City of Powell River council has deferred a decision on a temporary use permit to allow a distillery at Beach Gardens Resort and Marina.
At the May 6 city council meeting, councillors were presented with an extensive recommendation that included amendments to the proposed permit to include new conditions regarding access to the site and parking, plus a restrictive covenant on the sale or transference of three parcels of the property.
City senior planner Daniella Fergusson said the permit dealt with a craft distillery proposed for 3225 Cariboo Avenue. Fergusson said on April 13, committee of the whole directed staff to give notice of council’s intention to consider issuance of a temporary use permit.
“As a result of issuing that notice, a lot of community feedback was received about this application,” said Fergusson.
She added that a memorandum she was presenting to council summarized some of that feedback, as well as letters received.
At the May 6 meeting, Fergusson said council could consider issuing, denying or deferring the permit.
Regarding the memorandum, topics included access, traffic and parking, and concerns such as smells and mould, plus public notice regarding the temporary use permit.
Fergusson said the proposed distillery would go into an existing building, which was initially a liquor store built in 1978.
“Concerns from the neighbourhood include that there would be commercial vehicle access and people trying to access this facility down Cariboo Avenue, even though there is a fire gate there,” said Fergusson. “The concern is that the fire gate might be removed and then there would be traffic going down that street.
“What staff are proposing is that council consider adding new conditions to the permit that restrict ingress and egress access from Cariboo Avenue, as well as Lillooet Place, just to give the residents there some reassurance that the intent with this facility is that all traffic would go through the main Beach Gardens entrance and exit.”
Regarding smells and mould, Fergusson said a neighbour sent in an article that talks about a fungus plaguing a variety of distilleries.
Fergusson said there were concerns raised about how a distillery would affect property values, what the community benefits of this use are, and why a zoning amendment was not pursued instead of the temporary use permit.
Presenters express concerns
The temporary use permit application prompted four online presentations; three of the presenters expressed concerns. Mark Anderson, Terry Price and Kathryn Hjorleifson covered issues such as the public engagement process, road access, changing the location to an industrial zoning, increase in noise in a residential area, and environmental concerns about whiskey fungus.
Hjorleifson said whiskey fungus comes from production of ethanol, which is produced in the distilling process. She said the fungus can cause extensive aesthetic damage to almost any surface and that could result in decreasing property values. She said although there are currently no known health issues associated with the fungus, further research could reveal harm.
Hjorleifson requested that the temporary use permit be delayed until an environmental impact on the fungus is completed.
Proponent sees possibilities
Jack Barr, of Seaboard Hotels, the proponent, said Salish Sea Spirits are a handcrafted artisan spirit, coming from an award-winning vodka and gin produced by a small, 1,000-litre craft distillery from Winlaw, BC. Barr said when the owners put the business up for sale, Seaboard saw the value-added possibilities it could offer.
“For the Beach Gardens it was a great opportunity to enhance the resort,” said Barr. “However, when we applied for the permit, we were informed it did not meet zoning.”
He said he does not expect any observed increase in traffic to the site, and expects less traffic than with the gym, or previously, the beer and wine store.
Barr said the distillery would be put in the building as a temporary measure. He said the resort is working on a master plan to upgrade, and at that point, there would be consideration of putting in a permanent distillery, along with proper rezoning.
He said there had been mention in the recommendation that there would be a tasting room, but that was not the case; any tasting would take place in the existing Seasider Bistro. There were no plans to open the side access roads from Lillooet Place or Cariboo Avenue, and all traffic would come from the highway, he added.
Barr said as far as the environment, the only ingredients going into the product are water, honey and yeast. He said there is no grain used, so there is no leftover waste, and no noise from the operation.
He said he agreed with staff’s recommendations regarding traffic flow and parking. There are no plans to sell any of the parcels of land connected to the resort, he added.
“I think we’ve covered everybody’s concerns here,” said Barr.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she wants to have information on guidelines for craft distilleries regarding the environmental impacts. Councillor Maggie Hathaway agreed with Elliott and did not want to dismiss the whiskey fungus that council has learned about. She said she’d like to see some more information about it.
Councillors carried the motion to defer the matter until the June 3 council meeting so amendments can be made to the proposed permit.
