ALR change will help families in transition

Jul 4, 2019 | 2:45 PM

Spallumcheen’s mayor is applauding an extension to the grandfathering period for manufactured homes for immediate family members in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham has extended the period to Feb 22, 2020, a change made after hearing from impacted people.

“As we’ve worked to make long-overdue changes to help farmers farm, we heard from people living in the ALR, many who said they aren’t farming but purchased ALR land for residential use. We understand that some have been caught in the transition. We’ve listened and have given people a bit more time to get their permits in place,” Popham said.

Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser said she and others appreciate the ministry listening to the township’s concerns regarding recent changes to the regulations.

“This interim plan will help families who were already in process with their second residence when the changes occurred. We look forward to consulting with the ministry next year on future regulations that will provide more flexibility for families that are farming in our community,” Fraser said.

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The manufactured home must be nine metres or less in width, and must be for the use of the owner or a member of their immediate family.

The Feb. 22, 2020, deadline was selected to provide adequate time and flexibility for landowners to obtain, and local governments to process, the required authorizations.

According to discussions with a sample of local governments, processing permits for manufactured homes can take from three weeks to six months.

“We are happy about this change as it gives our son and his family the opportunity to have a home on our ALR property,” Kris Welk of the Comox Valley said. “It provides us with the flexibility we need so we can age in place with our family.”

Farmers in the ALR continue to be able to build additional residences to support farm use, including manufactured homes, by application to the Agricultural Land Commission.

“Less than five per cent of B.C.’s land is in the ALR. We need to protect this farmland to support farmers, encourage agriculture jobs and strengthen food security in B.C.,” Popham added.

by Pete McIntyre

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