The issue of liquor sales in grocery stores will be back before Penticton city council tonight.
Council has previously heard from the B.C. Private Liquor Store Association, opposing changes in provincial regulations, and from Overwaitea, who hope to open a wine aisle in their Penticton Save-on-Foods outlet.
City staff have researched the topic, and will be delivering a report and recommending council select from three options: that the city take no action and rely on provincial requirements for grocery store liquor sales; or direct staff to draft a zoning amendment bylaw to regulate liquor sales in grocery stores, limiting it to the sale of 100 per cent B.C. wines; or council hold a special meeting to hear from interested parties, and then determine a course of action.
Council will also be receiving a delegation from the Winery Owner Coalition advocating that council take action to ensure a one-kilometre separation of all liquor retailers.
Other delegations on the agenda include Kerri Milton of the Downtown Penticton Association to discuss plans for 2016 Canada Day celebrations and ask for council’s support for a new event.
Jean Makosz, chair of South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services, and Nora Hunt-Haft have a presentation about work being done by the Local Immigration Partnership Council, a collaboration of 50 community leaders from across the region.
Under business arising from in-camera, council is reporting a motion creating a request for proposals for parking services, separating coin collection from full service.
The Feb. 15 council meeting begins at 6 p.m. There are no public hearings tonight.