City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4042

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