A plan to ferry winery guests by boat on Okanagan Lake made waves at Lake Country council乌鸦传媒檚 July 15 meeting.
O乌鸦传媒橰ourke Family Vineyards (OFV) sought a Temporary Use Permit to operate three existing docks on its Carrs Landing properties for commercial purposes. The proposed shuttle service would transport visitors by boat to the winery乌鸦传媒檚 estate, garden bistro, and other facilities, aiming to reduce car traffic on local roads.
Councillor Cara Reed wasn乌鸦传媒檛 convinced the plan was ready to sail. One of her main concerns was the safety of children and families at Camp Arbuckle, located to the south of the OFV docks.
乌鸦传媒淚t might be children swimming in close proximity that is an issue.乌鸦传媒�
Reed argued the three-year permit is too long and suggested that council 乌鸦传媒渟horten the time scale乌鸦传媒� or reduce the number of docks乌鸦传媒� to give the neighbourhood time to assess the impact. She suggested an 18-month trial to cover two summers before committing to a longer period.
OFV乌鸦传媒檚 proposal includes up to four boats per dock乌鸦传媒�12 in total乌鸦传媒攖hat would operate during daylight nautical hours only, using existing infrastructure with no new buoys or buildings.
Staff said the pilot aligns with the Official Community Plan, aiming to reduce road traffic, support seasonal tourism, and use existing infrastructure. Director of Development Approvals Jeremy Frick said the plan is flexible.
乌鸦传媒淚f it乌鸦传媒檚 not working, it can be shortened at any time乌鸦传媒� it can be brought forward at a sooner time to reevaluate.乌鸦传媒�
There was an exchange between Reed and Mayor Blair Ireland as council debated whether to let the shuttle service begin at 7 or 9 a.m., before deciding on a 7 a.m. start.
乌鸦传媒淎s someone who lives on the lake, we have docks where boats come in, where there's no regulation, all the time,乌鸦传媒� Blair noted. 乌鸦传媒淭here are people who start water skiing outside my house at 5 a.m. because that's the only time you can water ski in Okanagan Lake. It's too rough after that. I don't see the issue in safety.乌鸦传媒�
Reed reiterated her concern about the camp and called for reducing the TUP and the number of docks.
乌鸦传媒淏ecause if something goes horribly wrong乌鸦传媒�,乌鸦传媒� she warned, before trailing off.
Coun. Tricia Brett also supported a reduced TUP.
CAO Paul Gipps offered a solution that required a staff report at the end of next summer to evaluate OFV乌鸦传媒檚 operations and adjust conditions if needed.
乌鸦传媒淭he chances of this starting this year are slim, because they have to get commercial approval from the province,乌鸦传媒� he explained. 乌鸦传媒淵ou can only renew it (TUP) once without a new application.乌鸦传媒�
Council approved the TUP, with Reed opposed.
