Town of Osoyoos council has cleared the way for the first craft distillery to open in Osoyoos after members of council stated all concerns by neighbours relating to health concerns, location, fire safety, parking and traffic had been properly addressed.

Following a second and final public hearing Monday afternoon in council chambers, Andrea Zaradic and her life and business partner Mike Green were all smiles after council voted unanimously to add a craft distillery as permitted use at 6001 Lakeshore Drive in Osoyoos.

Tumbleweed Spirits will produce premium vodka and gin from its facility in Osoyoos.

During the first public hearing in late March, some members of the public expressed concerns about a craft distillery opening near a residential neighbourhood, citing concerns over potential fumes and odours, fungus, the location of the facility, parking and traffic.

Several people who voiced their concerns at the first public meeting appeared again on Monday to state those same concerns.

Osmond Abbott, a homeowner on Bayview Crescent adjacent to the distillery site, said he and several of his neighbours still believe the location isn’t right.

“We’re not opposed to development … we just don’t want it so close to our homes,” he said.

Products used to make liquor are “highly flammable” and the potential for disaster does exist if a fire were to occur, said Osmond.

Ydella Dulcetta, another neighbour on Bayview Crescent, said she and her husband both suffer from chronic lung problems and are extremely worried about fumes and fungus she has researched that can be produced by distilleries.

‘”I’m 77 and my husband is 81 … and we don’t want to have to sell our home,” she said.

She’s also not opposed to a new business being opened and creating jobs, but allowing a distillery near a residential neighbourhood isn’t right, she said.

“I wish them (owners) all the success in the world, but I don’t want this built near my place,” she said. “I’m not convinced there won’t be health repercussions. If this does go through, I’m going to have to move.”

Kathy Hiebert, who along with her husband Tim owns the building where the new distillery will operate from, said the building is already zoned for “special industrial” and there are numerous other industrial businesses in this area that have operated for many years without any problems.

“This area … is known as the East Bench industrial park and has been around longer than the Beuna Vista park” on the other side of town, she said. “I think the addition of a craft distillery would be a nice, quaint business that will do very well in our town.

“Osoyoos needs industry and we need to welcome new businesses … and new jobs.”

Grant Stevely, the owner of Dubh Glas Distillery that opened near a residential neighbourhood near Gallagher Lake north of Oliver last year, also voiced support for the project.

There were some neighbours who shared similar concerns before his facility opened and he’s proud to say all of those concerns have been addressed and his distillery has been running without any problems for over a year.

“These operations are very small,” he told council.

Zaradic said she and her husband are excited about the prospects of opening their new business in Osoyoos and joining the growing craft distillery industry that has taken off across B.C.

“The craft distillery industry is experiencing a renaissance and growth across Canada and B.C. is leading the way,” she said.

There are now more than 70 small craft distilleries in the province, she said.

While she respects the concerns of people with homes in the area, Zaradic said the distillery industry is heavily regulated and safe.

“We have to adhere to all building and fire codes,” she said. “In no way will we be producing any fungus or odours.”

Zaradic said Tumbleweed Spirits hopes to become a solid corporate citizen in Osoyoos for many years to come.

Coun. Mike Campol said a detailed staff report and comments from the public during the two public hearings have convinced him Zaradic and Green have done everything to appease all concerns and he enthusiastically supported their new business venture.

After the vote, Green gave a fist pump and then hugged his wife.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times