Festivals and events — namely the popular Bike Night — may continue to be held at a site in Franklin Township.

The township’s zoning hearing board on Monday granted an appeal and release sought by the applicant, Lloyd Otto LLC, and also dismissed citations against them.

Lloyd Otto LLC, the owner of Riders Resort, filed notices of appeal from enforcement notices issued by the township’s former zoning officer.

Enforcement notices were issued pursuant to a section of the Municipalities Planning Code, stating that the applicant was in violation of several sections of the township’s zoning ordinance.

The applicant amended its notice of appeal to include a request for a special exception for the conduct of festivals and events on its premises as an accessory use not located on the same lot pursuant to sections of the zoning ordinance, and as any other use of the same character as the permitted use pursuant to a section of the zoning ordinance.

Alternatively, the applicant requested a variance for the conduct of festivals and events on said property, and to operate ATVs there.

Board solicitor Jenny Serfass noted that the matter was originally scheduled to be held in October, but the applicant had amended it.

Serfass said initially the matter was on two different citations, one for Bike Night, and the other for all-terrain vehicles.

Ultimately, Serfass said the board did not think there was sufficient evidence to warrant the citations, and didn’t think it warranted the violations.

Serfass said the board granted the appeal and the release that was sought by the appellant, and dismissed the citations.

Several neighbors attended the hearing, but no opposition was expressed, Serfass said.

In September, the 19th annual Bike Night was held at Riders Resort, but not before it was in major jeopardy of not even being held at all.

A few days before the event, township officials approved an agreement with the motorcycle enthusiast campground that required the owners of Riders Resort to provide security, portable toilets and to enforce a curfew.

They had to provide six security guards the day of the event, and two the night before; require campers to use fire rings and keep water nearby; provide a first aid station; provide 11 portable toilets; and cover the cost of two additional police shifts for the day — somewhere between $550-600.

Just days before, township officials asked a judge at a hearing on an injunction held in Carbon County Court to block the event because they were concerned Riders Resort was not permitted to operate as an event venue.

However, the township’s attorney asked for a continuance because the two sides were close to a resolution.

The township filed for an injunction against Lloyd Otto LLC one week before the event because officials were concerned about security, trash removal and sewage facilities, and they didn’t have the zoning to operate as an event venue.

The event raised money for Valor Clinic Foundation.

In 2016, the event was held at the Mahoning Drive-In and raised $2,700 for Valor.

In 2015, it was hosted by the Franklin Township Fire Company.

And in 2014, it was held at the Grove in Lehighton, as well as the surrounding areas of Seventh, Eighth, Iron and Alum streets.

That came after the event had been held in the borough’s lower and upper park each of the previous 15 years.