The District of Central Saanich is asking farmers and the public for input on draft guidelines for temporary farmworker accommodations on agricultural land.
“Currently, like many other districts, we don’t have guidelines for farmers to follow as they develop an application,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “We want to support farmers and local farms, and one way to do that is to make applying for temporary accommodations a clear process.”
Because the land in question is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, any application for temporary farmworker accommodation must ultimately be approved by the Agricultural Land Commission. However, the District’s draft guidelines should make the application process smoother by outlining what proposed accommodations should look like.
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The public can review the guidelines and provide feedback online at LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/farming.
There will also be an open house Tuesday, May 28, 2019, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fire Station #1 on Keating Cross Road.
The open house is also a chance to learn more about the Agricultural Land Commission changes and ask questions of the Fire Chief about open air burning in Central Saanich. Although the event is geared towards owners of ALR properties and their neighbours, it’s open to the public.
Staff will use the feedback gathered from the open house and online survey to revise the guidelines to present to council.