The first of many formal discussions on the future of Panama Flats was held Monday night, as Saanich council looks at increasing its footprint in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Currently 21 acres of the 66-acre site is protected, but Saanich staff sought council approval to add up to another 35 acres to the ALR.

B次元官网网址淭he reason for buying it was floodplain (for the Colquitz River) and agricultural land,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard before the meeting.

B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 to create a soccer field B次元官网网址� not that anyoneB次元官网网址檚 suggesting it. I want to make sure itB次元官网网址檚 not an option, though. ThereB次元官网网址檚 activities that might be nice to have, but I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 want to be tempted to stray from the principles of our floodplain and agricultural land that are established.B次元官网网址�

SaanichB次元官网网址檚 planning supervisor Neil Findlow advised that putting new land in the ALR, before a plan for Panama Flats is established, could potentially prove problematic.

B次元官网网址淥nce the land is included into the Agricultural Land Reserve, land use is restricted, and amendments to Agricultural Land Reserve boundaries can be both difficult and time consuming,B次元官网网址� he wrote.

The lack of a plan isnB次元官网网址檛 a major deterrent, Leonard said. While that may be true, and public consultation on the long-term plan has yet to begin, he said whatever uses for the land are ultimately determined, they wonB次元官网网址檛 be destructive or invasive.

B次元官网网址淚t might be trails leading to an allotment garden (or the like),B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou do the plan based on the ALR. You donB次元官网网址檛 compromise agricultural land because you think you have a parks and rec plan.B次元官网网址�

FindlowB次元官网网址檚 recommendation to council was to provide a clear idea to staff just how much of the land should be part of an application to be included in the ALR.

Saanich announced a $2.4-million deal to purchase Panama Flats from Island Berry Co. in February 2011.

Public consultation will happen later this year, and will allow residents to provide input on how exactly the newly acquired Saanich land will be used.

kslavin@saanichnews.com