for MHBC Planning, during the April council meeting. Chauvin, represented the Catanas, who were present in council chambers during the meeting.

Councillor Tina Young asked why they didn’t seek permission to build these additional structures without the proper permits until it was brought to council’s attention.

Sefora Catana, the daughter of the venue’s owners, addressed council and claimed the additional structures were there already, such as the greenhouses, but later diversified into uses for weddings.

She followed that up by saying she didn’t fully understand the zoning requirements.

“If I had to speak more honestly, a lack of understanding from my end, that this was a requirement – building permits for private use,” she said.

Some council members contested the venue is not used for private use, including the house itself, which is advertised on the website as having a bridal suite for guests.

CTV News made several attempts to contact the venue and it’s owners, but they did not respond.

In the end, council voted against the application to legalize the existing special events facilities on the site.

The request then made its way to the county level, where Oxford council denied the application too.

While Blandford-Blenheim staff issued an order directing the Catanas to cease operations, the Catanas went to the Superior Court and a stay was granted.

“It is ordered that the July 10, 2025 Order Prohibiting Occupancy issued on July 10, 2025 by the Township of Blandford-Blenheim and the Chief Building Official of the Township of Blandford-Blenheim, is stayed pending the determination of the appeal,” Justice Barbara MacFarlane wrote in her conclusion.

That means wedding season can continue in full swing at the Catana Estate, despite operating a special events venue on land not zoned for such use.

“The township’s done everything possible to uphold that April 16 decision from council in the public planning meeting,” said Brick.

They are sentiments that were echoed in a statement to CTV News from the township’s mayor.

“As a strategically located and growing municipality, the Township of Blandford-Blenheim welcomes new business and investment. At the same time, we have a duty to ensure that all development follows the proper approval processes that protect the health, safety and long-term prosperity of our community. These requirements are essential to maintaining a fair and sustainable environment for everyone,” said Mayor Mark Peterson.

While the Superior Court’s direction is temporary, the Catanas did file an appeal with the Ontario Land Tribunal following the township’s decision.

It leaves the door open to the possibility of the venue being able to operate indefinitely, which has many people in the community concerned for what a decision in favour of the venue could mean.

“For them to be able to just come in and illegally do what they’re doing, set up and disrupt the whole area, then to get away with it unfortunately sets a precedent,” said Livingstone, highlighting that the outcome of it all will have major implications for communities across Ontario.

A date for the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing has not been set, but scheduling for it could begin as soon as Tuesday.