By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The regional district has given three readings to a proposal that will see 10 agri-tourism accommodation units built in Osoyoos.
A Sept. 22 public hearing was held on the zoning amendment application for a 4.97 hectare property on the north side of 89th Street and 148th Avenue.
Regional planner Shannon Duong told the board the property is entirely within the Agricultural Land Reserve and contains a vineyard. She noted the proposal is to build 10 sleeping units in conjunction with La Stella Winery.
Duong noted that agri-tourism accommodation is a permitted use on the property subject to certain criteria: farm status; short-term stays (maximum of 30 consecutive days); contained within one building; and no cooking facilities within the units.
But due to the size of the parcel, only five units are permitted. Ten units are only allowed on parcels greater than eight hectares.
To get around this, the applicant has applied for a zoning amendment to allow the additional five units.
In her report, Duong stated the regional district is generally concerned about the development of agricultural land for non-agricultural uses. She noted that administration previously recommended that a restrictive covenant be registered to prohibit the construction of any agri-tourism accommodation units on the La Stella property itself.
Brad Elenko, the applicant’s agent, said if they are not allowed to build 10 units on the subject property on 89th Street, they will build five units on that piece of land and five units on the adjacent La Stella Winery property.
Elenko told council that the proposal is consistent will requirements set out by the Agricultural Land Commission, which allows 10 accommodation units in this case. He reiterated the proposal calls for 10 units on one parcel and a restriction on the other parcel prohibiting any units on that one.
Elenko said that traffic will increase on 148th Avenue if they have to build the additional five units on the La Stella property. He added that approximately 35 per cent more land will be needed to accommodate two, five-unit buildings rather than one, 10-unit building.
“Having one project is clearly good for agriculture as we are going to use significantly less agricultural land,” Elenko said.
He pointed out that, under the 10-unit proposal, no extra traffic will occur
on the portion of 148th near the residential area.
The agent said the building will be nestled within a vineyard and screened from the closest residence by 0.23 km of vineyard.
“This will not have a negative effect on the use and enjoyment of surrounding residential properties,” he added.
He informed council that 61 people have signed letters of support for the zoning amendment.
The board approved third reading without discussion as well as the restrictive covenant.
