By Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
On Monday, Town council will review an application for a temporary use permit to service race cars at 6243 Kootenay Street.
Contract planner Chris Garrish says the applicant is seeking approval to establish a temporary, three-year business servicing race cars. This would include minor installation of accessories (seatbelts, mirrors, etc.), driver coaching and training seminars, and storage of cars. Garrish said there would be no engine or fabrication service involved.
The applicant said there is no one selling helmets, shoes, boots or other racing accessories except in Vancouver. So he noted the obvious location for this type of business is close to the Area 27 racetrack in Oliver.
“The reason I’m not applying for a permanent change is I also want to make sure the location is a good fit,” the applicant added.
Garrish said the shop on Kootenay Street will not be a showroom but more of an education centre with retail and minor service.
The planner said vehicles will continue to be sold from the applicant’s main shop in Kelowna (August Motors) and at Area 27.
Garrish indicated the applicant is seeking a trial run before making a decision regarding long-term zoning. He noted the applicant is proposing to operate within the existing structure, adding that no expansion is planned. Business will be by appointment only.
“While there could be potential conflict with adjacent residential land uses, limiting the use to the sale, rental, training or instruction and retail sales should mitigate this impact,” Garrish said.
