Agri-Tourism Accommodations in Lake Country

The following press release was sent to the media yesterday.

AGRI-TOURISM ACCOMMODATION ON ALR LAND

Lake Country, BC – Current regulations on RV Accommodations on agricultural land are being reviewed by staff after Council heard concerns specifically with respect to a recent development of an RV Campground in Oyama. Such regulations have a minimum provision that applications for RV Campgrounds on farm land only need a building permit, which does not require Council to make a decision but it is granted by staff as long as the zoning requirements are met.

As part of the review, on May 17^th Council gave 2 readings to Zoning Amendment Bylaw 790, 2011 which deals with issues such as buffering, minimum setbacks, appropriate placement and restricting the number of permitted units based on lot size. At the same time, Council will exercise powers under the Local Government Act that all new applications for RV accommodations on farm land are to be approved by Council. This power can be exercised only for 90 days from May 17^th. In addition, Council requested that Bylaw 790 be subject to an extensive consultation process with the public and interested and affected stakeholders.

At last night Council meeting, staff informed Council that such an extensive consultation process would take longer than the 90 days provided by the legislation to "fix" the bylaw. To avoid the gap that would be left after the expiry of the legislated process and to minimize the impact of possible new applications prior to the new bylaw being adopted, staff has recommended that the current regulations be rescinded for the time being. This would allow for a less rushed process and would ensure that all stakeholders and the general public are properly heard. Staff would then have the time to review all the comments and forward those to Council for the approval of new regulations. Bylaw 793, which removes agri-tourism accommodation for the interim, was given first and second reading and Council decided also to wave the Public Hearing requirements and obtain feedback from the public by soliciting input through public notifications and letters to those affected by this change. By the way of this process, residents and stakeholders have an opportunity to submit their comments up until July 5^th, when the rescinding bylaw will be discussed again.

In the meantime, the public consultation process on the new regulations will begin with times and locations being announced in the next few weeks. More information on the proposed changes can be obtained from the Development Services department at the District of Lake Country Municipal Hall or from the District's website.

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For more information, please contact:

Mike Reiley, Director of Development Services

250-766-6674