Fernwood Resort finally gets its outdoor music permit; Hipnic tickets go on sale Tuesday.

In Big Sur redwood country, confining live music indoors is like eating imported tomatoes in August. 

Yesterday's decision by County Zoning Administrator Jacqueline Onciano, officially allowing Fernwood Resort to host outdoor concerts, gives the people more vine-ripe tomatoes.

The decision didn't amount to a whole new permit like the one Henry Miller Memorial Library secured in January, sanctioning a limited number of big outdoor events (including concerts) at the 34-year-old cultural landmark.

Fernwood, just a few minutes up Highway 1 from HMML, only had to amend its existing general development plan to formalize the outdoor concerts it sometimes hosts in its camping area.

According to county planner Liz Gonzales, the zoning administrator's April 17 approval was based on "positive comments and recommendation of approval received from the Big Sur Land Use Advisory Committee."

That means Fernwood can finally start selling tickets for Hipnic VII, the folk-rock festival scheduled for May 15-17. Promoter (((folkYEAH!!)))'s web page on the festival is back up after going MIA for a few weeks. Ticket sales launch Tuesday, April 21 at noon.

As a condition of the permit, only people who buy 3-day event passes including camping/room/tent/cabin rentals can attend Hipnic VII. Organizers say anyone who is not a registered Fernwood guest will be turned away. Fernwood managers are asking guests to park only on the Fernwood property and not along Highway 1.

(A Caltrans spokewoman has told the Weekly it's not illegal to park outside the white fog line: “Anyone is allowed to park along the shoulder." Those spaces, however, don't count toward parking in the permit process.)

Both Fernwood and Henry Miller have been hosting outdoor concerts for years, but this year marks the first time the county has formally allowed them.