Jodie Lucas tried hard to hold back the tears Friday, as she talked about the closing of popular Nanoose Bay eatery, the Rusted Rake Farm.
She and partner Will Gemmell were informed on Aug. 5 their application for non-farm use in the Agricultural Land Reserve land (to permit a restaurant and brewery) was denied by the Agricultural Land Commission.
They will shut down their business for good at the end of the day on Sunday, Sept. 8.
B次元官网网址淚t means 15 people have lost their jobs today,B次元官网网址� said Lucas. B次元官网网址淪taff who have committed themselves to us. A community loses this establishment. I lose my job. ItB次元官网网址檚 heartbreaking.B次元官网网址�
The property, a 7.2-hectare parcel, is located on 3106 Northwest Bay Rd., in Electoral Area E in the Regional District of Nanaimo. It has a restaurant but the owners also have other agricultural applications on the property as they raise barley and wheat, beef, mixed vegetables and fruits.
Lucas said they were expecting the non-farm use application to be rejected but were caught off-guard when their brewery permit was also denied. As the ALC requires farm-to-table eatery to have a brewery or a winery, they went on to build one on their property. But it was also rejected.
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The issues began in October of 2017, when the ALCB次元官网网址檚 compliance and enforcement notified Lucas and Gemmell to cease their unauthorized non-farm use activity and required them to seek approval from the commission. The owners eventually applied for a permit to build a brewery and also to continue to operate the restaurant.
The process included RDN staff visiting the farm. They did not endorse the already erected building where the restaurant is located as it did not receive permits from the regional district prior to or after construction and operation.
In its conclusion, the ALC panel stated there is no suggestion that the provisions for a food and beverage service lounge or other food service applies to any other farm uses. The property is also not zoned for commercial use.
Gemmell said they have no intention of pursuing the matter any further. TheyB次元官网网址檝e already invested approximately $300,000 in the restaurant and another $100,000 in the brewery.
B次元官网网址淎s far as the ALC is concerned, that would be another $1,500 application for them to scrutinize us, plus the local government scrutinizes us,B次元官网网址� said Gemmell. B次元官网网址淒o we want to go through all of that again after two years of dealing with this, and really have no future plans for our farm? ItB次元官网网址檚 really taken a lot of wind out of our sails.B次元官网网址�
Gemmell believes there something wrong with the ALC process when all they are trying to do is work on turning their farm into a successful business. He said itB次元官网网址檚 clearly evident they have an agricultural operation on their land.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 want to sell our produce in a front stand at the front of the property to compete with all the rest of the neighbours,B次元官网网址� said Gemmell.
Extremely, disappointing news today, Nanoose's Rusted Rake Farm Eatery will be closing on Sunday. Their non-farm use ALC application was denied. My office has been inundated with calls from local citizens who are devastated by the news. RRF is a important part of the community.
B次元官网网址� Michelle Stilwell (@Stilwell4BC)
Nanoose Bay residents, who frequent the restaurant, are upset that they are losing a favourite food and coffee hangout.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a major centre in our community,B次元官网网址� said Linda Enns. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of the best 10 places to go to in British Columbia. We like this farm-to-table stuff. WeB次元官网网址檙e sad to see this close.B次元官网网址�
Lyse Cantin said itB次元官网网址檚 beautiful to have a small restaurant like this in Nanoose Bay, providing them a relaxing venue where friends can meat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
B次元官网网址淲e frequent the place,B次元官网网址� said Cantin. B次元官网网址淧eople are in tears when they learned that it is closing down.B次元官网网址�
Parksville Qualicum Beach MLA Michelle Stilwell was critical of the ALR and the NDP government.
B次元官网网址淩ather than simply closing down any business that doesnB次元官网网址檛 follow their strict rules to the letter, the ALC needs to take into account the unique context of applications and work with owners and farmers to reach a resolution that best serves the local community,B次元官网网址� said Stilwell. B次元官网网址淚f the current government continues to stifle agricultural business, local farmers B次元官网网址� and the British Columbians they serve B次元官网网址� are going to be the ones paying the price.B次元官网网址�
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