The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be seeking public feedback in the coming months on the creation of a new agricultural zone - the 'A' zone.
Still in draft form, the 'A' zone would replace the current RU3 zone, which extends from Halfmoon Bay to West Howe Sound and takes in lands that are predominantly within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
The change was prompted because the RU3 zone is too restrictive and inconsistent with ALR regulations, planner Gregory Gebka reported to the SCRD's corporate and administrative services committee on July 25.
Intended to be "relatively permissive" of activities deemed to be farm uses within the ALR, the draft 'A' zone would allow:
Agriculture on ALR lands under more broadly defined terms, including the raising of livestock, which is currently permitted for domestic consumption only.
A farm business and intensive agriculture, though the latter would require a minimum eight-hectare lot.
More agricultural product sales than current zoning allows.
A secondary suite within a single detached dwelling.
Agri-tourism and tourist accommodation in the form of campgrounds, subject to a temporary use permit.
A winery or cidery as an accessory use, including a small restaurant.
A brewery or creamery as an ancillary use.
Farm research and education, subject to a maximum lot coverage under ALC regulations.
Horse riding, training or boarding facilities.
The draft zone also includes a requirement to file written notice to remove or deposit soil in certain situations and stipulates proposed setbacks from lot lines, watercourses and water bodies for farming activities.
The draft has made the rounds of area advisory planning commissions and received mixed reviews, causing some directors to advise caution at the July 25 meeting.
"There have been concerns raised about having businesses in the agricultural zone," West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull said. "This is going to create havoc in our agricultural zone."
The committee, however, agreed to modify staff recommendations and move forward with wider public consultation on the draft.
"I feel there's a lot of work to do and this is just part of it," Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis said. "We might have to go three times to the public."
Gebka said the public outreach program is already starting with an online survey, and plans include a series of poll questions that will be available at local grocery stores and carried on the SCRD website.
Four agricultural area plan workshops scheduled for late September and the first half of October will focus mainly on the plan, but planning staff will also be attending to answer questions and hear opinions on the draft 'A' zone.
A zoning bylaw amendment will be presented to the September planning and development committee meeting, "just to get the bylaw on the table for discussion," Gebka said, adding that first reading will trigger a series of public information meetings to review the proposed bylaw.
