A plan to ferry winery guests by boat on Okanagan Lake made waves at Lake Country council鈥檚 July 15 meeting.
O鈥橰ourke Family Vineyards (OFV) is seeking a Temporary Use Permit to operate three existing docks on its Carrs Landing properties for commercial purposes. The proposed shuttle service would transport visitors by boat to the winery鈥檚 estate, garden bistro, and other facilities, aiming to reduce car traffic on local roads.
Councillor Cara Reed isn鈥檛 convinced the plan is ready to sail. One of her main concerns was the safety of children and families at Camp Arbuckle, located to the south of the OFV docks.
鈥淚t might be children swimming in close proximity that is an issue.鈥�
Reed argued the three-year permit is too long and suggested that council 鈥渟horten the time scale鈥� or reduce the number of docks鈥� to give the neighbourhood time to assess the impact. She suggested an 18-month trial to cover two summers before committing to a longer period.
OFV鈥檚 proposal includes up to four boats per dock鈥�12 in total鈥攖hat would operate during daylight nautical hours only, using existing infrastructure with no new buoys or buildings.
Staff said the pilot aligns with the Official Community Plan, aiming to reduce road traffic, support seasonal tourism, and use existing infrastructure. Director of Development Approvals Jeremy Frick said the plan is flexible.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 not working, it can be shortened at any time鈥� it can be brought forward at a sooner time to reevaluate.鈥�
There was a back-and-forth between Reed and Mayor Blair Ireland as council debated whether to let the shuttle service begin at 7 or 9 a.m., before deciding on a 7 a.m. start.
鈥淎s someone who lives on the lake, we have docks where boats come in, where there's no regulation, all the time,鈥� he noted. 鈥淭here are people who start water skiing outside my house at 5 a.m. because that's the only time you can water ski in Okanagan Lake. It's too rough after that. I don't see the issue in safety.鈥�
Reed reiterated her concern about the camp and called for reducing the TUP and the number of docks.
鈥淏ecause if something goes horribly wrong鈥�,鈥� she warned, before trailing off.
Coun. Tricia Brett also supported a reduced TUP.
CAO Paul Gipps offered a solution that required a staff report at the end of next summer to evaluate OFV鈥檚 operations and adjust conditions if needed.
鈥淭he chances of this starting this year are slim, because they have to get commercial approval from the province,鈥� he explained. 鈥淵ou can only renew it (TUP) once without a new application.鈥�
Council approved the TUP, with Reed opposed.
