Penticton city council considers Granville-style market, cidery on Westminster Avenue

PENTICTON – A proposal is being pitched for a piece of downtown Penticton property that could see a former used car lot become the centre for a public market similar to Vancouver’s Granville Island.

A rezoning proposal that would allow the current owner of 249 Westminster Ave. develop conceptual plans that feature a Public Market-style venue, including a cider, bistro and public parking area, is being put before council this week. The proposal could include apartment towers on the property at a future date.

A report on the project will go before city councillors at their meeting tomorrow, April 17.

The location has in the past been home to a Volkswagen dealership, a Texaco gas station and an RV sales lot.

The property was rezoned in 2008 to support a mixed-use, residential development but the proposal never got off the ground.

Most recently the property has been a used car lot, which has been operating under a temporary use permit that expires in September.

Staff has identified the proposal as one that fits into Official Community Plan designations and are recommending council give the zoning amendment first reading prior to a public hearing on May 8.

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