November 16, 2015 - Agenda

Pg. #

ITEM

MINUTES

GP-4

Motion to adopt the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on November 2, 2015.

COUNCILLOR BILL McNULTY

1.

2016 Japan National Sail Training Institute Visit and 2017 Canada 150 Planning
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-01) (REDMS No. 4803582 V. 2)

GP-10

See Page GP-10 for full report

RECOMMENDATION

That the report titled “2016 Japan National Sail Training Institute Visit and 2017 Canada 150 Planning,” from Councillor Bill McNulty be approved for implementation.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

Richmond Comments: Proposed Ministry of Agriculture Bylaw Standards for Agri-tourism and Farm Retail Sales in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and Related Matters (ALR Wineries, Monitoring and Enforcement)
(File Ref. No. 08-4430-03-07) (REDMS No. 4768773)

GP-14

See Page GP-14 for full report

Designated Speaker:  Terry Crowe

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

(1)

That regarding the proposed Ministry of Agriculture Bylaw Standards for Agri-tourism and Farm Retail Sales in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), the Minister of Agriculture be requested to:

(a)

specify how agri-tourism is to be subordinate to the principal active farm operation and only augment a farmer’s regular farm income, not exceed or replace it;

(b)

provide specific guidelines to determine the appropriate amount to be considered “small-scale (agri-tourism)” based on the size of the farm operation;

(c)

provide more detailed criteria to determine the appropriate size and siting of agri-tourism structures (e.g., the maximum building area and site coverage);

(d)

provide clarification on what types of uses can be permitted in an agri-tourism structure;

(e)

provide specific guidance on the adequate amount of parking necessary for farm retail sales, to avoid excessive paving and minimize negative impacts on farmland;

(2)

That regarding ALR wineries, the Minister of Agriculture be requested to:

(a)

amend the Agricultural Land Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation of the Agricultural Land Commission Act, to enable Richmond and other municipalities:

(i)

to allow only Type 1 Wineries which grow at least 50% of the farm product used to make the wine on the farm where the winery is located; and

(ii)

to not allow Type 2 Wineries which are industrial-scaled operations with limited ALR farming activity;

(b)

monitor all ALR farm-based wineries, to ensure that they comply with the 50% on site grow rule and enforce all related Ministry and ALR regulations;

(c)

where specific winery operators are already approved to enter into three year contracts with offsite BC farmers, allow them to enter into year to year contracts; not only the current Provincially required three year contracts, to provide more flexibility; and

(3)

That regarding ALR regulation monitoring and enforcement, the Minister of Agriculture and the Agricultural Land Commission, as the case may be, be requested:

(a)

to monitor and enforce all Ministry and ALR regulations and requirements, as municipalities have limited resources; and

(b)

to more frequently review the ALR regulations and requirements, in consultation with municipalities, for their effectiveness, practicality and ease of enforceability; and

(4)

That the above recommendations and this report be forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Land Commission for a response.

ADJOURNMENT