Photo: YouTube

Splendor in the Grass, 2017.

Kelowna city council has given its blessing for two summer fundraisers at Kitsch Wines on Neid Road in East Kelowna.

The winery was required to make a non-farm use application, because the events will attract well over the 150 person limit for events on ALR lands.

Splendor in the Grass, a celebration of this year's vintage, is scheduled for July 13 with a maximum of 500 people, while the Dream Car Rally fundraiser Aug. 3 would have a maximum guest list of 350.

The Agricultural Land Commission has final say on the application.

Council gave its blessing for the events to go ahead a year ago, however that application came in too late. The ALC was not able to meet in time to give its approval.

Coun. Gail Given cast the lone vote against the application.

"My concern really is its proximity to a residential area," she said.

"The Hall Road area is immediately adjacent to the property line. While I realize there is space between this and the Hall Road area, events larger than 150 have the potential to generate significantly more noise that will impact residential areas."

Coun. Mohini Singh did support the application, but was concerned that, while the area proposed for the events is not currently being farmed, it could be.

She is concerned about the message this will send to other farm operations looking to make money on their land, and use this as a "benchmark" of what they could do on their property.

Coun. Brad Sieben supported the effort, saying the events would not only be good for the community, but will bring people to the farm.