City of Lacombe Municipal Sustainability Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Waste Management, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): farmers' markets, local food culture, pesticide and pest management, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

food production;

food sales, access and procurement;

local food culture; Support more opportunities for growing, buying (and selling) locally produced food pg27
food sales, access and procurement; local food culture; Increase local dining options pg27

development and productive use of agricultural land;

food sales, access and procurement;

  Protect farmland for food production pg27
food sales, access and procurement;

urban gardens/orchard;

farmers' markets;

Lacombe residents have access to locally grown food year-round through farmers’ markets, communal gardens and local farming practices.  pg27

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

  Quality, healthy food is affordable and accessible to everyone in the community. pg27
food sales, access and procurement;   A variety of restaurants provide diverse dining options pg27

development and productive use of agricultural land;

economic development;

  Farmland is protected for food production, and support for farming ensures a viable agricultural economy pg27

food production;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

  Lacombe supports and promotes organic farming and is a significant source of food knowledge. pg27

food production;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

water management;

waste management;

pesticide and pest management; Farming is transitioning toward sustainable and pesticide-free practices, utilizes available water efficiently, and all farming and food waste is used as a resource. pg27

 

City of Lacombe Municipal Development Act

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): edible landscaping, food distribution, research and data collection, urban farm, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
development and productive use of agricultural land;  


Discourage fragmented development-
The City shall promote an orderly progression and staging of development in order to prevent premature development of agricultural land and to minimize land use conflicts with existing agricultural operations. The extension of city development shall only occur if an approved Outline Plan or Area Redevelopment or Structure Plan is in place which allows for connections to services immediately adjacent to the lands proposed for development. This should ensure that an orderly plan for development has been considered and limit the ability to develop land not adjacent to the existing built up urban area.

GDP 4.4
urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;   Appropriate agricultural operations-
The City shall support agricultural operations which are compatible with urban settlement within and adjacent to the city boundary. As such, uses such as intensive agriculture, which are considered incompatible with urban settlement, shall be prohibited within the city, and are not supported adjacent to the City’s boundaries. The City shall support ‘right to farm’ legislation by applying requirements within the Province of Alberta’s Agricultural Operations Practices Act (AOPA), RSA 2000, c A-7 (as amended) and any other relevant legislation.
GDP 4.10

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

education;

research and data collection; Agricultural research station-
The City acknowledges the significant role that the agricultural research station plays within the local, agricultural and research community (see Map 6: Intermunicipal). The City shall work to ensure that potential conflicts with neighbouring land uses are minimized and avoided so that the use and value of the station grounds for research purposes is maintained. The City shall avoid land use decisions that would jeopardize the future development of these lands for research purposes. Urban development of the lands associated with the agricultural research station apart from infrastructure servicing as required by the City, is not encouraged.
AG 8.1, pg8

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

edible landscaping;

Local food production-
he City shall explore opportunities to encourage developments which promote local food production within its borders on both a larger and smaller scale, and on private and public lands. Local food production developments shall be compatible with urban land uses and shall not impact future development of the lands.

AG 8.2, pg8

food processing, storage & distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

food distribution; Local food distribution-
The City shall promote local food distribution through a variety of methods, including supporting food delivery and distribution services and markets. Appropriate locations for these uses shall be identified in a comprehensive strategy to the satisfaction of the City, and shall be located in places people gather without jeopardizing safety.
AG 8.3, pg8
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchards;

edible landscaping;

Municipal reserve landscaping and development-
When a developer is preparing an Outline Plan, the City shall work with the developer to identify the types of Municipal Reserve spaces to be delivered, and the infrastructure needed to ensure the lands are operational. As per the negotiated development agreement, Municipal Reserve parcels shall be landscaped and developed to the City’s satisfaction in accordance with guidelines and specifications established by the City. These guidelines and specifications should iv. provide for edible fruit trees and community garden spaces, where applicable, to encourage urban agriculture opportunities across the City;
CER9.6 iv.

 

Metro Vancouver Regional Food System Strategy & Action Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, aquaculture, climate change and greenhouse gases, community food system education, emergency preparedness, food distribution, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, local food culture, local procurement, new entrants to farming, urban farm, wildlife and ecosystem management

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Topic

Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating 
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;
ALR; Protect agricultural land for
food production
1.1  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; aquaculture;
wildlife and ecosystem management;
Restore fish habitat and
protect sustainable sources of seafood
1.2  
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;
  Enable expansion of agricultural production 1.3  
food production; new entrans to farming; Invest in a new generation of food producers 1.4  
food production;
urban agriculture;
urban farm; Expand commercial food production in urban areas 1.5  
food processing, storage and distribution;
economic development;
food processing;
food storage;
food distribution;
Increase the capacity to process, warehouse and distribute local foods 2.1  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

local procurement; Include local foods in the purchasing policies of large public institutions 2.2  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

  Increase direct marketing opportunities for local foods 2.3  
economic development;   Further develop value chains within the food sector 2.4  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;   Review government policies and programs to ensure they enable the expansion of the local food sector 2.5  
nutrition and public health;   Enable residents to make healthy food choices 3.1  
education; community food systems education; Communicate how food choices support sustainability 3.2  
education; community food systems education; Enhance food literacy and skills in schools 3.3  
education; local food culture; Celebrate the taste of local foods and the diversity of cuisines 3.4  
food sales, access and procurement;
nutrition and public health;
community food systems education; Improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups 4.1  
food production;
urban agriculture;
  Encourage urban agriculture 4.2  
food sales, access and procurement;
waste management;
food recovery/gleaning/donation; Enable non-profit organizations to recover nutritious food 4.3  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Protect and Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services 5.1  
waste management;   Reduce waste in the food system 5.2  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Facilitate adoption of environmentally sustainable practices 5.3  
  climate change and greenhouse gases; emergency preparedness; Prepare for the impacts of climate change 5.4  

 

Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan adopted in 2016, outlines the actions that actions that local governments are planning to undertake in the next 3-5 years to advance implementation of the Regional Food System Strategy.

Download Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan. 

See Metro Vancouver's website for more details.

 

District of North Vancouver Official Community Plan Bylaw 790

Topic(s): Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): farmers' markets, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

food production;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

urban gardens/orchard;

farmers' markets;

Encourage sustainable, local food systems through initiatives such as promotion of healthy, local foods and food production, and the facilitation of community gardens, farmers markets, urban agriculture initiatives in appropriate locations.  pg 55 *

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard; Integrate opportunities for urban agriculture in planning Town and Village centres.  pg 55  

food access, sales and procurement;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Collaborate with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners in their efforts to provide increased access for all members of the community to safe, nutritious food pg 55  

 

City of New Westminster Mobile Food Vending Licence Bylaw No. 7850

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): mobile/street food vending

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A bylaw regarding the licensing and regulation of food trucks.

City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4042

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, ALR exclusion, aquaculture, beekeeping/apiculture, buffer at agricultural edge, commercial development, community kitchen, composting, edible landscaping, farmers' markets, food policy council, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, grocery stores, institutional development, local food culture, local procurement, nuisance complaints, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, pilot project, residential development, tax mechanisms, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Encourage and support agricultural uses on ALR lands within and adjacent to the City boundary. 3.16.2  
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR;
AlR exclusion;
Discourage unnecessary extension of urban areas into agricultural lands by discouraging ALR exclusion applications. 3.16.3 *
development & productive use of agricultural land;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;
ALR:
residential development;
institutional development;
commercial development;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;
Collaborate with the ALC to ensure development of ALR land designated for future residential, commercial, and industrial uses occurs in an incremental, orderly manner. 3.17.1  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;   Ensure agriculture is integrated with development at the City’s edge such that they are mutually-beneficial. Integration considerations include land uses, design strategies, and programs to increase the visibility and experience of urban and regional food systems for residents. 3.17.2  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;
buffer at agricultural edge;
nuisance complaints;
ALR;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;
Collaborate with the ALC to ensure that the interface between urban and farm areas does not result in excessive trespass or complaints. Urban/rural interface design policies might include, but are not limited to, transitional densities, fencing, residential building setbacks, and vegetative buffering. 3.17.3 *
urban agriculture; edible landscaping;  Encourage planting of edible plant species in lieu of
landscaping in private developments, parks, utility corridors, and local
right-of-ways where appropriate, or require a portion of all
landscaping to include edible plant species. 
9.1.1 *
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning; buffer at agricultural edge;
urban gardens/orchard;
Count food production elements, including but limited to:
allotment gardens, community gardens, green walls (i.e. vertical
landscaping), and green roofs toward or in lieu of landscaping or
screening requirements. 
9.1.2 *
food production;
urban agriculture;
zoning;
urban gardens/orchard;
aquaculture;
beekeeping/apiculture;
Permit community gardens, apiculture, and aquaculture
uses in all land uses. 
9.1.3 *
food production;
urban agriculture;
urban gardens/orchard; Permit temporary or permanent use of City-owned
vacant lots for community gardens. 
9.1.4 *
water management; urban gardens/orchard;  Provide water hook-up and secure supply storage area
for community gardening groups on public land. 
9.1.5 *
food production;
urban agriculture;
pilot project;
edible landscaping;
  Investigate the feasibility of piloting an edible green roof
project on a municipal building. 
9.1.6  
food processing storage & distribution; food storage; Provide space in community centres for drop-off and storage of food for Community Supported Agriculture initiatives. 9.2.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Support and promote the existing Farmer’s Market, and work toward securing a long-term location for it. 9.2.2 *
food processing storage & distribution; food processing; Provide site selection support for food processors considering locating in the community. 9.3.1 *
food processing storage & distribution;
food sales, access and procurement;
zoning;
food processing;
community kitchen;
Encourage small-scale community kitchens, food processing facilities, and outdoor community ovens through permissive zoning. 9.3.2 *
food sales, access and procurement; grocery stores; Encourage the establishment of neighbourhood-scale food vendors, including grocery stores and eating establishments. 9.4.1  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement;
food recovery/gleaning/donation;
Support links between Dawson Creek’s food emergency organization and local producers. 9.4.3  
food sales, access and procurement; tax mechanisms; Provide incentives such as partial tax exemptions to emergency food organizations to increase their viability and efficacy. 9.4.5 *
  local food culture; Support food fairs and other food-related public events in community facilities, parks, and right-of-ways (e.g. car-free street fairs, as per the Dawson Creek Temporary Road Closure and Event Manual.) 9.5.1  
economic development; local food culture; Continue ongoing support of the “Branding of the Peace” marketing strategy to promote the region and its agricultural products. 9.6.1  
waste management; composting;
residential development;
commercial development;
institutional development;
Provide multi-season compost facilities in all multi-family developments, and in all commercial, institutional, and industrial developments where food is consumed. 9.7.1 *
waste management;
education;
composting; Develop a public education and awareness campaign on the importance and benefits of composting. Campaigns should use plain, accessible language. 9.7.2 *
policy partnerships, advocacy & development; food policy council; Where possible, work with the community to develop a Food Policy Council made up of local experts and members of the community, which will advise Council on matters dealing with the local food system. 9.8.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Where possible, develop and adopt a food procurement policy, which requires that all of the City’s facilities and services involving food include organic, local, healthy, and fair-trade options. 9.8.2  

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard;

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.

Density (dwelling units/acre)

Dedicated Growing Space m2 (sq ft.)

7 to 14 18 (200sqft.)
> 14 and ≤ 22 9 (100sqft.)
> 22 and ≤ 28 7.5 (80sqft.)
> 28 and ≤ 35 6.5 (70sqft.)
> 35 ) 5.5 (60sqft.
or approx. 3m2 or 40sqft. for each person interested in growing

Appendix 2: Harvest View – Sunset Ridge Neighbourhood Plan

6.10

*

Village of Alert Bay Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 75

Topic(s): Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): hunting/fishing/gathering, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
education;   Build awareness of food security issues. 9.2.1.11  

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard; Support the tradition of backyard food gardening on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.1  

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard; Support the establishment and maintenance of a volunteer-operated community garden on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.2  
food production;   Support the establishment of one or more commercial farms on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.3  
food sales, access and procurement;   Support improved local access to bulk and organic foods on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.4  

food sales, access and procurement;

 

hunting/fishing/gathering; Support local access to sources of wild foods located on, and adjacent to, Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.5  
food production;   Support new and innovative approaches to agriculture and permaculture on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.6  

 

City of Cranbrook Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3550

Topic(s): Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): buffer at agricultural edge, farmers' markets, irrigation and drainage, livestock, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, research and data collection, residential development, urban gardens/orchard, wildlife and ecosystem management

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy excerpt Document Location Language Rating
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;

buffer at agricultural edge;

residential development;

Mitigate Impacts of New Development on Existing Agricultural Operations


Agricultural operations may, at times, have unpleasant side effects on neighbouring properties. Consideration shall be given to existing agricultural operations when new residential development is proposed in their vicinity. Appropriate measures including
fencing, vegetative buffering and building setbacks may be required as means to address the potential negative impacts on the existing agricultural operations.

6.2 (i)  

waste management;

water management;

irrigation and drainage;

Spray Irrigation

Continue the successful operation of the effluent spray irrigation program.

9.2 (c)  

water management;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

livestock;

wildlife and ecosystem management;

Livestock in Watershed

Work in cooperation with the Regional District of East Kootenay, senior government authorities and landowners to restrict the access of livestock to streams within the City’s watershed.

9.2 (d)  

wildlife/ecosystem management;

education;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

 

wildlife and ecosystem management;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

 

Invasive/Noxious Plants

Work in cooperation with the Regional District of East Kootenay and senior government authorities to raise public awareness about the problems associated with invasive/noxious plants such as knapweed and precautionary steps that should be taken to prevent such infestation. Develop an overall Invasive Plant Management Strategy in cooperation with the RDEK.

9.2 (e)   
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;

buffer at agricultural edge;

residential development;

Urban/Rural Interface

Consider impacts of proposed new residential development in urban/rural interface areas keeping in mind that agriculture is an industry that may, at times, have unpleasant impacts on nearby residences. Appropriate measures including fencing, vegetative buffering and building setbacks shall be considered for proposed residential subdivision interfacing with agricultural lands in the interest of mitigating potential negative impacts.

9.2 (f)  

urban agriculture;

 

urban gardens/orchard;

research and data collection;

Urban Agricultural

encourage the expansion of urban agriculture in forms such as community gardens as a creative and productive use of parks and other underutilized green spaces. Conduct an inventory of potential lands.

9.2 (g)  

food production;

food sales, access and procurement;

farmers' market;

Local Agricultural 

continue to promote and support the Cranbrook’s Farmer’s Market and encourage other initiatives involved with local food production.

9.2 (h)  

 

City of Victoria Business License Bylaw Bylaw No. 89-71

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): urban farm

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An amendment to the provisions of the Business Licence Bylaw to regulate small-scale commercial urban food production.

Note: The available consolidation of the Business Bylaw (last consolidated 2015) available here excludes these amendments.

City of Victoria Sign Bylaw NO. 14-097

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): farmers' markets, signage in agricultural areas

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An amendment to the Sign Bylaw allowing for permanent farmers market signage.

Note: The available consolidation of the Sign Bylaw (last consolidated 2015) available here excludes this amendment.