Despite their willingness to push the province to change the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) rules on breweries and distilleries, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors were not willing to support a non-farm use application from the owners of a property at 943 Chamberlin Road in Area F working to establish the One Foot Crow Distillery.
The proponents plan to grow herbs to flavour gin, and use their own honey and berries to flavour vodka and liqueurs – but, like Persephone Brewing, they can’t grow enough grain on the property.
Area F director Ian Winn told the committee the local advisory planning commission discussed the application at length and had several concerns, including noise and parking.
Roberts Creek director Mark Lebbell noted the apparent contradiction with the SCRD support of the Persephone application, which came after a lengthy debate and public consultation. But he said it was the small size of the lot in question with the distillery application that made it impossible to support.
“The wineries and cideries [policy] mentions a two-hectare minimum property size to be eligible,” Lebbell said. “According to applications I see here, that property is smaller than two hectares.”
The committee also rejected a development variance permit for the property.
The committee recommendations were due for ratification by the SCRD board at its Feb. 23 meeting.
Regardless of the SCRD position on the application, the ALC will have the final say. It’s unclear how long it will take to reach a decision.
