Rural Lands

Policy 8.1.1. Protect Agricultural Land.
Retain the agricultural land base by supporting the ALR and by protecting agricultural lands from development. Ensure that the primary use of agricultural land is agriculture, regardless of parcel size.

Policy 8.1.2. Agricultural Land Designation.
Protect and support the continued designation and use of agricultural land for agricultural purposes regardless of soil types and capabilities. Locate agricultural structures to maximize the agricultural potential of prime soil resources.

Policy 8.1.3. ALR Exclusions.
ALR exclusion applications to the ALC will not be considered except where such exclusions are consistent with the generalized Future Land Use Map 3.1. and ALC guidance and conditions. ALR exclusion applications may be considered as part of a scheduled, comprehensive OCP Bylaw Review or Agriculture Plan Update based on the following factors:

• Consistency with the goals, objectives, and other policies in the 2040 OCP;
• Does not require the extension of municipal services; and/or
• Demonstrates a civic need that cannot be provided elsewhere.

Other considerations include the size of the parcel, the percentage of the parcel within the ALR and agricultural capability. Soil capability alone should not be used as justification for exclusion.

Policy 8.1.4. Urban Uses.
Direct urban uses to lands within the Permanent Growth Boundary, to minimize development and speculative pressure on agricultural lands.

Policy 8.1.5. Agri-tourism, Alcohol Production Facilities, Farm Retail Sales.
Support agri-tourism uses that are directly associated with and supportive of established farm operations as a primary use. Permit alcohol production facilities and farm retail sales on ALR lands where consistent with ALC policies and regulations.

Policy 8.1.6. Non-farm Uses.
Restrict non-farm uses that do not directly benefit agriculture except where such non-farm uses are otherwise consistent with the goals, objectives and other policies of this OCP. Support non-farm use applications only where approved by the ALC and where the proposed uses:

• Are consistent with the Zoning Bylaw and the 2040 OCP;
• Provide significant benefits to local agriculture;
• Do not require the extension of municipal services;
• Will not utilize productive agricultural lands;
• Will not preclude future use of the lands for agriculture; and
• Will not harm adjacent farm operations.

Policy 8.1.7. Subdivision of Agricultural Land.
Maximize the potential for agricultural land to be used for agriculture by not allowing it to be subdivided into smaller parcels, except where significant positive benefits to agriculture can be demonstrated or in the case of homesite severances approved by the ALC.

Policy 8.1.8. Secondary Suites.
Secondary suites on ALR lands must be located within a permitted principal dwelling.

Policy 8.1.9. Farm Help Housing.
As a first option, encourage farm help housing to be located within the Permanent Growth Boundary, providing access to amenities for workers. As a second option, accommodation for farm help on agricultural land on the same farm unit, where approved by the ALC, will be considered only when:

• Agriculture is the principal use on the parcel; and
• The applicant demonstrates that on-site housing for farm workers is necessary for the overall operation of the farm. The primary consideration is whether the scale of the farm operation is large enough that permanent help is deemed necessary.

Temporary farm working housing, such as bunkhouse accommodation on non-permanent foundations, is the preferred solution where  farm worker housing is justified.

Policy 8.1.10. Homeplating.
Locate buildings and structures, including farm help housing and farm retail sales areas and structures, on agricultural parcels in close proximity to one another and where appropriate, near the existing road frontage.

Policy 8.1.11. Conservation Tools.
Promote the use of conservation programs or covenants on agricultural land, where approved by the ALC, to protect environmentally sensitive areas. Conservation covenants will:

• Balance agricultural and environmental priorities and recognize the complex relationships between some agricultural uses and areas of environmental interest;
• Protect environmentally sensitive areas identified through current statutory provisions (e.g. Species at Risk) and identified through current federal, provincial and local inventory programs; and
• Focus on environmentally sensitive areas and should not unduly restrict agriculture elsewhere on the property.

Policy 8.1.12. Large Scale Alternative Energy on Agricultural Land. 
Prohibit the use of solar farms (photovoltaics) or other large scale alternative energy solutions, developed for the sale of power to third parties, on properties in the ALR.

Policy 8.3.1. Urban Agriculture.
Encourage urban agriculture, that uses integrated pest management practices, as a way of supplementing the local food system and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production, processing, and transportation. In Rural Lands, support and encourage urban agriculture using approaches that include, but are not limited to:

• Food production on public and private land including rooftops, beehives, and edible landscaping on residential boulevards, park land, backyards, and rights-of-way; and
• Private and non-profit sector universally-accessible community gardens, considering the use of City-owned land for use of community gardens where appropriate.

Policy 8.3.2. Land Linking.
Collaborate with others to increase farming opportunities on City-owned properties.

Policy 8.3.3. Indigenous Forest Gardens.
Partner with syilx/Okanagan communities to develop, forest gardens that focus on the cultivation of native and culturally important species of plants for food and medicine.

Policy 8.5.1. Glenmore Landfill Nuisance Impacts.
Do not support additional urban uses and intensification in the landfill impact buffer area, as illustrated in Map 13.8.

Policy 8.5.2. Landfill Operations and ALR.
If required, support the exclusion of ALR lands at the Glenmore Landfill only at the time of landfill operations expansion.

Policy 8.6.1. Okanagan Rail Trail Connections.
Prioritize the development of walking and biking routes that provide safe, convenient and accessible access to the Okanagan Rail Trail and Mission Creek Greenway.

Policy 8.6.2. Service Corridors.
Minimize the impact of road and utility corridors through agricultural lands, using only those lands necessary and to the maximum capacity prior to seeking new corridors. Ensure provisions are made for farm traffic to cross major roads. 

Policy 8.6.3. Road Capacity Increases.
Prioritize the removal of on street parking over land acquisition when exploring road capacity increases, with due consideration of the road’s character and function.

Policy 8.6.4. Trucking Routes.
Recognize major trucking routes identified on Map 13.4 that support larger processing and production uses in agricultural areas.  

Policy 8.7.1. Public Art Promotion.
Support public art installations at sites of historical significance, highly visible sites and/or are areas with high foot traffic. Seek opportunities to partner and collaborate with Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band on public art and placemaking initiatives that acknowledge and celebrate their traditional territory and cultural values.