Kelowna Restaurant Goes Back to Square One for Rezoning

A market on Black Mountain has been delayed in its application to legalize their restaurant.

New information about the Hillcrest Farm Market Café’s application came out during the public hearing Tuesday night, sending back the application to first reading. Though the café located at 700 Highway 33 East has been operating since 2012, it’s in an area that doesn’t allow “Food Primary Establishment” use. As a result, the restaurant has been operating without a City-issued business licence. Now Hillcrest Farm is looking to legalize their café and on May 4^th, the Kelowna Council moved the application forward to the public hearing on Tuesday, May 26^th.

A large group came out to support Hillcrest Farm at the public hearing on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Hillcrest Farm)

The public hearing was to approve the amendment to the zoning bylaws, allowing Hillcrest Farm to legalize their café. However, Council deferred the hearing when new information was brought forward about public safety.

On May 22^nd, the Black Mountain Irrigation District told the City of Kelowna that the water flow serving Hillcrest Farm didn’t meet fire flow requirements, lacking enough water pressure to meet fire safety requirements. The Kelowna Fire Department will be reviewing life safety requirements for the property, and Council voted to send the application to first reading.

The cafe under question. (Photo Credit: Hillcrest Farm)

“The deferral was done to give the applicant and staff adequate time to assess the new information and what the planning implications are for the commercial development on the property,” said Todd Cashin, Subdivision, Agriculture & Environmental Services Manager.

The City of Kelowna says that officials will continue to work with the applicant to make sure that Hillcrest Farm meets life safety and building code requirements.