Governance

Farm Plan proposals draw questions at Denman meeting

The proposed changes include new agriculture rules, agri-tourism accommodation and temporary farm-help housing, with public feedback sought.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2018-08-02 · compiled 2026-09-06

Back issue. The Denman Firestarter did not exist on 2018-08-02. This edition was compiled on 2026-09-06 from the public record as it stood on 2018-08-02, and contains nothing dated after that day — no outcomes, no hindsight. It is a reconstruction of what was on the record at the time, not a document from the time. This edition.

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The Denman Island Local Trust Committee is considering amendments to its Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw as part of the Farm Plan Implementation Project, and staff say public comments will be received by the committee and posted on the website. ^[1]

The proposals include a new “Agriculture” land designation, changes to four existing definitions, four new definitions and three changes to setback requirements. ^[1]

The proposed agri-tourism rules would allow agri-tourism use on specified parcels with Farm Status, and agri-tourism accommodation subject to a Temporary Use Permit; farms in the Agricultural Land Reserve could also operate a maximum of three seasonal unserviced campsites or cottages under a permit. ^[1]

Staff said the estimated time from receipt of a complete Temporary Use Permit application to approval is approximately three months, and that the Local Trust Committee has the ability to set the price for the permits. ^[1]

The proposed housing changes would permit one principal dwelling, one secondary suite within the principal dwelling and one temporary dwelling for immediate family on a property in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Farm-help accommodation could also be permitted subject to a Temporary Use Permit. ^[1]

For an Agricultural Land Reserve parcel 2 hectares or larger with Farm Status, the proposals would allow one temporary dwelling, with a maximum size of 1300 sq. ft., for farm-help accommodation, subject to verification of need by the Agricultural Land Commission. ^[1]

The special meeting took place on August 2 at the Denman Activity Centre, with approximately thirty-five members of the public present. The next regular meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, at 9:30 am at the Denman Activity Centre. ^[1]

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