The proposed expansion of what is already one of the Okanagan’s largest wineries will be put to the test when West Kelowna council gets a first look at the project’s development application on Tuesday.

Mark Anthony Properties Ltd. has applied to the District of West Kelowna for an official community plan and zoning amendment to allow for phased expansion of Mission Hill Family Estate winery.

Additions would occur on seven properties located on the south knoll of Mount Boucherie, including the existing winery site.

The estate winery proposes the addition of:

• a 6,600-square-metre boutique hotel

• a 2,000-square-metre restaurant

• a 1,465-square-metre conference centre and a 1,200- square-metre wellness centre

• an art gallery

• a cidery

• a microbrewery.

The boutique hotel would have a maximum of 104 rooms, with 30 additional guesthouses and four artist-in-residence studios.

A wine museum, gatehouse and security house are also proposed, as is additional underground parking.

The maximum height of the new buildings would be four storeys.

They would have rounded roofs to match the design of the existing winery amenities.

The development would be stepped down the hillside, with buildings further down slope having grassed roofs and glassed exteriors, according to the staff report going before council Tuesday afternoon.

The total project would be phased in over the next 12 to 16 years.

A rough draft of the concept was first presented to South Boucherie and Lakeview Heights neighbours in April 2008, at which time some nearby residents expressed concerns about blasting and parking.

An agent for the applicant said at the time that the rock type would require minimum blasting and that all parking should be accommodated on site with the addition of the underground stalls.

Staff is seeking council’s permission to proceed with the creation of the necessary official community plan amendment and rezoning bylaw to be brought back for future first reading.

If first reading were granted, a public hearing would then be scheduled so neighbours could get another peek at the plan and express support or opposition.

jluciw@kelownacapnews.com