The ALC said NO... Again!

4/30/2018

On Friday April 27th, 2018, the Agriculture Land Commission (ALC) reached its decision on the City of Abbotsford's Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) exclusion application that proposed to remove 201.09 Hectares / 496.9 Acres from the ALR for Industrial use. The city had proceeded with the application, despite public opposition - leaving the communities affected on the edge of their seats awaiting the results.

The ALC has denied the application for the 3rd time

Read the ALC's Decision

The ALC unanimously refused the Proposal to exclude "Special Study Area A" (36 parcels = 133.74 ha) and "Special Study Area B" (43 parcels= 67.35 ha) from the ALR for industrial uses.

Background

1) In 2004, a 'block exclusion' application was made by the City of Abbotsford to exclude 372 ha from the ALR near the Abbotsford Airport for industrial and business park development. Part of the same 372 ha was proposed for exclusion in the 2017 Application as part of "Special Study Area B". The ALC had conditionally approved the exclusion of 180.1 ha, and deferred the decision regarding 72 of those hectares pending further discussion, and refused the exclusion of 120 ha. The Commission’s decision to refuse the exclusion of 120 ha was based on the high agricultural capability of the land and the fact that much of the land was in active agricultural production. The Commission’s decision to approve the exclusion of 180.1 ha was based on a combination of factors including agricultural capability and limitations, proximity to existing industrial and commercial uses, and consideration for the City’s industrial and business park needs. To date, 50 ha of the land identified for conditional exclusion has been excluded; the remaining 130.1 ha remains in the ALR as the conditions of approval for these lands have not yet been met by the city.

2) In 2015, 22 landowner-initiated applications were submitted for the exclusion of 22 properties totalling approximately 91 ha from the ALR for industrial uses; the same 22 properties were included in the 2017 Application as part of "Special Study Area A". The South Coast Panel refused the 22 applications on the grounds that: the properties were capable of supporting agriculture; the need for effective farm management was not an appropriate reason to exclude land from the ALR; the potential to develop properties for non-agricultural uses does not suggest that the exclusion of the land is warranted; and that a local government’s need for industrial land would be more appropriately addressed by the City as part of a broad planning review.

In 2016, the City referred a draft copy of its proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw to the ALCfor review. Amongst other things, the draft OCP proposed the designation of four study areas within the ALR; proposed study area A included all of the properties that formed "Special Study Area A" in the 2017 Application and proposed a study area B which included 79 properties, 43 of which comprise "Special Study Area B" in the 2017 Application.

The ALC expressed concerns about the proposed designation of the four study areas which were found to include lands of high agricultural capability, lands in active agricultural production, and lands previously refused for exclusion. The ALC stated that it expected the City to undertake more detailed planning with respect to more acceptable locations for industrial expansion prior to considering the re-designation of ALR lands for industrial uses.

At its meeting of July 31, 2017, the Abbotsford City Council resolved to forward the Application to the Commission with support; one councillor was opposed.

3) On January 20, 2017, the ALC received a request for reconsideration from the City of Abbotsford. The ALC found that the request for reconsideration did not meet the requirements pursuant to the Agricultural Land Commision Act as the submission did not constitute evidence or demonstrated that the original decision was based on evidence that was in error or was false.

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2 Comments

Barney Quinn

4/30/2018 01:19:49 pm

Yet another blunder for the 'City' of Abbotsford. Time for voters to wake up and start electing representatives that actually represent them! So how much money did Abbotsford spend promoting this white elephant? Here we go again - Plan A redux! There's another colossal blunder by Abbotsford, although they're partially excused since Plan A had a referendum in which 22% of the population bothered voting, 52% of that 22% actually approving Plan A, thereby financially crippling Abbotsford for the next 30 years. Abbotsford needs to start focusing on bread and butter issues such as its gridlocked road infrastructure. Correction. WE need to start voting for Councilors who are prepared to focus their efforts on modernizing Abbotsford's grossly inefficient, inadequate, and dangerous road network that uses our residential streets as thoroughfares.

Lynda Richard

4/30/2018 10:23:03 pm

Thanks to everyone who took the time to address Council, contact the ALC, MLAs & City. Proof that diligence and commitment can provide results. Please don't let your guard down. This may not be over. Government has a way of using our own money to push through agendas that are contrary to what the people actually want. But for now, let's just bask in the joy and sweetness of a hard fought victory!

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