FARM ACCESS ROAD – AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE APPROVAL

RICHMOND, BC

CLIENT: BILL ZYLMANS

Historical anomalies abound in the Agricultural Land Reserve that continue to plague legitimate farmers for over 50 years since the Reserve was created.  When municipal rules change over time it often leaves farmers having to seek approvals to regain rights they always took for granted.  In this particular instance when a legitimate farmer sought building permits for a home and farm buildings they were denied because the municipality declared that the access they had been using to farm the land since 1948 was ‘unimproved’ and would have to be improved in order to qualify for a Building Permit.  Despite a recommendation from staff that the approval to forward the application to the Agricultural Land Commission be denied, Council disagreed and sent the application to the Agricultural Land Commission and they promptly approved the required Agricultural Land Reserve Transportation, Utility, and Recreational Trail Use Application allowing the farmer to improve the road and eventually receive the desired Building Permits.