Public to get say on B&B

An attempt to legitimize the offering of overnight accommodations at a Naramata winery may be dogged by the long-running illegal bed and breakfast that previously operated on the site.

The new owner of Therapy Vineyards of Lower Debeck Road is seeking a zoning variance to operate six units of agri-tourism housing — a bedroom where a guest stays while learning about agriculture. Current zoning permits up to five such rooms on the site.

The units, along with a caretaker suite, would be built in an existing house in which the former owner of Therapy operated a nine-bedroom bed and breakfast, contrary to local bylaws and to the consternation of some neighbours who had to put up with the noise from upwards of 22 guests.

“This has been a challenging one,” said Karla Kozakevich, who represents Naramata on the board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

At her urging, the board on Thursday sent the matter to a public hearing.

Kozakevich emphasized the new owner has not operated the bed and breakfast since taking control of the winery and is working to bring the operation into compliance with local bylaws.

Renovation of the house is already underway, and another rural RDOS director fears allowing even one additional unit will send the wrong message to others looking to push their luck with bylaws.

“We keep having issues with people not knowing the zoning — or claiming they didn’t know the zoning didn’t allow it — and then they come back for a variance and we approve it,” said Tom Siddon, who represents Area D (Okanagan Falls/Kaleden).

“I’d just like to know how long we’re going to keep doing this,” he added later.

The public hearing will be held July 19.

Naramata’s advisory planning commission in May voted 3-2 to recommend the RDOS board deny the variance.

The committee received 10 letters from neighbours opposed to the variance and just one offering conditional support.