General Comments and Suggestions

Abbotsford
"the interest of the ALC panel in establishing a new relationship with local government and the panel’s openness to dialoguing with local government is to be commended"

Armstrong
"continued flexibility regarding growth issues"

Burnaby
"regulation of soil removal/placement remains an issue given that the Act/regs allow some filling/removal as an outright use and no longer provides for the coordination of processes/approvals between the local government and the Commission for some types of applications"

Chilliwack
"Applicants deserve the right to hear all discussions associated with an application in public. The decision is made behind closed doors, which is unfair."

Columbia Shuswap Regional District
"We would like the Commission to revisit BC Reg 171/2002, part 5, 10(c). It is felt that this section will increase the number of applications under section 21(2) of the Act."

Coquitlam
"I am uncertain whether the community is really aware of the changes to the ALC. Communications program could be considered...although the website is helpful in describing current policies and procedures (which is probably all that the community or prospective applicants want to know)"

Fort St. John
"make sure broader planning spectrum is also considered in decisions"

Gibsons
"make more of an attempt to visit application sites, understand local soil conditions, politics, drainage, etc. to make more informed decisions"

Golden
"Commission dealt with 1 application last year in Golden. Delved into the nature of the business proposed rather than focusing on the ag potential during the hearing. However, the outcome was appropriately reflective of the ag capability and reflected the request of the applicant."

Kelowna
"No, you have a difficult job and try to do it well. You also have good staff who need to be allowed more leeway in solving problems."

Keremeos
"We are not looking behind but to the future to see if the changes create any benefit or it they will only result in a form of downloading."

Kitimat
"I believe residents of northern/coastal communities recognize the provincial significance of preserving sufficient quality agricultural land to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important resource. This awareness and support is not dependant on shared circumstances. Our town has only one recognized farm and it is owned/operated as a hobby business on land outside the ALR. Only block of ALR land is heavily treed/part of golf course; use is very unlikely to change even in the long-term."

Lake Country
"None in 2002 - our working relationship with the ALC in previous years has been cooperative and constructive"

Langley City
"stronger guidance/direction regarding delegation of authority for subdivision and non-farm use"

Merritt
"on right track"

North Cowichan
"soil removal process has little opportunity for local government input/involvement"

Peace River Regional District
"awaiting revised policies for new regs - written detail; change to title No. on forms for ownership on other parcels owned in the community, rather than the former legal description, can be costly for some who have to pay for title certificate printouts"

Pitt Meadows
"all is well with the ALC"

Prince George
"the staff and Commissioners I have dealt with over the past year have been wonderful to work with, particularly Sherry Gordon and Northern Commissioners"

Regional District of Central Okanagan
"There has been insufficient time to adequately gauge and determine the full impact of the new legislation that came into effect on November 2002. The seminar that was held locally in June 2003 was very informative and provided a useful overview of the new regulations. It would be useful to enter into future discussion regarding the delegation to local government of powers related to ALR applications for subdivision (i.e. homesite severance) and non-farm use."

Regional District of Comox-Strathcona
"Residents are supportive of the ALR but see the LRC as a distant bureaucratic body somewhat difficult to contact and deal with. There’s more trust and faith in the role of the regional agrologist. Presentations to RDCS staff were of a sales job on ‘new and improved’ ALC rather than an explanation of the new policies and approaches."

Regional District of East Kootenay
"only that updated policy information be made available to the public that do not have access to the Internet"

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
"Time required by the Commission to consider and make decisions on applications needs to be shortened. ALC needs to be more active in enforcing their decisions"

Regional District of Nanaimo
"define public hearing procedure to fully comply with statutory requirements of Local Government Act with respect to advertising, conduct at the meeting, posting of site, chairing of meeting, participation of public and preparation of minutes"

Revelstoke
"Have raised the issue in the past with the signage requirements and advertisement policies in handbook. As stated in handbook, still too easy for applicant to provide miniscule ad in paper or improper signage."

Richmond
"ALC should approach the Province to request more financial assistance to municipalities to undertake agricultural viability studies. As we are finding out in Richmond, additional planning work is necessary to resolve/remove constraints to farming and to permanently resolve urban-rural conflicts. The benefits are that municipalities will be better able to address problems, thus saving the Commission work and time."

Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District
"decision-making needs to be left with the ALC, not the local government"

Spallumcheen
"The only area of concern is a long-standing one - Specialty Steel Fabricating on Hwy 97A. I recognize enforcement is a difficult area and this ‘non-farm, commercial’ use has continued and expanded. Council expects that Township, PALC and owner will work together toward a solution."

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
"We are very concerned with ALC policies regarding 2nd dwellings on parcels in the ALR for farm help or for relatives. We receive numerous inquiries about these policies each week and we are upset with the lack of defined criteria given to local governments as to what constitutes farm help in farm class, size of operation, etc. We are also upset with the enforcement policy on mobile homes as second dwellings for relatives. Anyone can justify a mobile home for a relative even though neighbors know it is not for a relative. If this policy is not enforced by the ALC we would like to allow all 2nd dwellings as mobile homes on ALR lands."

Vernon
"There should be a single document which clearly and simply outlines the ALR regulations, requirements and statutory policies which landowners / local governments must adhere to. A brief description/summary of ALC decisions during a year would be interesting for local government officials to review."