Times-Chronicle Staff
A butcher is proposing to move his shop from Station Street to downtown Oliver.
Black Sage Butcher is applying for a zoning amendment to allow the business to legally operate downtown at 6234 Main Street.
Currently, food and beverage processing is not a permitted use in the Town Centre zone, therefore, a site-specific zoning amendment is required.
The proposed location is an empty commercial space with a residential unit above.
Director of Development Services Randy Houle said the amendment will allow a distillery, winery or other related business to open in this location in the future.
Houle said the impact of these future businesses on neighbouring properties would be minimal.
“Staff do not see any added concerns of a butcher shop being located in close proximity to the neighbouring properties beyond ensuring that garbage pickup occurs on a frequent basis.”
Houle said the proposal will help fill another empty retail space along Main Street, leading to more local tourist traffic in the downtown core.
In a letter to town council, Black Sage Butcher directors Matt Leyes and Ravina Johal said their Station Street location is too small to meet the needs of their growing business.
The directors pointed out that if they are permitted to operate on Main Street, they will be able to broaden their product offerings and eventually hire more staff.
The directors said they respect the new location’s proximity to residential homes but noted they will keep reasonable daylight hours with no concern of violating Oliver’s noise regulations.
“Every effort will be made to minimize noise from our equipment. Food waste will be picked up regularly, and additional precautions will be taken to minimize odours from waste bins.”
The directors stated that if they are unable to operate at the new location, their future will be uncertain.
Council plans to discuss the application on Monday.
Black Sage Butcher hopes to relocate to this location on Main Street.
(Photo contributed)
