Highlights of the presentation include:
- Located in the Lakeview Heights neighbourhood;
- Current zoning is Single Detached Residential (R1) with Land Use Designation Single Family Residential;
- Surrounding uses include Single Detached Residential (R1) and Agriculture (A1);
- Proposal is to permit a Short Term Accommodation where the operator is not the principal resident. Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery will operate the Short Term Accommodations from the adjacent parcel;
- A Temporary Use Permit is required because Short Term Accommodations as a principal use is not currently permitted in the City of West Kelowna;
- Application has been referred to various internal departments and external agencies with no concerns identified;
- Proposal meets Short Term Accommodation regulations and meets parking regulations.
Questions on the presentation:
- Can a Temporary Use Permit be adjusted from 3 years to 2 years? Yes, Council can select any term up to 3 years;
- Is there a maximum length of stay for short term accommodation? Yes, under 30 days;
- Are there specific outlines for Short Term Accommodation violations? Yes, the Good Neighbour Agreement and other agreements through business licensing and bylaw enforcement;
- Who would be the after hours contact outside of the winery hours? The Business Licensing bylaw requires local contact information to be provided;
- Has a Temporary Use Permit previously been provided for Short Term Accommodation regulations? This is the first application with no resident on site.
Steven Lane, Sales & Marketing Specialist and Logan Jacobs, Hospitality Manager from Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery provided a presentation and were available to answer questions.
- The contact outside of business hours for these properties would be the occupant of the adjacent parcel at 811 Douglas Road;
- The houses are currently being used as private guest houses for the winery;
- Engaged with neighbourhood - committed to be respectful and keep the neighbourhood, clean, safe and quite;
- Intention to increase local tourism and bring revenue to the area while respecting neighbourhood and community;
- If Temporary Use Permit application is not approved the houses will remain as private guest houses;
- Will the resident at 811 Douglas Road stay there permanently? Yes, they will remain the occupant and local contact. There are no plans to operate that property as a Short Term Accommodation;
- Why not have a principal operator in the other two homes? Preferred to keep each property as a whole Short Term Accommodation and have a point of contact at the neighbouring home;
- Have any negative comments been received from the neighbours? We went door to door and spoke with neighbouring residents about this application and to seek feedback. No negative feedback was received.
Highlights of the discussion include:
- Other wineries in the community have guest suites on their properties;
- Recommendation to support a 2 year Temporary Use Permit to see how it works in the neighbourhood. Review at the next renewal and if feedback is good, recommend support for a 3 year Temporary Use Permit;
- Agri-tourism is a benefit for our community;
- The presentation showed that the applicant has thought carefully about this application and is willing to address concerns;
- Concern that application needs careful consideration as it may set precedent for future applications;
- This is a special circumstance - the houses were built near the winery and it works. This may not work for every winery;
- Comment that these lots should be treated as separate lots as they are not houses on the winery property;
- Some property owners are looking to host Short Term Accommodations instead of providing long term rentals;
- The Temporary Use Permit fits within the parameters given.