Under threat of closure

by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Dec 29, 2016 / 3:17 pm

The Okanagan Rythmic Gymnastics Club is under threat of closure. The club on East Vernon Road has been operated by former Olympian and national champion Camille Martens since 2009. But a health and safety complaint in early 2015 brought the club under the scrutiny of the North Okanagan Regional District. Martens said since then, she has paid for fire, electrical and engineering inspections. “We did everything they asked for.” After a regional district inspection, Martens said she was told there were no health and safety concerns with the 4,600-square-foot facility, but that there was an issue with its size. It is situated in the Agricultural Land Reserve and was formerly used for logging. “They are not compliant with the zoning bylaw,” said Bob Fleming, Electoral Area B director, who reviewed the matter at an advisory committee meeting on Dec. 15. Fleming said the gym is operating as a home-based business, but is more than four times the allowable size. “The key issue is the nature of the business,” Fleming said. “(The facility) is non-farm use in the Agricultural Land Reserve." Martens said she's “terrified” as she awaits yet another meeting at regional district headquarters on Jan. 4. A recommendation before the board reads: “that a bylaw to legalize the use of the facility on East Vernon Road as a gym not be supported.” There is also an alternative that would allow it to remain open with conditions. “It feels as if they just want to shut us down,” said Martens. “I came back to Vernon after the Olympics because Vernon supported me. They raised $65,000 to help me. I wanted to come back and give to the community because the community supported me.” The active club currently has three members on the Canadian national team.
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Also see  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/408653635.html
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https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/64812
RECOMMENDATION 9 Page 92 - 104 (Part 14 - Special Voting - Electoral Areas Only) That as recommended by the Electoral Area Advisory Committee, the application which proposes to amend the Regional District of North Okanagan Zoning Bylaw No. 1888, 2003 to legalize the use of a rhythmic gymnastics facility on the property legally described as Lot 4, Sec 36, Twp 9, ODYD, Plan 351 and located at 2515 East Vernon Road, Electoral Area “C” not be supported.
https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/64114
1. Zoning Text Amendment Application MARTENS, C. & A. c/o DUGAS, S. [File No. 15-0377-C-TA] 2515 East Vernon Road, Electoral Area "C"  Staff report dated November 21, 2016 RECOMMENDATION 3 Page 17 - 29 That it be recommended to the Board of Directors, the application which proposes to amend the Regional District of North Okanagan Zoning Bylaw No. 1888, 2003 to legalize the use of a rhythmic gymnastics facility on the property legally described as Lot 4, Sec 36, Twp 9, ODYD, Plan 351 and located at 2515 East Vernon Road, Electoral Area “C” not be supported
https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/64765 (minutes)
Zoning Text Amendment Application MARTENS, C. & A. c/o DUGAS, S. [File No. 15-0377-C-TA] 2515 East Vernon Road, Electoral Area "C" Moved and seconded by Directors Macnabb and Halvorson That it be recommended to the Board of Directors, the application which proposes to amend the Regional District of North Okanagan Zoning Bylaw No. 1888, 2003 to legalize the use of a rhythmic gymnastics facility on the property legally described as Lot 4, Sec 36, Twp 9, ODYD, Plan 351 and located at 2515 East Vernon Road, Electoral Area “C” not be supported. CARRIED OPPOSED: Director Fairbairn