Farm property allowed 3 sleeping units for agri-tourism
The owners of a newly established vineyard on the southeast corner of Penticton have been granted permission to operate three sleeping units as a form of agri-tourism against the wishes of some neighbours.
City council this week voted 4-3 to approve the site-specific zoning required for the project at 3810 Valleyview Rd. Opposing votes were cast by Couns. Amelia Boultbee, Ryan Graham and James Miller, who didn’t offer explanations.
The zoning change was prompted by complaints to the City of Penticton last year following the arrival of the three sleeping units, which are large, glassy trailers that were manufactured outside the country.
The property lies fully within the Agricultural Land Reserve, rules of which permit up to 10 sleeping spaces on the site, but require the zoning to match.
Two people spoke against the proposal at a 30-minute public hearing on Tuesday night, including Bruce Morgenstern, who presented a letter from six neighbours that touched on a range of concerns, from increased traffic to farm values.
“The ALR is not intended to be a venue for a hotel,” said Morgenstern.
Another neighbour, Elizabeth Marion, was concerned about the kitchens inside the sleeping units.
“It keeps being touted as sleeping units and my understanding is sleeping units do not have kitchens, which all of these units do,” said Marion.
But the status of the kitchens, along with more pressing details like water and sewer hookups, are among the issues that still have to be ironed out before the city will issue building permits for the project, according to Blake Laven, director of development services.
“The bylaw still would give the ability to operate agritourism accommodation on the property for three sleeping units,” added Laven. “So, if not these units, then other units could be placed on the property should council pass this bylaw.”
James Parker, who owns the 7.2-acre property with his wife Krista, told council the sleeping units are required for the long-term viability of the farm, which was planted in 2021 with two acres of grapes.
“Farming is a tough job. I’m out there working until 10 or 11 o’clock every night trying to improve the quality of that neighbourhood,” said Parker via telephone during the public hearing. Asked specifically about who would stay in the sleeping units, Parker suggested triathlete and wine tourists would be the “biggest target audience,” given the location’s proximity to a handful of other wineries.
City council in 2019 approved a similar site-specific variance for sleeping units on the neighbouring agricultural property at 3550 Valleyview Rd.