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Langford will ask for propertiesBԪַ removal from ALR

Mayor wants to see farming to be carried on where it makes sense
97123goldstreamGNG-ALRRezoning2-KE
Mayor Stew Young makes a point during Tuesday discussion about taking properties out of the agricultural land reserve.

A special meeting to discuss the exclusion of four parcels of land in Langford near Happy Valley and Latoria roads from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) lasted less than 10 minutes, with council voting to ask the provinceBԪַs Agricultural Land Commission for their removal.

The committee recommendation being considered stated that any parcels being taken out of the ALR and rezoned should require the owners to pay the city $13.45 per square metre, to be contributed to an agricultural reserve fund for use as a benefit to agriculture, as described in LangfordBԪַs official community plan.

Langford resident Bea McKenzie was one of three members of the public in attendance at the Tuesday meeting. When asked for public input she was quick to her feet.

BԪַI feel that there should be no loss to the ALR,BԪַ she said, BԪַitBԪַs been preserved this long.BԪַ

After the meeting McKenzie voiced concern about the future of farming in Langford.

BԪַI believe that the ALR was a very good thing that was set up to preserve land for future farming,BԪַ she said. McKenzie added that local food should come from local growers, but it canBԪַt in Langford because there isnBԪַt enough land in the ALR in Langford. BԪַWe need to protect our farmland,BԪַ she said.

Of LangfordBԪַs 244 acres in the ALR, only three to four acres are being actively farmed according to Matthew Baldwin, director of planning. Only about 60 per cent of that land is deemed farmable, however, the definition of what was considered farmable was up for debate during the meeting.

Afterward, however, Mayor Stew Young was clear on his thoughts on the matter.

BԪַWhen I walk the properties, I kind of feel for these people,BԪַ he said. BԪַThree-quarters of some of the properties BԪַ arenBԪַt even farmable and never would be,BԪַ he said. BԪַYouBԪַd never spend the money to cut the trees down, level the rock, bring in soil BԪַ whatBԪַs the point?BԪַ

The provincial government hasnBԪַt addressed such properties through the ALR, Young added. BԪַThe Province has just said BԪַitBԪַs ALR, thatBԪַs it.BԪַ LetBԪַs cut the rhetoric of BԪַletBԪַs save the farm land.BԪַ LetBԪַs actually look at it.BԪַ

The mayor has bigger plans for the future of the ALR in the Langford area.

BԪַIdeally, what Langford is trying to do is get the farmland, us own it, and itBԪַll be just like having a park BԪַ  a farm-park.BԪַ The intent, he said, would be to create a farming co-operative in which the land could be leased out on a long-term basis, and crops identified that would be best suited for specific pieces of property.

The city could not realistically afford to buy the 150 or so acres that was deemed farmable, he said, but though rezoning and gifts from landowners to the community, the idea becomes much more feasible.

BԪַEveryone has to take an open mind to it,BԪַ Young said. BԪַOur mandate is to actually get real farmland, and get it out there and put it into a co-op. IBԪַd like to see 50 acres under cultivation with the support of our community.BԪַ

Ultimately, the provinceBԪַs Agricultural Land Commission still decides what land comes out of the ALR, and getting councilBԪַs approval is just the first step in a long process. ItBԪַs a  process Young hopes to make easier for municipalities like Langford that are interested in removing a number of properties.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com





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