Photo: Facebook/Harbour Heights Estate

Residents of an Okanagan Landing neighbourhood are fed up with noise from a business in their midst – and they want the City of Vernon to do something about it.

A delegation of residents attended Monday's city council meeting to demand action be taken against Harbour Heights Estate, an event venue on agricultural land that hosts weddings and other parties.

A spokesperson for the group, which she said represents 20-plus neighbours, told council that loud music and noise from the venue has kept residents up at night for months.

"We're not opposed to home-based businesses or seeking to shut them down completely," the spokesperson said, asking council for city regulation under its Good Neighbour bylaw.

Harbour Heights often hosts large gatherings such as weddings, which are a permitted non-farm use under Agricultural Land Reserve regulations.

The spokesperson played a recording for council of the noise level from a June 18 event, recorded from a home 600 metres away from the venue. Shouting and loud pop music could be heard clearly.

Mayor Victor Cumming said he and council are "well aware" of the issue after numerous calls from residents.

The spokesperson said the operation started up last year, and parties often go past midnight at the outdoor venue.

"We're asking the city, please regulate this."

The spokesperson said there have been numerous communications with the operators of the venue, and music will be turned down, then turned back up as soon as bylaw staff leave.

"The bottom line is we have a very noisy neighbour who refuses to alter their behaviour," she said.

The group suggested a modified approach to event hosting, with daytime events, charity galas, and non-amplified music, calling the current situation "highly disruptive."

It called for escalating fines, but council was told by staff the city does not have any authority on permits for such events. Rather, they fall under ALR permitted use.

"We can't prohibit them, but we can regulate them," council was told.

While the Agricultural Land Commission does allow event hosting on farmland, "that is not a blank cheque to conduct events however you like," the resident spokesperson said.

Neighbours are also concerned about traffic and parking in the area, as well as noise.

Messages to Harbour Heights were not returned.

Council referred the matter to staff to investigate options and report back.