By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

The regional district has deferred an application for a zoning amendment in Willowbrook after a director raised concerns about a so-called animal sanctuary on Johnson Crescent.

Chief Administrative Officer Bill Newell said the applicant runs an animal rescue operation on the property with eight livestock, including two horses, four miniature horses, one goat, and one miniature donkey. 

The existing bylaw only permits two animals on the property, but the applicant is seeking an amendment to allow eight. 

In correspondence with the board, the applicant refers to the situation as an animal sanctuary which houses unadoptable animals (pets) that are given a home. The animals are described as geriatric with special needs, so it is unlikely they can be adopted out or re-homed.

“I am not a business of any kind. I have had these animals since 2012 and we are a very attached family. They bring a lot of joy to people and children in Willowbrook and are very happy we are here,” the applicant wrote.

Regional planner Shannon Duong said BC Assessment has classified the property as residential, consisting of a single detached dwelling, a garage, and a barn with horse shelters. It is zoned Small Holdings Three which permits a dwelling as a principal use with “agriculture” as an accessory use. The keeping of livestock is permitted subject to parcel size, which in this case allows two.

Duong reported the regional district previously received a written complaint regarding the number of livestock on the property, but the enforcement file was closed in 2021, only to be reopened in February of this year following an inspection.

A public information meeting was held in Oliver on July 13, but only three people attended.

Duong noted that in rural residential neighbourhoods such as Willowbrook, it is not uncommon for property owners to keep livestock, however, zoning provisions limit the number to prevent associated nuisances.

The planner pointed out that while agriculture is permitted as a secondary use, the purpose here is to formalize an animal sanctuary for personal enjoyment. But she noted there isn’t much difference between this and keeping livestock as part of an agricultural operation.

Duong indicated the property owner could consider a temporary use permit in this case.

But Area C director Rick Knodel recommended the application be denied because the amendment would be “very problematic in this neighbourhood.”

The director said this property is in a very tight residential area in Willowbrook, and “opening this door” will cause a lot of problems. He added this so-called sanctuary is not a registered service.

The board received several letters from residents opposing the amendment. One couple said the regional district would be setting a “dangerous” precedent by allowing it. They also raised a health concern, pointing to a strained water aquifer in the community. They said allowing an increased concentration of livestock on such a small property could result in potential contamination.

Another resident said the property is overgrazed and the waste is not cleaned up regularly. She also pointed to the horses’ bodies, claiming their condition is degrading.

Another property owner stated the amendment should only be allowed on a temporary basis until the animals age out.

Another resident called the animal sanctuary a false claim, fearing the amendment will open the floodgates for other neighbours to increase their pet numbers.

But a nearby homeowner said she is not opposed to the existing animals, noting they are not a problem, adding the applicant looks after them well.

However, she expressed her opposition to rezoning the property, saying that could entice others to do the same, leading to problems in the future.

Since the owner was not available to speak to the application on Aug. 4, the board decided to defer the matter to another date.