Penticton winery makes second application for lounge permit

PENTICTON – A Penticton winery will be given another opportunity to seek public approval after getting the go-ahead from Penticton City Council yesterday.

Council agreed to a staff motion to move forward on public notification of a proposed winer lounge endorsement for Perseus Winery located at 134 Lower Bench Rd. at the April 18 regular council meeting.

Perseus Winery last applied for a lounge permit in 2013, but after a number of local residents expressed concerns with increased traffic and noise, council denied an endorsement of the request.

As a result, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch placed a 24-month moratorium on re-application.

The winery is now proposing to add a lounge endorsement to an existing exterior patio on the northside of the property which would be limited to 68 persons.

Proposed hours of operation would be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Sunday. The applicant has also provided a proposal with modifications to the winery’s operations based on concerns heard during  its previous application.

The property is surrounded by single family homes and agricultural property, with nine wineries operating within a half kilometre of Perseus Winery. Three of those wineries have lounge endorsements.

The City's building and permitting manager Ken Kunka told council an initial public consultation with neighbours within 100 metres of the property resulted in a number of letters both for and against the proposal.

He recommended moving to full consultation with neighbouring properties within a 500 metre radius in addition to placing ads in local media and public signage at the site, prior to bringing public comments and a final recommendation back to council on May 23.

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