The island

Farm-plan meeting draws questions about proposed bylaws

Residents questioned proposed changes to Denman’s land-use rules at a community information meeting on August 2.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2018-08-02 · compiled 2026-10-01

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About thirty-five people attended a Denman Island Local Trust Committee meeting on August 2 to discuss proposed amendments connected to the Farm Plan Implementation Project. The meeting was for public information and comment; the minutes describe the amendments as being at an early stage. ^[1]

Questions and comments covered the proposed definition of feedlots, setbacks, farm status, housing provisions and the inclusion of cannabis production in the definition of intensive agriculture. Staff said the proposed feedlot definition added “wholly” before “sustained by means other than grazing,” and that an operation with some grazing or pasturing would not be considered a feedlot under that definition. ^[1]

The minutes record concerns about water use and the proposed rules for agri-tourism and accommodation. They also record staff’s explanation that the proposed changes would allow agri-tourism use on specified parcels with Farm Status, and that some accommodation proposals would require a Temporary Use Permit. ^[1]

The meeting followed a June 26 town hall where the Growers and Producers of Denman and Hornby Islands said they did not support removing agriculture and horticulture as permitted uses on R1 and R2 properties. ^[2]

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