Governance

Denman trustees advance farming bylaws after public hearing

The Local Trust Committee approved amendments and sent the proposed bylaws for further approvals after hearing questions and public submissions about farming, water and mapping.

The Denman Firestarter · Published 2026-09-06

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The Denman Island Local Trust Committee approved third readings of proposed Bylaws 228 and 229 and forwarded them for Executive Committee approval; Bylaw 228 was also forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. ^[1]

The bylaws would redesignate lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve to a new Agriculture designation, regulate dwellings and agri-tourism accommodation, update agricultural definitions and change setback regulations for associated agricultural buildings. ^[1]

The committee approved changes including a definition of a produce stand as a structure selling agricultural products grown or reared on Denman Island, and provisions for one agricultural produce stand per lot not exceeding 4.6 square metres gross floor area. ^[1]

During the Community Information Meeting, staff said the proposed changes would not alter pump-house regulations and that existing zone-specific setback rules would apply. ^[1]

Questions also addressed water availability, groundwater licensing, agri-tourism accommodation and secondary dwellings. The minutes state that monitoring groundwater or commercial-use licence conditions is outside Islands Trust authority. ^[1]

The committee later requested information about the accuracy and completion of mapping for surface water on Denman Island and an update on the Freshwater Sustainability Strategy. ^[1]

The meeting was held on February 13, 2024, at the Denman Activity Centre, and the minutes record that it adjourned at 2:25 p.m. ^[1]

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