Hotel proposed for Naramata
Winery owner wants to build 20-unit boutique hotel on Lower Bench
The owner of a Naramata winery is hoping to bring a five-star hotel to the Lower Bench.
Tony Holler, owner of Poplar Grove Winery, hosted an open house Tuesday to introduce the concept, still in its early stages, to neighbours and the public.
The proposed 20-unit boutique hotel is planned for the a site directly north of Poplar Grove Winery on 486 Lower Bench Rd.
Early concepts for the hotel have underground parking, with the hotel built into the side of a hill.
While the concept is still in development, Holler wants to bring forward the idea to neighbours before making any major decisions.
“It’s always been my experience that the best thing to do is give people as much information as you can at the present time,” Holler said. “The design of the building isn’t going to be the same as what they saw. This is our first crack at it so we can show people something.”
He said that in his talks with neighbours, most liked the concept and some themes emerged, including questions around whether the zoning change will set a precedent.
Holler has made an application to the Agricultural Land Commission, and a rezoning application has been sent to the city requesting alternative use for the land currently zoned as agricultural.
“It has never been used for agriculture because it’s basically a sheet of bedrock,” Holler said. “But I understand people’s concern.”
He said the concern of setting a precedent for rezoning agricultural land is a real one, but one-third of the 0.6-hectare property is agricultural.
“I do think people worry about that, but you know we’re big farmers. We farm with my sons, about 130 acres (53 hectares), so I’m acutely aware of the value of agricultural land,” Holler said. “I just don’t think there are unique properties like this on the Naramata Bench.”
Construction of the project, should Holler be granted approvals, could begin next year in the best-case scenario.
“It looks well designed and well done, but it’s sort of contrary to what we we’re looking for when we got our piece of property, which is very close — just a stone’s throw away,” said nearby resident Chris Bull. “We bought that piece of property because we were looking for something a bit rural even though it’s close to town.”
Bull said he and his wife appreciate the fact that the ALC was in place to hold the land for agricultural reasons.
“I understand they think this will fit in with agri-tourism — it probably will — but it doesn’t fit our vision of what we were wanting on our property,” Bull said. “It’s going to detract, I think, from the natural area of Munson Mountain. I don’t like the concept personally, but I can see where, for the greater good of Penticton, perhaps it’s what people would want. It isn’t what I would want.”
Elaine Swan, who has lived nearby for 43 years, said the hotel is a really interesting concept, but still in the early stages.
“I think it needs a little work to do yet, especially with traffic concerns,” Swan said.
When he acquired the property, Holler hoped to build something that would benefit the entire Naramata Bench and the wine industry.
“If we could have high-end tourists stay on the bench, they would likely spend most of their time on the bench and it would be a benefit to the whole community,” Holler said.