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Kelowna  

Farmer's request rebuffed

Kelowna farmers hoping to diversity their operation by adding two non-farm uses on the property are being rebuffed by city staff.

Despite a positive recommendation by the city's Agricultural Advisory Committee, staff are giving the thumbs down to Kristi and James Caldwell's request to allow weddings and a craft distillery on their Goodison Road farm.

In a report, staff say weddings would run contrary to the city's bylaws against such activities on agricultural land.

For a distillery to be considered a farm use, a minimum of 50 per cent of the products must be grown on the farm. In this case, staff say, the majority of the distilled products would be grains grown on other farms in the province.

The Caldwells took over ownership of the farm after Kristi's parents died in 2014.

Since then, they have continued with production and sales from their market garden and egg sales, and have plans for future expansion with three head of cattle, floral production and an apiary, planned for 2016.

The Caldwells are also hoping to add an agricultural heritage tour to the property which houses a collection of farm equipment, industrial tools and antiques. That would be allowed by the city and the Agricultural Land Commission.

According to their application, the requests have the unanimous support of neighbours.

City council will hear the application request Monday.

Council can only make recommendations in these types of applications. A final decision rests with the ALC.



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