Attempts to legalize a popular business are moving ahead.
On Wednesday, Regional District of North Okanagan directors gave first reading to a zoning change that would allow Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics to keep operating in a building on East Vernon Road.
“They are in process,” said Bob Fleming, RDNO chairperson.
Fleming also believes the club owner, Camille Martens, is working with RDNO staff on a non-farm status application which willbe sent to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration.
RDNO directors had initially received a recommendation from its staff not to legalize the land use because of zoning.However, the prospect of the business closing down created a public uproar.
Martens insists she consulted with RDNO when she purchased the property in 2009 to ensure a gym would be allowed in theexisting structure. But RDNO received a health and safety complaint about the facility and that led to the initialrecommendation not to legalize the land use.
The health and safety complaint came from an RDNO employee, and as a result of the controversy, the district has ensuredthat procedures for such instances are now formally written in policy.
Under the policy, if an RDNO submits a health and safety complaint about a property, the chief administrative officer is to benotified immediately.
“He can then sign off on the process from there,” said Fleming.