Regional Planning Committee · Oct 8, 2014 – Members appointed by government Members appointed from 6 regions Members must live in the region where they are appointed (not new but

Regional Planning Committee Collaboration with the Agricultural Land Commission

March 27, 2015

Regional Planning Committee - 1 -

METRO 2040: IMPLEMENTATION OVERVIEW (5.1)


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5.1

Bowen Island

West Vancouver

North Vancouver

DistrictNorth Vancouver

City

Vancouver Burnaby New

WestminsterRichmond

Delta

Coquitlam Pitt

MeadowsPort Coquitlam

Langley Township

Langley City

White Rock

Surrey

TsawwassenFirst Nation

BelcarraAnmore

Lions Bay

UEL/UBC Port

Moody Maple Ridge

Metro Vancouver – 23 Local Authorities


“What the legislation provides is a framework for interactive planning—a system that relies on a cooperative process, rather

than hierarchy, to ensure that plans fit together.

It ensures that municipalities and regional districts work to prepare a regional growth strategy as equal partners. And it

makes it possible for local government and provincial government to tackle real regional issues in an integrated

way.”

Legislative Mandate

Province of BC’s Explanatory Guide for Regional Growth Strategies


“ . . .Promote human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources.”

Purpose of a Regional Growth Strategy


A history of regional planning…


+1 million people

+500,000 jobs

+500,000 homes

Planning for a Growing Region


Metro 2040 Goals

Create a Compact Urban Area

Support a Sustainable Economy

Protect the Environment and Respond to Climate Change

Create Complete Communities

Support Sustainable Transportation


Putting growth in the right places


Urban Centres and FTN

68% of growth to these areasRegional Planning Committee - 10 -

Historic Residential Growth Patterns 1961RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT

800,000 people


Historic Residential Growth Patterns 1971RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT1.1 million

people



people



people



people



people


Protecting Important Lands


Regional Land Use Designations


Vancouver Harbour Welder -PJ Mixer Flickr Creative Commons

Industrial Lands


https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Port Metro Vancouver, VancouverRegional Planning Committee - 20 -


Ocean Spray Processing Facility, Richmond

Agricultural Lands


Vancouver Farmers’ Market


Photos from Delta Farmland and Wildlife TrustRegional Planning Committee - 24 -


Metro 2040 Agricultural Policies


Metro 2040 Agricultural Policies


The ALR and the Metro 2040 Agricultural Designation

55,068 ha

4,207 ha

743 ha

465 ha

187 ha

58 ha

60,728 ha

90.6%

7%

1.2%

.8%

.3%

.1%

ALR as of August 1, 2014; Metro 2040 as of Feb. 1, 2015


Capilano Watershed

Conservation and Recreation Lands




Implementation: Four Aspects


REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY

PLAN Regional Context

Statement

Implementation: Aligning the Regional Vision and Local Aspirations


Implementation: Governing Collaboratively


Implementation: Advancing Policy


Implementation: Measuring Progress


Discussion


UPDATE ON AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVES (5.2)


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5.2

Implementing Metro 2040

Monitoring and Data Analysis

Information to Support Decision-making

Advancing Policy

Responding to Municipal & Agricultural

Community Concerns


Monitoring and Data Analysis

Farmed 50%

Not farmed and

unavailable 25%

Not farmed with

potential 25%

Status of the ALR with Respect to Farming

(2010-2011)


Parcels Used for farming

41%

Parcels Not used

for farming

59%


Source: www.alc.gov.bc.ca

ALR Applications 2006-2013


Municipality HectaresNumber of

Leases*Langley Township 2,790 495 Delta 2,701 171 Richmond 1,527 266 Surrey 1,512 223 Pitt Meadows 573 104 Maple Ridge 324 72 GVRD Electoral Area 249 15 Port Coquitlam 88 20 Langley City 16 1 Burnaby 13 12 Coquitlam 5 3 New Westminster 0.8 1 Vancouver 0.4 1

REGIONAL TOTAL 9,799 1,384

Information to Support Decision-Making


1. Property Tax Scenarios for Agricultural Land (completed 2014)

2. Farm Property Tax Investigation (recommendations under discussion)

Advancing Policy


…in progress

Regional Food Action Plan

Local Governments

Advancing Policy

Regional Food System Strategy


• Illegal Fill on Farmland Investigation and workshop completed in 2014

• Agriculture Impact AssessmentsTechnical research report completed in 2014

Responding to Concerns



Agricultural Advisory Committee since 1992

GVRD Board Agricultural communityMunicipalitiesEducational institutions Agricultural Land Commission BC Ministry of Agriculture




Discussion


British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve

Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee March 27, 2015


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5.3

Lands capable & suitable of growing food are a finite resource

4.6 million hectares or 5% of the province

Canada Land Inventory - soil & climate combined

ALR can’t be ‘rezoned’ or replaced

Not making anymore ag land ALR


Sec. 6 Purpose of the ALC Act

ALR in BC

Preserve agricultural land

Encourage farming on agricultural land in collaboration with other communities of interest

Encourage local governments, First Nations, the government & its agents to enable & accommodate farm use of agricultural land & uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws & policies


Bill 24 – What Changed? May 30, 2014 - Royal assent

September 5, 2014 - Came into force

Split ALR into two zones (Zone 1 and Zone 2)

Legislated 6 independent panels

Role of the Chair

Section 4.3 new considerations in zone 2 (economic, cultural and social values)


What has not changed?

ALC continues as an independent tribunal

Section 6 purpose of the ALC/ALR unchanged

Regional representation remains

Chair oversight of the work of the Commission

Continue to adjudicate application decisions

Continue to work with regional districts on land use planning that supports the ALR & ag uses


The Future of Farmland Regulation Summer 2014 Ministry of Agriculture consultation

ALC attended consultation meetings as observer and provided factual information

ALC invited to Ministers Reference Group with other ag group representatives

ALC provided response to questions as well as suggested amendments to existing regs

Awaiting outcome


ALC Panels

Oct 8, 2014 – Members appointed by government

Members appointed from 6 regions

Members must live in the region where they are appointed (not new but now in legislation)

BRDO selection process

Oct & Dec 2014- 6 days intensive training

Jan 2015 - Panels began meeting in regions


Governance: Regional Panels

• Full Commission = 19 Members

• 6 Panels = 1 Vice-Chair + 2 Commissioners

• Members appointed from region

• Executive Committee = Chair + 6 Vice-Chairs

North Panel

Interior Panel

Kootenay Panel

Okanagan Panel

South Coastal Panel

Island Panel

Chair


Roles & Responsibilities

Full Commission

ALC Chair

Vice Chairs

Commissioners

Executive Committee


Commission Operations – Full Commission

Consists of at least 13 individuals (19 currently) Chair, Vice Chairs & members are the Board of Directors May pass resolutions and bylaws for the management and conduct of its affairs Developing policies governing the Commission Delegating certain functions to the Executive Committee


Commission Operations - Chair

Responsible for effective management & operation of the tribunal and allocation of work among its members

Refers application files to regional panels or the Executive

Primary point of contact for local governments, First Nations and the provincial government for Commission policy, planning and delegation functions

Responsible for contact with government


Commission Operations – Vice Chairs Chair the regional panel where they live & are appointed Sit as members of the Executive Committee Review and decide applications with panel members.


Commission Operations – Commissioners

Participate on regional panels where they reside Participate at meetings of the Full Commission Review and decide applications for their panel region:

Conduct site inspections as required Conduct meetings with applicants as required Conduct meetings with applicants for exclusion applications as required by the ALC Act


Commission Operations – Executive Committee

The Chair and each of the six Vice Chairs The Executive Committee is responsible for:

deciding applications referred by the Chair deciding applications referred by a regional panel making reconsideration determinations exercising any other functions delegated by the Commission


ALC Initiatives

New improved website

Web-based application portal

ALR mapping self service

Historical document capture - access to records 1974 to present


ALC Website

Completely new site launched Sept 2014

User survey and testing to determine design

Improved and updated information

Launch pad for web application & mapping functions

Clear information for ALR landowners

Library and historical documents added


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5.4


Application Portal

Web based application process to replace paper

Improved access to application information for all stakeholders

Applications will be visible when forwarded by local government and prior to ALC decision

Currently being tested by local governments

Launch Spring 2015



ALR Mapping

Digital mapping of application decision history (24,000 applications mapped to date)

Digital mapping of boundary changes over 40 yrs

Improved ability for ALC to analyze impacts of its decisions over time

Improved public ability to determine application history on an ALR parcel of interest

Project completion end fiscal 2015/16


Historical Document Capture

Selected application records scanned 1974 – present (41,000 application files)

Include application forms, decision minutes and other key documents and maps

Goal to improve public access to ALC historical records by making them available online

Improve Commissioner & staff access to info

Ongoing entry into ALC database to 2016/17


ALC Organic Waste Issues

How do organic urban waste goals potentially impact ALR/agricultural land?

Metro Regional Organics Strategy provides limited information.

Will ‘available’ ALR land be a target to locate processing facilities and disposal sites?

Where should organic urban waste be processed and disposed of? Industrial land? Rural forested land? Outside the south coast?

Are there benefits to agriculture from organic waste management?


ALC Organic Waste Issues

Will organic urban waste displace agricultural waste disposal in already high nutrient load areas?

Is organic urban waste management a suitable use of ALR land? Limits?

Should farmers be able to benefit from organic waste as a commodity? Anaerobic digesters, tipping fees, energy sales, nutrients?

Need for an inventory of quantity of urban organics collected. Processing locations (existing and proposed)? Disposal options?


RPL/ALC MeetingMarch 27, 2015

Metro Vancouver Organic Waste Management


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5.5a

• 70% diversion by 2015• Achieved 60% in 2013

• Organics Disposal Ban one of many initiatives

INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN


• Public demand• Up to half of disposed waste is organics• Recycling organics:

− Diverts waste from disposal− Creates compost and or biofuels− Prevents landfill methane

ORGANICS DISPOSAL BAN


IMPLEMENTATION

• Phased in 2015 – 2017• Waste loads received at

our disposal facilities• Visual inspections• Surcharges to hauler


REGIONAL ORGANICS STRATEGY

Board Endorsed Strategy, 2011• MV sets economic and regulatory climate to

divert organics from disposal• MV will not process organics• Processing left to private sector, municipalities


ACTIVE ORGANICS PROCESSORS

Surrey BiofuelFacility (future)



Metro Vancouver Organic Waste

Permitting and Licencing

Ray RobbEnvironmental Regulation and Enforcement Division ManagerMarch 27, 2015 presentation to:Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee and Agricultural Land Commission Meeting


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5.5b

MV Environmental Regulation

• Discharges to the Air– Permits for single entities – Bylaws (Regulations) for sectors or activities (NRDEE)

• Discharge to Metro Vancouver Sewers– Permits for single entities– Bylaws (Regulations) for sectors

• Management of Municipal Solid Waste & Recyclable Materials at Private Facilities– Licencing for single entities


Air Emissions

Objective• Protect environment from discharges of

contaminants to the air

Means• Permits (discharge of air contaminants from a business)

• Orders (Pollution)• Potential Future Bylaw (Regulation)


Air EmissionsContaminants of concern• Odorous air contaminants• Volatile Organic Compounds• Ammonia• Particulate Matter• Hydrogen Sulphide (for Anaerobic Digesters)

Permit Process• Public and agency notification• Decision• Appeals


Air Permits

Requirements• Limit Quantity (volume) • Limit Quality (contaminant/odour concentration)• Works (equipment)• Measures (procedures, hours of operation)• Monitoring (operating, emissions, impacts)• Reporting• Fees


Municipal Solid Waste & Recyclable Materials Management

Objective• Resource Conservation and Recovery

Means• Solid Waste Licencing for

– composting,– But not anaerobic digestion (plan to include)

• Bylaw fees for disposalRegional Planning Committee - 85 -

Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Management at Private Facilities

Issues• Resource Conservation and Recovery• Proper Site Management

(neighbour/municipal concerns)• Vectors

Licence Process• Public and agency notification• Municipal Veto• Appeals


Solid Waste Licences

Requirements• Limit Quantity of MSW & RM• Limit Types MSW & RM• Works (equipment)• Measures (procedures)• Monitoring (operating, disposal quantities)• Reporting• SecurityDisposal Fees


Questions

?


COLLABORATION MOVING FORWARD (5.6)


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5.6a

AGRICULTURAL LAND COMMISSION METRO VANCOUVER

Authority Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Act, Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation

Metro 2040: Shaping our Future Bylaw 1136, 2010

Policies Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) boundaries and policies for allowable farm use and permitted uses

Urban Containment Boundary, limiting extension of sewerage services, Agricultural designation, and policies to encourage agricultural viability

Amending Processes

ALC Applications decisions are now made by the South Coast Region Panel

Metro 2040 Amendments, Regional Context Statements (RCS), decisions are made by the GVRD Board.

Metro Vancouver and the ALC: Mutual Objectives


• 1996 Implementation Agreement to Support Agriculture and the Livable Region Strategic Plan

• 2006 GVRD Board and ALC meet to discuss decision-making on regionally significant ALR applications

• 2009 ALC comments on draft regional growth strategy

• 2010 Metro Vancouver participates in Review of the Agricultural Land Commission

• 2011 ALC role embedded into Metro 2040• 2013 Metro Vancouver refers Regional Context

Statements to ALC• 2014 Metro Vancouver comments on potential

changes to the ALC Act

Strong History of Cooperation


• Information & Awareness (More effective andbroader understanding about the importance ofagricultural land and the agricultural sector in ourregion)

• Consultation (Between MV and ALC to ensureconsistency between regional growth and ALC decisions/ policies)

• Partnership & Cooperation (On actions and policies to protect agricultural land e.g. Illegal Fill on Farmland)

Opportunities for Collaboration


Discussion


Opportunities for Collaboration

Application process input

Community planning and bylaw review input

Policy discussions and input

Agriculture/ALR awareness

Compliance & Enforcement


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5.6b

ALC Application Process

Are there points in the process where Metro might provide input?

Encourage member municipalities to consider each application on its merit and with respect to not authorizing an application to proceed to the ALC if the land is zoned to permit agricultural or farm use or an amendment to a bylaw is necessary to allow a development contemplated by an application.


Land Use Planning

Community planning and bylaw review input

Encourage member municipalities to plan for agriculture and encourage the use of those lands

Encourage member municipalities not to forward applications unless they meet zoning

Encourage member municipalities to consult the ALC early in land use planning processes


Policy

Opportunity to discuss land use issues early

Examples: Truck Parking; Organic Waste; Anaerobic Digesters; Medical Marijuana


Agriculture Awareness

Metro projects that link to the ALR help encourage agriculture and the use of the ALR (eg. inventory of unused ALR land; how to encourage use of unused ALR land; and taxation study)

ALC can participate but lacks capacity to carry out this kind of work and appreciates Metro’s efforts


Compliance & Enforcement

Coordination role with member municipalities

Unauthorized filling requires leadership

Encourage bylaws that are consistent and enforced across municipalities.


Documents

Regional Planning Committee · Oct 8, 2014 – Members appointed by government Members appointed from 6 regions Members must live in the region where they are appointed (not new but