A conversation will be had with Interior Health as an application for a Sorrento bottle depot moves to second reading in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD).
Blind Bay/Sorrento Village Grocer president James Inglis has submitted an application to the regional district for a zoning amendment that would support a bottle recycling depot at the Sorrento store’s location at 1249 Trans-Canada Highway.
A related staff report at the May 16 board meeting explained the bottle recycling drop-off area is proposed to be located in the bottom floor within a 900-square foot space accessed at the rear of the building from Casino Road.
In a letter of rationale, Inglis explained a bottle depot used to operate at 1249 but without the proper zoning. Also, the prior operation was “infested with rodents, so we evicted the tenant and remediated the space,” explained Inglis.
“We have hurt the community by doing this and I would like to reopen with a clean, well-managed facility there,” said Inglis.
As a bottle recycling facility is not currently permitted in the Shuswap Zoning Bylaw and the Commercial 1 (C1) zone, staff proposed adding a site specific regulation to the C1 zone that would allow such a facility on the subject property.
Electoral Area G director Natalya Melnychuk agreed a bottle depot has been sorely missed in the community.
“The thing that was a bit surprising after reading the report was the rodent infestation that existed with the previous service that was provided and knowing that is an ongoing challenge for the area, I am wondering if there’s any measures that could be integrated into permitting… requirements,” asked Melnycuk.
CSRD development services manager Gerald Christie said with first reading, staff would be sending out referrals, with Interior Health being one of the recipients, and “that’s something we can discuss as this moves forward at second reading.”
Melnychuk encouraged discussion with the health authority.
The board voted in support of first reading of the application.
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