Proposed high-end Penticton hotel advances to public hearing

PENTICTON – Penticton city council had no problem giving the nod to a rezoning amendment to allow a 20-room hotel on agricultural land.

The proposed amendment would see the hotel built on a 1.3 acre piece of property at 468 Lower Bench Rd. to provide high-end wine tourist accommodation.

A staff report prepared for city council said the former fruit orchard would have site-specific zoning with hotels as a permitted use. It would also remain in the ALR, even with the small parcel size.

City planning manager Blake Laven told council the hotel’s design was adjusted following neighbourhood consultations to lower the building’s height.

Other concerns heard from neighbours included the loss of agricultural land, a change in the character of the neighbourhood, the suitability of the location, heritage issues, and that the proposed hotel is adjacent to the Penticton sign on Munson Mountain.

Council gave support to first reading of the zoning amendment, forwarding the matter to a public hearing on May 8, after which council will be asked to support the non-farm use in a positive recommendation to the Agricultural Land Commission.

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