Likely a fruit stand as it did not go through the RDOS planning process. Will be a concern if any habitation is built into the structure. Hwy 97 and Road 7.
Likely a fruit stand as it did not go through the RDOS planning process. Will be a concern if any habitation is built into the structure. Hwy 97 and Road 7.
Joe Chamberlain says
With over 40 wineries in Oliver alone, and less than 15 fruit stands this isnt going to hurt anyone, phantom creek just put in a whopping 45,000 sqft winery. The area alone is surrounded by 5 fairly large wineries (second chapter, gehringer brothers, tinhorn creek, Hester creek, intersection wines** some of which have restaurants or accommodation housing) our valley has changed and I’m sure many of you are noticing fruit trees being pulled out and planted in vines. It’s fair to allow tree fruit farmers to also market their products and keep our agricultural community alive and diversified.
One of the more interesting looking fruitstands forsure but building seems to look large due to the fact is doesnt face towards the highway like the others….
Publisher: Interesting comment Joe. I do appreciate it. But to help define the issue.
1. Highway sign pollution
2. Too many giant super market fruit? stands on one area
3. RDOS total lack of quality bylaws vs ALC right to farm issues
4. Rural directors that operate without the advice of a council and local staff
5. Any law that allows unfettered use of land – wild west “Cawston” approach to planning.
How could the process be better?
a. issues like this to hit the public well before the footings in the ground
b. total clarity as to what is being built
c. guarantee that building will not house anyone
d. why would any government body allow such a structure on a dangerous corner for traffic without building – turn lanes, caution lights, elevated traffic platforms. Was the MOTI even consulted on this issue?
e. look up the meaning of SNAFU
Bill Michael says
I’m not sure what’s happened to basic planning principles in Area C. When I was on the Area C APC as Chair and as a Commissioner for several years, I tried to balance my recommendations to the RDOS Board on projects involving agricultural land with fair and reasonable consideration for the needs of farmers and of the broader community.
Yes, agriculture needs a place to market their own produce, however, a 10 acre property does not need a several thousand square foot store to do so. Let’s call them what they are, “large retail stores”, that shouldn’t be allowed to be constructed on agricultural land.
Furthermore, this particular structure is on a dangerous highway corner and blocking off sight lines both north and southbound on the highway of the beauty of the west side of the valley with an ugly two story structure.
I’m not sure who at the RDOS thinks these large retail structures should be allowed to be continued to be constructed but they need to reassess what they are doing so that the whole of the highway between Oliver and Osoyoos doesn’t turn into a strip mall.
The proliferation of gaudy signs which has been permitted by MOTI and the RDOS because they didn’t have the courage to do anything about it a few years ago has left the door open to this strip mall planning perspective.
If someone wants to build a large retail store, direct it to within the municipal boundary where the various plans state they should be directed.
Otherwise, imagine what the highway corridor will look like in a few more years and whether that will be acceptable to you, the broader community and to those who visit this area for agricultural views and experiences.
Publisher: We miss you Bill!. As Ed has stated the APC’s greatest ally is the ALC not the Board in Penticton. In fact I believe the RDOS wants to rid itself of Area Planning Commissions.
Bill Michael says
Jack, I have heard, anecdotally, from some local citizens that the RDOS planners see the APC’s as an inconvenience as they consider that they as professional staff are more knowledgeable about the rules, plans and processes in effect than some ‘local resident’.
It appears they have convinced newly elected directors over the years that they are most knowledgeable on the matters. I don’t mean to malign or disparage these planners for their knowledge, skills and abilities but only that they forget that the elected officials are the decision makers and that they are support staff acting as resource people for the needs of these elected people.
What the planners and other RDOS board members forget now, and have for some time, is the members of the Advisory Planning Commissions are appointed by the Regional Directors for their Area and as a commission have traditionally been the conscience of the community.
Publisher: I hope Rick is taking all of this in. One quick story – the RDOS took 10 years to write a Regional Growth Strategy Document. They passed it finally….. and the next meeting they made an exception to the plan. And…… that attitude continues to this day.
While the various plans and rules may apply and allow a certain action to be carried out under the various plans that are in effect and are interpreted by the planners, the local knowledge of the commission members can shape how the project or activity is carried to the benefit of the broader community and, in my experience, to the benefit of the project opponents themselves.
This has been the case because the proponents haven’t considered how they would be detrimentally affected by something they didn’t know about but that the commissioners brought to their attention during the APC meetings. They and the community were, generally, better off from a review and recommendations by the APC to the RDOS Board.
I stopped serving on the APC a few years ago not because the work was onerous. In fact, I quite enjoyed the work to improve and maintain the best parts of our community in Area C through planning reviews of projects and proposals in our area.
What I found frustrating was that the planners were convincing the board members not to refer projects that would have an impact on our and other communities such as the one noted above that is the basis for this discussion. Things were happening that were detrimental to our community and that should have been discussed at the local level for the benefit of the Regional Director so he could relay the local concerns to the board members at their meetings. Other board members were making decisions on what was to happen in our Area without any local input. Our director is only one person on the board and if they have no supporting opinion to back them up are easily steamrolled by pro development advocates who don’t really care what happens in our area.
The excuse was that projects were being delayed waiting for a APC meeting and the proponents were upset by having to wait. This was not the case, in my opinion. Better to have a good decision that is in the best interest of the specific needs and concerns of the community than expediting something that is not in the best interests of our local community nor compliant with some factors the planners had not considered.
In essence, the tail is wagging the dog and our community is worse off with an APC that is not consulted nor allowed to flavour the project and proposals to meet the needs of our Area C community and its citizens.
Publisher: I hope Rick is taking all of this in. One quick story the RDOS took 10 years to develop a Regional Growth Strategy document. They finally passed it. At the next meeting they made an exception to the policy allowing for a development that didn’t fit.
That lack of direction continues…
Jeff Parent says
If it s a bunkhouse , at least , someone thought of giving a roof to farm workers.They deserve it . Can t be bigger than some new winery on Black Sage Rd.
And it might be very visible , we will get used to it.
Definitely less annoying than the sound of the racetrack.
Publisher: Interesting what does get people’s attention. The red car parked for weeks north of Rd 9 on the Hwy – good example. It finally left.
Carolyn Tipler says
Yes red car left and it is now parked at Bowtie Automotive repairs still with police tape on it.
Also agree with all the points made by Bill, the APC is important input from the people who live here.
John Hack says
Grateful for more affordable housing…………………!
Bob Firman says
That’s NO fruit stand that’s for sure.Bill sums it up nicely
Ernie race says
Its a. rather a large building for that area and a poor location for fruit stand , the worst bend on the road between Oliver and Osoyoos ,don’t know the rules regarding planning and permits on RDOS,but if it’s a bunkhouse which has been mentioned that would be a good thing ,something resident of this area have talked about for the forty years I have lived here,,but again. Poor location.
Kathy Mercier says
And the building permit is posted……??????
Publisher: Before I get embroiled in a legal matter I have to state the following:
This is rural government. An office in Penticton. Completely different rules than in Town. It is also agricultural land and the erection of a farm building is exempt from a number of normal rules.
That is why I stated if there is to be habitation – then completely new rules apply.
For all I know all permissions are in place. When it was stated that the normal planning process seems to have been skirted I meant – no visible application for a variance, no Area Planning Commission, no board approval at the RDOS table.
Carolyn Tipler says
Plans for farm buildings showing distance from property lines and roads still have to be submitted to RDOS for approval but there is no permit and no inspections. There were major excavations for this building started months ago , concrete poured etc. and in a very visible location, not like they are trying to hide anything so why all the negativity? Change happens whether we like it or not and given a choice I would prefer this across the road from me than a noisy wind machine.
Glen Krisher says
WHY was this allowed to get this far if it did NOT go through the RDOS process?
Looks like someone somewhere is not doing their job…..
Joyce Davis says
How many more of these big buildings are going to clutter up our beautiful valley.
Why are they allowed.
Tom Desjardins says
Some people just do as they please with no regard for the rules…. and safety concerns abound around that site are definitely a concern
Kevin Tomlin says
A nice five plex bunk house
Bill Eggert says
It appears the phrase of a former mayor comes to mind. “don’t ask for permission, beg for forgiveness”. If that’s not a bunkhouse on top of the fruit stand then what is it?
What a nice addition to the South Okanagan landscape.