While Area C director Allan Patton likes to think positive going into the new year, the core review of BC’s Agricultural Land Commission worries him.
“I’m very nervous about that,” he said, noting he wants to ensure that the commission’s mandate in protecting farmland is not compromised.
Patton said any loss of farmland today is problematic when you look at the world’s food supply. As a result, “we need every inch” of farmland we can get, he pointed out.
Patton said BC and Quebec are the only provinces with an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Growing fruit is one thing, but growing marijuana is another.
That’s why Patton and the regional district board have asked the commission to remove marijuana growing operations as an allowable use on ALR lands.
Patton said he doesn’t dispute the principle of medical marijuana, but wants the regional district to have a say on where these operations are located. The board believes the proper location for this type of business is industrial parks.
Another issue that Patton has been dealing with in Area C is unsightly premises. He is happy to report that derelict vehicles from the Gary Cook property on Island Way Road have been cleaned up.
“I am so thrilled by that. Cook has done a good job (on his property),” Patton said.
He noted there have been some “big accomplishments” in cleaning up properties in the Park Rill area in 2013.
Patton said they could have hired another staff person for bylaw enforcement, but they decided against it because that would have impacted the budget.
Patton said Area C residents are looking at an initial 10 per cent tax increase, but he’s trying to reduce that to five or six per cent.
“I’m looking everywhere I can to reduce the budget for Area C.”
Patton previously recommended shaving $34,000 off the Parks and Recreation budget, and $10,000 from the heritage budget, but that wasn’t approved.
Looking back to 2013, Patton said the street address change was difficult for everyone but working well now.
“I believe it’s a much better system. Hopefully it will never happen again when I’m alive,” Patton said.
Another issue Patton was embroiled in was the Gallagher Lake water/sewer infrastructure project. Some business owners and residents complained about disruption and damage done during the construction phase last fall.
“It was very disruptive,” Patton admitted, noting the narrowness of Gallagher Lake Frontage Road didn’t give construction crews much room to work with.
Patton acknowledged the complaint that residents were not consulted about the project. But he personally went door-to-door to inform people about the construction, Patton said.
The director clarified that the company who did the work was hired by Deer Park Estates as part of its subdivision expansion project. The regional district did not do the work, Patton said.
The director said they now have to survey Frontage Road business owners to determine if they want to connect to the new infrastructure.
Patton said businesses are currently on septic systems in the Gallagher Lake area, and while these systems work fine, they are precariously close to the aquifer where they obtain their water.
He pointed out that businesses can only redevelop or expand if they are on sewer, and their insurance rates would be cheaper under the new infrastructure.
Other projects that Patton will focus on in 2014 include the Gallagher Lake Official Community Plan, wildlife restoration in Park Rill, flooding risks in Park Rill and Sportsmen’s Bowl area, KVR trail tenure and transportation corridors, sewer line on Sawmill Road, and Willowbrook fire department remuneration.
In addition, Patton wants to look at transit opportunities for fruit pickers and local seniors.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
