One of Canada’s largest cherry producers is more than doubling in size right here in Kelowna.
Dave Geen’s property on Layer Cake Mountain consists of 151-acres of agricultural land, where he currently allocates 35 acres to a cherry orchard.
He is in the process of increasing the orchard by 55 acres, which will require the addition of 60 seasonal farm workers.
In order to bring these workers into Kelowna, Geen applied for a temporary housing permit to allow 12 trailers to be placed on the northeast corner of the property.
Kelowna City Council’s major concern was visibility of the trailers near an iconic landmark.
City planner Alex Kondor told council “The area is not suitable for farming and is not highly visible from the surrounding properties, as it is a low point on the property.”
An assessment done by FarmQuest Consulting stated that the area was deemed high-risk for crop loss due to the potential for spring frost. It also showed that the land was best suited for workers due to easy and immediate access to the property, water and power sources.
The temporary housing permit is conditional on accommodation being placed behind three meters of vegetation to act as a buffer to the public eye.
Mayor Colin Basran expressed gratitude for the careful consideration the applicant took in generating the proposal.
“Layer Cake Mountain becomes even more representative of our community with full agricultural use of the property. I think it makes it even more iconic and Okanagan.”