A plan to ferry winery guests by boat on Okanagan Lake made waves at Lake Country council香蕉视频直播檚 July 15 meeting.
O香蕉视频直播橰ourke Family Vineyards (OFV) is seeking 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香蕉视频直播檚 estate, garden bistro, and other facilities, aiming to reduce car traffic on local roads.
Councillor Cara Reed isn香蕉视频直播檛 convinced the plan is 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.
香蕉视频直播淚t might be children swimming in close proximity that is an issue.香蕉视频直播�
Reed argued the three-year permit is too long and suggested that council 香蕉视频直播渟horten the time scale香蕉视频直播� or reduce the number of docks香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 proposal includes up to four boats per dock香蕉视频直播�12 in total香蕉视频直播攖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.
香蕉视频直播淚f it香蕉视频直播檚 not working, it can be shortened at any time香蕉视频直播� it can be brought forward at a sooner time to reevaluate.香蕉视频直播�
There was a back-and-forth 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.
香蕉视频直播淎s someone who lives on the lake, we have docks where boats come in, where there's no regulation, all the time,香蕉视频直播� he noted. 香蕉视频直播淭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.香蕉视频直播�
Reed reiterated her concern about the camp and called for reducing the TUP and the number of docks.
香蕉视频直播淏ecause if something goes horribly wrong香蕉视频直播�,香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 operations and adjust conditions if needed.
香蕉视频直播淭he chances of this starting this year are slim, because they have to get commercial approval from the province,香蕉视频直播� he explained. 香蕉视频直播淵ou can only renew it (TUP) once without a new application.香蕉视频直播�
Council approved the TUP, with Reed opposed.
