The District of Sechelt will hold a public hearing Nov. 14 to decide on a zoning amendment application, which would allow an agritourism operation to increase its accommodation options.
As reported earlier in Coast Reporter, a rezoning application was made by the owners of Akasha Farm in ts'ukw'um (Wilson Creek) to expand its short-term agritourism accommodation from three units to 10, including five seasonal tent/RV sites.
Tyler Gray, owner of small-scale farm, says he and his wife want to increase their two domed tents to three, add two small A-frame cottages with no cooking options, and be allowed to place up to five tents across the property. An existing cabin on the property is now being used by farm workers. He notes the change would mean five structures in place year-round, instead of three, with an option to add up to five tents and/or RVs during warmer months.
Gray says because the rezoning process is so long and expensive, they were advised to apply for the maximum accommodation allowed, even though they have no plans to expand beyond what’s included in the proposal.
“We are asking for five seasonal units, just one more than our current configuration of four. The other five tent or RV sites will only be used on ad-hoc as surplus accommodations for small gatherings. The tent/ RV sites will not be advertised on any accommodation websites.”
According to the district, the proposal is aligned with the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) regulations, which falls under the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
According to the ALC, the types of accommodation permitted within the ALR are very limited and subject to restrictions for placement of fill and removal of soil. The regulation permits two types of tourism related accommodations in the ALR without requiring an application to the ALC as described below: one type requires active farming to be present and one does not. According to Gray, Akasha is an active farm.
The land in question is located at 1785 Tyson Rd., Lot 2, District Lot 3555. The proposed amendments and associated documents, including the apllicant's full proposal, may be viewed on the district’s website at sechelt.ca. Alternatively, an appointment can be made with staff regarding the proposal.
In accordance with the Local Government Act, the public hearing will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and electronically. Before the public hearing, interested parties can submit comments in the following ways:
Email: [email protected].
Regular mail: Box 129, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0.
In person: 5797 Cowrie St., 2nd floor, from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except holidays.
At the public hearing: The public is invited to participate in person at the Community Meeting Room, located on the first floor, 5797 Cowrie St.
Virtually by computer, tablet or phone. The meeting link, dial-in number and instructions can be found at sechelt.ca/meetings.
