No to RVs on ALR land

Photo: Google Maps

City council is being asked to say no to a proposal by local farmer to include year round rentals of recreational vehicles on the property.

The application has been panned by staff and the city's Agricultural Advisory Committee.

The application, for the property at 3317 McCulloch Road would, according to the applicant, provide year round rentals specifically for low income individuals.

In its recommendation against the application, the AAC expressed concern over setting a precedence that ALR land be used as a solution to low-cost housing.

There were also concerns other RV site applications could come forward suggesting that sections of their farm land was not suitable for farming and suggested this land could be used for other agricultural activities.

In its decision not to support the application, staff indicated the city's Official Community Plan generally does not support non-farm uses in the ALR, unless there is a direct and significant benefit to agriculture.

The property does have space for eight recreational vehicles with water, septic and electrical hookups.

Permission was granted for the space in 2009, specifying it could only operate from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31, and stays could be no longer than 30 days.

"The facility has been illegally rented year round to residents who live on the property, and bylaw enforcement has incurred to address this," staff said in its report.

"Through this application, the applicant is seeking to legalize the illegal use."