While their apple slushies are already a hidden gem for cyclists on the KVR trail in Penticton, the owners of the Trail Store on the Naramata Bench hope to offer adults something more.
City council will get its first look Tuesday at a craft brewery proposed for 965 Naramata Rd., which would see the Trail Store converted into a tasting room for a craft brewery that would be added onto the back of the storefront.
But for the plans to come to fruition, the proposal needs both the blessing of Penticton city council and the B.C. Agricultural Land Commission.
Breweries are typically only allowed on ALR land if properties grow more than two hectares worth of farm products to be used in the production of beer. In this case, applicants Scott Breier and Nicole Gidman are seeking to grow just one hectare of barley and maintain the existing orchards on the 2.85 hectare property.
City council will also have to approve a zoning amendment on the agriculture-zoned property.
City staff appear to be welcoming of the idea and have recommended the proposal be sent to a public hearing next month.
“With the increasing numbers of farmers retiring, this model presents an example of young entrepreneurs returning to the agricultural industry to create a connection for consumers to the source of their goods with sustainable long term business as a by-product,” Breier and Gidman said in a letter to council.
Should the ALC non-farm-use application and city rezoning be succesful, city staff says it will explore a “licence to use agreement” with the property owners to allow for the use of some of the KVR right-of-way that directly abuts the property.
Council will consider the proposal Tuesday afternoon.
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