Agricultural paper proposes more residential flexibility for ALR land

Changes may be in the works for residences allowed on agricultural land in the province.

A new policy intentions paper released Jan. 27 by the Ministry of Agriculture is proposing more residential flexibility for people living on Agricultural Land Reserve properties.

Currently farmers and ranchers are allowed two, three four or more residences in the ALR with permission from the ALC, but consideration is now being given to allow landowners a principal residence and a small secondary residence on their property, with approval from local  government. No application to the ALC would be required.

"We are continuing to do the work necessary to help farmers farm and protect farmland for future generations,” said Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham in the release.

“The ALR is B.C.’s best food-producing land, and is just five per cent of our province’s land base – it’s so important for food security. The proposed changes, if implemented, would provide additional residential flexibility in the ALR. Publicly sharing this proposed policy direction now gives those interested an opportunity to review and comment, leading to better outcomes,” she said.

The new residential options under consideration include:

  • garden suites, guest house or carriage suites
  • accommodation above an existing building
  • manufactured homes
  • allowing a principal residence to be built in additions to a manufactured home that was formerly a principal residence

The secondary residences would be allowed to house occupants other than family members and would not include reconsideration of the maximum size of the principal residence. The ALC would remain the final decision maker for additional residences for farm use in the ALR.

People are asked to provide feedback on the policy intentions paper regarding residential options by April 17 via email to: ALR_ALCRevitalization@gov.bc.ca.

At a Farmers Institute meeting held late last year, Minister Popham said the consultation process heard from families across B.C. that said such changes were necessary.

She said each farm and ranch in the province is different and has its own residential needs that change over time.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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