Highlights of the presentation include:
Subject Property
- Large vacant agricultural property with 4.3 acres vineyard planted in Spring 2020;
- Located in the Goats Peak/Gellatly neighbourhood;
- Land Use Designation: Agricultural;
- Zoning: A1 - Agricultural;
- Located within Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR);
- Surrounding land uses include:
- North: Agricultural;
- South: Goats Peak CDP Rural Residential;
- West: Timber Processing and Service Commercial and future Rural Residential Medium Parcel (RU3);
- Over 17 acres (7 ha);
- 4.5 acres vineyard anticipated to be planted in 2021;
Previous Application
- Original application received May 2020 for Non-Farm Use application and DVP for height variance - designed as lighthouse;
- AAC supported the file at the June 4, 2020 meeting;
- Council postponed issuance of DVP 20-08 and supported Non-Farm Use for winery at the October 13, 2020 meeting;
- Non-Farm Use application A 20-01 currently still under review by ALC;
- Council recommended further public consultation and more detailed design of the lighthouse;
DVP Revised Proposal
- Revised proposal variance to increase height from 15m to 35.05m for a tasting facility;
Applicant Rationale
- Designed to maximize vineyard planting;
- Building design is a modern take on Tuscan towers with look-out pods;
- 4.3 acres vineyard planted in 2020 with 4.5 acres coming in 2021;
- Visual Impact Assessment showed renderings of viewpoints;
Policy& Bylaw Review
- OCP Review - protects and enhances agriculture while supporting economically sound community;
- Agricultural Plan - encourages efforts to increase economic activity of the agricultural industry;
- Zoning Review - A1 Zone permits winery however maximum building height of 15m;
- All other setting regulations are met by this revised proposal;
- ALR Policy - lot coverage limit of 5% and proposed lot coverage is approximately 3.7%;
No new referral comments have been received at this time;
Key Considerations
- Height of 35m is double maximum permitted height in any zone;
- Could be the tallest building in West Kelowna;
- Detailed design drawings included as requested by Council;
- Meets all other development and siting regulations.
Questions on the presentation:
- This application is only for the height variance? Yes, that is correct;
- Spoken with or comments received from cherry farm to the South? No correspondence received from the adjacent property. Re-notification will be sent prior to the application going to Council;
- Production area decreased from 6,000 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft. Is there a reduction in the size of production and winery? Building footprint reduced to maximize more vineyard planting and more room for grape production;
- City has established guidelines - when should we give variance? Staff and Council take into account different considerations when variance applications are before Council;
- Are there any hardships that this variance is allowing for? The maximum height through the Zoning Bylaw could be met by having a shorter building;
- Tallest building on agricultural land? If the application is approved this would be the tallest building in West Kelowna. Current height restriction for non-barn buildings in the A1 zone is 15m;
Highlights of the discussion include:
- Concern with potential height conflict and impact of helicopters flying at the adjacent cherry farm;
- Regulations are there and exist for a reason; Floor plan reduced due to scale however the same overall square footage could be met within height restrictions;
- Location at the top of the hill - do not need to go higher to achieve a view;
- Height of structure doesn't affect agriculture with the exception of the impact for helicopters;
- Design preferred over lighthouse;
- Appreciate unique building;
- Supportive of application from an agricultural standpoint;
- Agricultural impact is low;
- Original application supported by previous AAC;
- Statement building that will attract visitors to this and other vineyards;
- From an observation perspective, could still meet the highest vantage point within restrictions.