The major development proposed by O鈥橰ourke Family Vineyard has been a touchy subject at Lake Country Council for several years, however, the district's Feb.4, meeting was less heated than previous discussions.
At a public hearing back on Jan. 21, the winery project was discussed for five and a half hours, while it was only talked about for about 20 minutes on Tuesday.
At the Feb.4 meeting, council was giving a third reading to the rezoning amendments for the Carrs Landing properties. Council was looking at the winery applicant either providing park and trail improvements near the district reservoir at Raven Ridge, including improvements to facilitate parking for the Spion Kop trailhead or land dedication to facilitate access to crown land, as part of its development plans.
However, there was some confusion at the meeting as maps shown by Lake Country Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Paul Gipps had never been seen by council before. The maps proposed extending and securing more land for a potential trail to access Glacial Glides.
鈥淭his is very different, this map to what鈥檚 been discussed before this council, and before previous councils,鈥� said Councillor Tara Reed. "In previous councils when this first came, the trail dedication was across the O'Rourke property to access the crown lands in the communication to the council and the public. In November, the access was across the O'Rourke properties, this is now a very different scenario that puts a completely different spatter in the works here by rerouting it. So, it now requires access across a second property, that was never in any discussions ever that came before council."
Reed asked why it changed, to which Gipps said the maps were given to him by the district's parks department.
In response, District of Lake Country Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Matt Vader said, "I don't recall including any maps of where any trail indications could be across that property. We could go back to November, but I'm not familiar with a drawing where a perceived trail would be... There have been no maps provided."
Reed added that the maps provided didn't, "fulfill the statements that have been made to council about what the applicant was providing which was access across the lands to the crown land above."
Everyone on the council but Reed agreed that the park and trail improvements for Raven Ridge need to happen.
鈥淚 think it makes more sense for the entirety of the community to have Raven Ridge as something that is improved upon as to the path that鈥檚 in front of us,鈥� said Councillor Tricia Brett.
鈥淚 think it might be the easier one because it's going to be used lots," added councillor Todd McKenzie.
After the discussion went around the room, it came back to Reed who said, 鈥淚 am so disappointed in this,鈥� and then referred to a different map that was shown during a council meeting back on Monday, July 18, 2022.
Everyone voted in favour of the trail improvements to happen over the land dedication, with Reed opposed.
鈥淎nything that this council considers needs to be at the benefit of the entire community,鈥� said Mayor Blair Ireland.
O鈥橰ourke vineyard borders Commonage, Carr鈥檚 Landing, and Barkley roads. It involves several lots and includes plans for an amphitheatre, food and liquor establishments, a retail store, a winery, a cidery, tourist accommodations, a children鈥檚 camp, and employee housing.
