13.15

food processing;

food storage;

food distribution;

research and data collection;

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

urban agriculture;

food production;

Community gardens shall be a permitted use in Neighbourhood Parks if organized by a local or neighbourhood society or adjacent institution (school, seniors centre, etc.) and as approved by the City Parks & Recreation Department. If desired by residents, dedicated space for growing food shall be permanent, viable, and determined as follows:

Table 3.

Appendix 2: Harvest View – Sunset Ridge Neighbourhood Plan

6.10

development and productive use of agricultural land;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

ALR;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Recognize the importance of agriculture to the region’s economy. To this end, the RDN and member municipalities agree to:

Encourage the provincial government to protect the agricultural land base through the ALR;

Recognize the importance of shellfish aquaculture to the region’s economy and environment. To this end the RDN and member municipalities agree to:

Support the management of the Shellfish Aquaculture leases by the provincial and federal governments;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

ALR;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

development and productive use of agricultural land;

ALR subdivision;

ALR;

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;

farmers' market;

food processing;

agricultural industry services;

agri-tourism;

Recognize the importance of value-added agricultural uses and complementary land use activities for the economic viability of farms. To support complementary farm uses, official community plans should consider:

· The provision of appropriately located agricultural support services and infrastructure;

· Reducing impediments to agricultural processing and related land uses;

· Allowing compatible complementary land use activities (e.g., agri-tourism);

· Allowing farmers’ markets and other outlets that sell local produce to locate in all parts of the community.

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

economic development;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

food processing, storage and distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

food processing;

food storage;

food distribution;

aquaculture;

Agri-Tourism Accommodation

Agri-tourist accommodation is subject to the following regulations:
.1 Agri-tourist accommodation units are not permitted on parcels less than 4
ha, and no more than five (5) agri-tourism accommodation units are permitted on parcels 4 ha up to 7.9 ha, and no more than ten (10) agri-tourism accommodation units are permitted on parcels 8 ha and greater.

.2 No more than ten guest rooms are permitted on parcels 10 ha and greater.
.3 All guest rooms shall be located within a principal dwelling unit or separately from a principal dwelling unit, but all rooms contained under one roof.
.4 No guest room in the agri-tourist accommodation shall have an area of greater than 30 m2. A separate or ensuite washroom is not included as part of the area of the guest room.
.5 Meals for those persons renting the guest rooms may be provided within a principal dwelling unit or separately from the principal dwelling unit but contained under the same roof as the guest rooms.
.6 No cooking facilities shall be provided for within the guest rooms intended for the agri-tourist operation.
.7 No person shall stay within a guest room for more than thirty days in a calendar year.
.8 Approval from the Land Reserve Commission is required for an agri-tourist accommodation on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
.9 One parking space per guest room is required in addition to those required for the principal dwelling.
.10 The agri-tourist operation shall not generate traffic congestion or parking problems within the District and shall not produce a public offence or nuisance of any kind.

Setbacks for Buildings, Structures and Areas for Farm uses...,

See document for additional details.

Keeping of Livestock

In this Bylaw, where agriculture is a permitted use, the following restrictions apply:
.1 On any parcel 2.0 ha or less in area, the total number of livestock, shall not exceed one (1) animal for each 0.4 ha of parcel area; xxxviii

.2 Despite Section 7.24.1, on any parcel 0.4 ha or less in area, the total number of poultry and/or fur bearing animals shall not exceed twenty-five (25).

food sales, access and procurement;

food processing, storage and distribution;

farm retail/farm gate sales;

food processing;

food distribution;

food storage;

Provisions for Accessory Retail Sales and Processing, Packing and Storage of Farm Products and/or Off-Farm Products

.1 Where permitted in any agricultural zone, farm products, processed farm
products and off-farm products may be sold to the public by retail sale subject
to the following:

a) the portion of the agricultural land used for retail sales of off-farm products shall not exceed one-third of the total area used for all retail sales. For the purpose of calculating the portion of agricultural or industrial agriculture land to be used for retail sales, the area of any building or structure used for that purpose, including aisles and other areas of circulation, shelf and display space, counter space for packaging and taking payment and any area used for the service and consumption of hot and cold food items, shall be included, but any office area, wholesale storage area, processing facility or parking area or driveway, whether used for retail sale or not, shall not be included;

b) where off-farm products are offered for sale, farm products and/or processed farm products shall also be offered for sale;

c) the retail sales area shall not exceed 300 m2;

d) ‘retail sales area’ in an Agricultural zone means the floor area or dedicated outside area on which farm retail sales are taking place and includes areas used for retail purposes inside buildings and areas outside buildings. It does not include parking, driveways, office space, washrooms, winery food & beverage lounges, or areas for processing or product storage;

e) where off-farm products are offered for sale, a minimum of 50% of the retail sales area must be devoted to the sales of farm products produced on the farm; and

f) at least 50% of the farm product being stored, packed, prepared, or processed is produced on the farm or is feed required for farm production purposes on the farm.

Maximum Number of Dwellings Permitted Per Parcel

a) the number of principal dwellings and the number of accessory
dwellings, mobile homes and temporary farm worker housing
permitted per parcel shall be as follows:...

See document for details related to number of dwellings permitted per parcel in Agriculture One Zone (AG1)

land access;

urban agriculture;

education;

research and data collection;

leasing of land for agriculture;

ALR;

Increase Access to Underutilized Agricultural Land.

Recommendations

a) Develop a strategy to increase landowner awareness of farmland leasing options, taxation benefits, and community demand for local production  
b) Create a database of farmland available for leasing, including a database maintenance strategy 
c) Develop access to materials on lease/rental terms and sample agreements, possibly website delivered  
d) Create educational materials for agricultural property owners regarding stewardship of agricultural land 
e) Through various workshops and electronic media, initiate discussion on the role of small lot property owners in enhancing local agriculture in the District (gaining access to land, pooling of small lots, rent calculator, lessee responsibilities) 
f) Identify and promote opportunities for development of urban agriculture

education;

land access;

new entrants to farming;

community food system education;

farmer training;

Improve the Agricultural Knowledge Base of Farmers.

Recommendations.

a) Partner with farmers to create apprenticeship opportunities and mentorships, and to attract workers to agriculture in the area
b) Pursue options and opportunities to provide a hands-on training ground for aspiring farmers
c) Engage high schools and post-secondary institutions in local farmer training initiatives
d) Investigate innovative ways aspiring new farmers without land may be encouraged to access agricultural land currently not in production
e) Through various workshops and electronic media, initiate information exchange on small lot agriculture (production techniques, organic, equipment, pest management)
f) Develop information sharing and exchange networks and coalitions with like-minded groups in other areas
g) Create a cross-commodity Farmers Institute (see Glossary) to coordinate and implement the knowledge base initiatives identified in this Agricultural Plan
h) Develop awareness of educational initiatives in the local community. 
 

research and data collection;

local food culture;

community food system education;

Improve the Agricultural Knowledge Base of the Consumer Public.

Recommendations.

a) Develop an inventory of local agricultural land use and agricultural products produced
b) Create newspaper slot highlighting farming, seasonal recipes, farmer direct markets
c) Encourage retailers to advertise and identify locally produced and seasonal products
d) Partner with schools and the School District to communicate information about farming
e) Create more hands-on displays at District Fair
f) Host a “Taste of Maple Ridge” event annually
g) Engage local chefs to partner in local food promotion
h) Partner with schools to develop agricultural curriculum, including coordinating with the Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation and the School Gardens project
i) Report on Agricultural Plan completion in the media
j) Report regularly in the media on progress and issues relating to implementing the Agricultural Plan
k) Provide continued support for the Haney Farmers Market. 
 

food processing, storage and distribution;

food sales, access and procurement

food storage;

food distribution;

Develop the Local Distribution and Marketing System.

Recommendations.

a) Work with producers to: investigate the potential for marketing cooperatives; brokerages; machinery cooperatives; investigate community storage and handling options; learn about marketing models; branding  
b) Hold workshops on local marketing and distribution systems  
c) Enlist the participation of local expertise up-to-date on food marketing  issues  
d) Develop a strategy to assist the development of distribution and marketing options in the District 
e) Pursue the development of  key components of a local distribution system, including cooling, handling, and staging area for fresh produce (e.g., food terminal) 
f) Investigate marketing needs of local farming community

development and productive use of agricultural land;

ALR;

protection of farming development permit area;

Protect the Agricultural Land Base.

Recommendations 
a) Continue to implement the OCP policies to protect the agricultural land base by creating Development Permit Area guidelines to minimize non-agricultural encroachment on agriculturally designated lands and farming activities 
b) Continue to implement the OCP policies to protect the agricultural land base by creating guidelines for reviewing applications for non-farm use, exclusions, fill applications, 
transportation and utility applications, subdivisions, and government applications 
c) Investigate federal, provincial, and Metro Vancouver support for agriculture irrigation water supply expansion 
d) Explore opportunities to protect agricultural land from development through a variety of means such as donations of land, covenants, easements, agricultural use of municipal land, consolidation of land, and other mechanisms that support agriculture  
e) Support opportunities to provide land for community based agriculture    
f) Explore establishing an agricultural levy on agricultural land conversion developments to ensure that capital is available to finance the agricultural strategy in this plan 
g) Explore retention of lots 2 ha (5 acres) and larger in the Agricultural Land Reserve 
h) Support and encourage applications to include lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve

ALR;

irrigation and drainage;

stormwater management;

Rehabilitate and Improve the Agricultural Infrastructure.

Recommendations

a) Investigate a watershed-based surface and groundwater irrigation strategy 
b) Where a need is identified, undertake a water supply inventory for lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve 
c) Explore establishing a drainage and flood control levy  
d) Require upland land owners and  applicants to control storm water flows into the flood plain 
e) Undertake a feasibility study of drainage and flood control to rehabilitate affected areas 
f) Continue to build relationship with the neighbouring municipality 
g) Require compensation from unavoidable agricultural land conversion developments to be used to increase net agricultural capability in the District 
h) Encourage the Agricultural Land Commission to enforce agreements entered into with proponents that allow applications to proceed on  Agricultural Land Reserve land

food processing;

agricultural industry services;

Develop Local Food System Infrastructure Capacity.

a) Work with producers and local entrepreneurs to explore the feasibility of an agroindustrial infrastructure strategy that could include: shared industrial spaces; branding; small scale processing facilities; community kitchens; mobile slaughter facilities

agri-tourism;

urban gardens/orchards

Increase the Diversity of Agricultural Activity.  

Recommendations

a) Work with the AAC to promote and gauge the feasibility of alternative models of community supported agriculture 
b) Continue to acknowledge and incorporate agriculture into District economic development strategies and plans 
c) Explore  the agro-tourism policies of the Agricultural Land Commission for their potential to provide new and expanded opportunities for farmers and possible inclusion into District bylaws. 
d) Promote local agri-businesses and activities on District website and publications 
e) Encourage linkages in the agricultural sector in Maple Ridge to identify cross-demand for products  and services  
f) Identify a community work force for agriculture 
g) Identify community demand and develop linkages for participatory food production 
h) Provide opportunities for community gardening, allotments, and urban demonstration plots

buffer at agricultural edge;

protection fo farming development permit area;

disclosure agreement;

nuisance complaints;

Reduce Potential for Stress in the Agricultural-Residential Interface.

a) Implement Development Permit Area guidelines to minimize non-agricultural  encroachment on agriculturally designated lands and farming activities, including specific provisions for buffer zones, appropriate landscaping, subdivision design, and building location 
b) Create a cross-commodity Farmers Institute to implement agricultural initiatives identified in this Plan 
c) Require notices on title on properties adjacent to agricultural lands (disclosure statements) to avoid neighbourhood conflicts   
d) Enforce noxious weed bylaw on idle land in the  Agricultural Land Reserve, municipal rights of-way, and utility rights of way 
e) Create respect for property rights of farmers respecting trespass, vandalism, and harassment 
f) Develop a neighbourhood community watch for stray dogs, animals, and trespass 
g) Develop ongoing communication channels with non-farming landowners to promote “good  neighbour” relations 
h) Educate landowners adjacent to agricultural land of potential for farming activities on neighbouring properties. 

wildlife and ecosystem management;

BC environmental farm plan;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

pesticide and pest management;

climate change and greenhouse gases;

Minimize the Impact of Agriculture on the Environment

Recommendations 
a) Educate farmers about the benefits of completing and implementing Environmental Farm Plans 
b) Lobby to have the Environmental Farm Plan (see Glossary)  program broadened to include the equine sector, hobby farmers, and new farmers 
c) Identify options for farmers to manage farm manures in a sustainable manner 
d) Investigate and adopt new technologies to deal with farm wastes, alternative energy sources, and generation of greenhouse gases 
e) Develop interface,  linkage, and communications with Department of Fisheries and Oceans and BC Ministry of Environment to create workable solutions to agriculture-environment issues in the District 
f) Educate and inform the community about the ecological goods and services agriculture provides in Maple Ridge 
g) Promote the use of natural methods of controlling pests

wildlife and ecosystem management;

Reduce Agriculture – Wildlife Conflict.

Recommendations 
a) Keep channels of communication open to advise on issues before they become problems  
b) Develop strategy to control populations of released domestic rabbits 
c) Work with farmers experiencing depredation from bears and deer to channel movement away from farms 
d) Support research to develop repellents and barriers for problem wildlife 
e) Identify opportunities and create incentives for land owners to participate in land management systems that enhance wildlife habitat and support agriculture

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

agricultural advisory committee;

Create a Regulatory Environment Friendly to Agriculture

Recommendations 
a) Continue to retain the AAC to advise Council on issues affecting agriculture  
b) Develop results-based approach to new regulation, so that targets and effects are assessed before regulatory policy is implemented.  
c) Monitor proposed regulations to ensure they are not unnecessarily onerous on producers and agro-development 
d) Advocate for region-wide policies for agricultural area

zoning;

ALR;

Protect and Enhance the Agricultural Context of the Agricultural Land Reserve (to address incompatible land use zoning for ALR).

Recommendations.

a) Continue to implement OCP by concentrating growth to within the urban area boundary 
b) Create a code of good land stewardship in the  Agricultural Land Reserve (abandoned cars, trailers, machinery, trash, obsolete signage, dumped soil) to prevent contamination and visual pollution (batteries, crankcase oil, unproductive fill) 
c) Encourage property owners to build in a fashion to conserve the land base and minimize potential for conflict with agricultural activity 
d) Explore changes in the RS-3 (One Family Rural Residential) zone as it applies to land in the  Agricultural Land Reserve with respect to restrictions such as setbacks, lot coverage, and accessory buildings.

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

Ensure availability and accessibility of nutritious whole foods.

Participate in a coordinated approach to support farmers’ access to the land and resources they need in order to maximize regional food production, processing and distribution.

food production;

food processing, storage and distribution;

urban agriculture;

food processing;

food storage;

urban gardens/orchard;

Support and encourage food production, processing and storage within city limits at both the commercial level and individual level.

Inspire a greater understanding of the local / global food system and available resources to build community capacity and to foster more informed, ethical choices. 

food processing, storage & distribution;

urban agriculture;

land access;

zoning;

food processing;

food storage; food distribution;

urban gardens/orchard;

The City will explore ways to ensure availability and accessibility of nutritious whole foods including:

•  Permitting community gardens throughout the City, in all land use designation categories.

•  Working with the Regional District of Central Kootenay and members of the agricultural community to support farmers’ access to the land and resources they need in order to maximize regional food production, processing and distribution.

•  Supporting and encouraging food production, processing and storage within city limits at both the commercial and individual level.