District of Saanich, Clerks Office, Peninsula Agricultural Commission ...

MINUTES OF THE
PENINSULA AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Glamorgan Farm, North Saanich
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008, AT 7:30 PM
Present: Bob Maxwell in the Chair; Ruby Commandeur; Chris Gosling; Michael Doehnel; Bev Marley; Lana
Popham; Ken Travis; Flora Wood; Councillors Bryson (C. Saanich), and Gillespie (Saanich). Also
present was Isobel Hoffmann, Sr. Committee Clerk.
Regrets: Councillors Loveless & Scoones; Terry Michell; Rob Kline.
Guests: Ivan Mishchenko; Sharon Jack; Jim Reilsen; Nathalie Chambers; Patrick Barlow; Frank Edgell;
Ramona Scott; Anne Topp, Saanich Planner; Sandra Masai; Wayne Hopkins & Mark Eraut, Island
Berry Company.
Minutes: Moved by Lana Popham and Seconded by Michael Doehnel : “That the Minutes of March 13 and
April 10, 2008 be adopted.”
Carried
TREASURER’S REPORT – Ken Travis
− An honorarium was paid to Stephen Eng for assisting with the Soils Workshops last month;
supplies and printing costs for the materials used at the workshops amounted to $500, to be paid
to Bob Maxwell. This money will come from the education fund.
− He noted he will have to redeem the $1500 GIC and will re-invest $1000 in another GIC.
SPEAKER’S BUREAU
Sandra Masai – Mini Market at Music in the Park
− She works with the Central Saanich Energy Committee who is concerned about climate change.
− One of the main contributors is food miles and one way to combat this is to eat local food – as
supported with the 100 mile diet.
− The group wants to augment the current Saturday farmers market at the Saanich Fairgrounds by
having a mini market on Wednesdays at the Music in the Park events held at Brentwood Pioneer
Park, on West Saanich Road, between 6 pm and 8:30 pm, starting on July 2.
− It will be called “produce in the park”; she has arranged for a table and volunteers to man it.
− Farmers can drop off their produce and come back a few hours later to collect the proceeds and
any left over produce.
− She will ask Central Saanich to advertise the market on their website.
− The Sidney Market is very successful, and she hopes people will participate in this also.
− She can be contacted at 652-7081, or at sandramasai@shaw.ca
Suggestions from the Commission to promote the event included contacting Kentucky Douglas to
print an article in the Peninsula News, and the DFMA to promote the farm market on their website.
Wayne Hopkins and Mark Eraut, Island Berry Company
− The Island Berry Company owns two properties: the Beckwith Tree Farm and Panama Flats,
totaling 131 acres, with 80 acres in the ALR.
− Application will be made soon to the ALC to include all the property within the ALR.
− Considerable drainage works are planned for the Panama Flats property to address the
flooding that occurs every year from storm water runoff.
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
− The want to achieve a certified organic status for the 150,000 blueberry bushes that will be
planted.
− It is hoped to net 392,000 lbs of berries by year three; 980,000 lbs by year five, with a mature
crop yielding about 1.2 million pounds.
− The primary crop will be blueberries, but they are considering other types of berries also.
− This is a large investment – one of the largest in agriculture in some time. They are hoping for
an economic income of $800,000 annually.
− The company plans to eventually have 8 to 10 full time employees; the picking will be mixed –
some by hand and some by machine.
− Mostly the berries will be sold locally, some will have to be sent off shore.
− The marketing plan is not complete at this time but it is anticipated they will sell fresh, frozen,
and dried berries, as well as the value-added products such as juices, teas, etc.
− The company can be a clearing house for local producers under their own brand names.
− Many domains have been acquired for websites but a final decision has not been made; at the
moment they are using www.islandberrycompany.ca
− They do accept their share of responsibility for the current issues regarding drainage and
berming, noting that they could have handled it better. There has been some progress and
they hope the plan keeps moving forward. He believes that Saanich also has to accept some
of the responsibility.
− Panama Flats has 11 storm drains around its perimeter; the existing ditches are not effective.
− Most of the water that floods onto the property cannot find an exit; it becomes stagnant and
lacks oxygen (less than 1%). Nothing can survive and algae take over.
− One of the first things they will do is catch the storm water, channel it through proper drainage
connections and remove the existing weir; this will allow them to control the amount of storm
water on the property. The channels will be vegetated, bringing them closer to organic
certification.
− In the winter, water can be held on the property and released slowly into the Colquitz.
− From a Fisheries and Oceans point of view, the fish cannot survive in the Colquitz right now.
They have been advised that in the peak summer period there is a lack of water and because
of the weir water that accumulates on Panama Flats cannot make it to the Colquitz system.
In response to questions from the Commission, they stated:
− They have been careful about the soils that are being brought to the site; they are not
contaminated soils. The trucks are being monitored as they arrive and they have a contract
with reputable companies.
− They have hired professional storm water engineers and Brian French, an agrologist.
− Two of the main issues raised by the engineers are the flood waters from the Saanich storm
drains (which can be addressed by channeling the water around the property) and what
happens if the Colquitz overflows its banks.
− Regarding the possible overflow from Colqutiz Creek, after meeting with the neighbours on site
and listening to their concerns, they have asked their engineers to revisit the matter and advise
on the possible impacts to the surrounding properties. Dealing with historical levels is one
thing – but increasing levels is something else.
− Their engineers and Saanich staff have looked at various options to address the concerns of
the residents – but it takes two willing participants to deal with it. Hopefully after (the court
hearing) tomorrow both parties will be able to talk about the issues; he believes there is always
a solution.
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
− Continued public access around the property has become an issue: people want to keep
walking their dogs here, but once the berms are complete and the farm is in full operation, this
will not be an option. They have talked to Saanich about putting a trail on top of the berm so
people can walk around the property instead of through it.
− The intention of the berms is to control flooding on the property; the first area bermed will be
along the Carey Road side; this needs to be completed by September in order to plant.
− The berms can handle large water capacity without affecting anyone and will be at a 5:1 slope
to maximize the planting area. If berming was done the way Saanich wants, planting area
would be lost.
− The ditch in the centre of the property is open to direct sunlight but once the berms are built
and vegetated, the ditch will be shaded and create a better habitat than presently exists.
− In the long term, they want to berm the entire property to control every day occurrences. It will
take 70,000 cubic metres of soil to do this.
− The berms are constructed with clay-based soil which is presently coming from the Lumber
World and the Royal Oak School sites.
− The soil is not just dumped: it is mounded and shaped and topped with top soil – and all this
costs money.
− Structural materials will be used to build a farm market and production building, as well as a
small parking lot, on the Carey Road side of the property.
− He acknowledged that the land has flooded every winter to a depth of about 5’, but as long as
the Colquitz keeps flowing, he doesn’t think there will be a problem.
− Most of the land in the centre of the property is peat, which acts like a sponge; after digging to
a depth of 16’ they still found no water. The soils around the perimeter are clay-based.
− They expect the berms will settle somewhat and there will be some percolation.
− The berms will be between 5 m and 8 m above sea level.
− The drainage will be installed at a 60 cm depth, and as long as the water keeps moving, the
land will be able to handle large amounts of rainwater.
− The water can be held and pumped out at intervals once the rain stops; they will rely on advice
from their engineers on this issue.
− They are aware of the abundance of wildlife currently, but it is farmland and it has been farmed
for many years. They want to continue to farm the property but at the same time ensuring
there are no more problems.
− In 1966/68, a storm water management plan was completed by the Saanich Engineer of the
day, Frank Neate; he recommended expropriation of properties. Copious amount of historical
data on the lands and the Colquitz have been reviewed.
− Saanich told them they have to take full responsibility for the management of the water; they
have no problem accepting some of the responsibility – but not all of it.
− The District of Surrey has had to spend over $50,000 on drainage works because of lawsuits;
there is no doubt in his mind that the water flooding the property is from Saanich storm drains.
− The Island Berry Company has over $2 million invested in this project and they want to ensure
that no further harm is caused to the surrounding residents.
− The previous owner, the Vantreights, tried to sell the property to Saanich – they didn’t want it.
Other offers to purchase have been made over the years, and Saanich has always refused.
− Saanich could have implemented a storm water management plan and created an eco-system
and bird sanctuary. The flats are unsuitable for residential development due to the unstable
peat base.
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
− They do have a business plan and have had discussions with local blueberry farmers. At this
time, he is unable to disclose the entire plan.
− They stated that Brian French, the agrologist, is a co-owner in the project and prepared the
plans for the ALC, but there is no conspiracy.
− The ALC has approved their farm plan and supports the work they are doing.
Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Eraut left the meeting and discussion ensued noting the following points:
� Questioned whether Colquitz Creek could accept additional water run off.
� Interurban Road floods most years.
� Saanich is not doing an integrated storm water management plan.
� The proponents are not farmers – they are in business to make money.
� Trying to make over 100 acres of property certified organic will be costly.
� If the projected yields of over a million pounds of berries hold true, it will saturate the local
market and they will have to export – which increases their carbon footprint and affects
the environment.
� Organic plants have to be hand pruned, and the sawdust needed to mulch over 100 acres
every year will be hard to come by. It is not easy to make a profit from organic farming.
� Local blueberry growers may consider this business a threat, especially when there are
almost 3,000 acres of blueberries on the lower mainland.
� Anyone buying property should use due diligence; this property has been a toilet for years
and to start an organic farm here when there are many other farms available to purchase
raises the question of why this property?
� Regardless of the concerns about organic farming – the main issue is the berming.
� Apparently the ALC has endorsed their farm plan and allowed the dumping of fill.
� However, the agrologist who put the proposal together is a part owner of the business.
� Some members thought we should be glad that someone is going to farm it because
Saanich didn’t take any responsibility for it, or buy it for a natural habitat area. The berm
will protect the farmland.
� Peat bogs are the best for growing root vegetables, why change everything to grow a crop
that doesn’t grow well with too much water?
� Why would investors from Calgary put money into a site that floods and is surrounded by
development?
� Regardless of who is responsible for the drainage issues, what is the overall effect going
to be from developing the property as proposed?
� What will be the effect of diverting the water into the Colquitz?
� Because of the lack of an integrated storm water management plan in Saanich, can PAC
make an informed opinion?
� No one had any objections to the proposal at Beckwith Farm. There is excellent potential.
� However, the Panama flats property is better suited to other crops.
� The owners have a phase 1 and a phase 2 plan: phase 1 is to berm half of the property. If
this doesn’t work – we are left with 70,000 loads of dirt that have to be moved.
� Robert Bridgeman of UVIC is conducting an ecological restoration programme on Colquitz
Creek, which is connected to Blenkinsop Lake. If the Panama Flats property is berm as
proposed, the additional water flowing into the Colquitz will affect the fish habitat.
Summary: PAC’s Land Use Sub-Committee will review the proposal in more detail, but in the
meantime, PAC would suggest that Saanich look into an integrated storm water
management plan for the area around Panama Flats. While the Beckwith Farm
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
property has excellent potential for growing blueberries, Panama Flats would be
better suited to root crops.
CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letter from C. Saanich re Oldfield Road, advising the matter has been referred to the
rezoning application at 1746 Verling; the OCP review and the upcoming review on the DCC.
Apparently signs have already been posted along Oldfield.
b) Letters from all four municipalities confirming the appointments of both Flora Wood and Chris
Gosling, and approval of the revised Terms of Reference.
c) Letter from C. Saanich asking for PAC’s comments on two development variance permit
applications: 7709 East Saanich Road and 6444 Welch Road. Council particularly wanted
to know if PAC had concerns about reducing the buffer area between the development and
the existing farmland.
Councillor Bryson provided some background information as follows:
7709 East Saanich Road:
− A variance is requested to reduce the rear setback from 14 m to 4.4 m to allow construction
of four townhouses. The property backs onto the ALR.
− Variances are also requested for the front and side setbacks, as well as a reduction in the
parking area and the front fence height.
− If the required setbacks were adhered to, only two homes could be built.
− A covenant will be registered against the property ensuring that future buyers will be alerted
to the agricultural nature of the adjacent properties.
− Berming and fencing will be done to protect the farmland.
Comments from PAC were noted as follows:
− Central Saanich needs more affordable housing;
− It is good to make future owners aware of the close proximity of farm activities;
− Sometimes what people use in their gardens is not always compatible with farms and a
protective buffer strip would help.
− Some felt that after many years, people may contest the covenants.
6444 Welch Road
− A height variance from 8 m to 10.16 m is requested to allow a new home and accessory
building.
− The property is zoned A-2, is within the ALR and is surrounded by agricultural land.
− Comments from PAC would be appreciated.
The secretary distributed a few copies of the information to members and would email to others; the
Land Use sub-committee to meet as soon as possible to discuss so that comments can be sent to C.
Saanich as requested.
SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNING FOR 2008
Saanich Fair 2008 - postpone discussions to the June meeting; Sub-Committee meeting to
be arranged for mid-June. The secretary advised she had contacted Camosun College regarding a
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
videographer to make a film of Peninsula farms and their irrigation, composting and harvesting
practices. Likely an honorarium would be required.
AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION – Sub-Committee Updates
Farm Economics – Terry Michell/Phil Christensen – nothing to report
Agricultural land Base – Bob Maxwell /Chris Gosling
Mr. Gosling stated:
� Housing Mexican and other foreign seasonal farm workers is going to become an issue.
� We could grow more food on the Island if we had the labour required.
� Reasonably priced motels are not available during the summer months.
− Councillor Gillespie noted that N. Saanich is considering legalizing secondary suites to
help address the issue.
− Councillor Bryson stated that Policy 12 of the C. Saanich draft OCP looks at criteria to
support temporary accommodation for farm workers – and this is a good start.
− Some members thought the nematode restriction in C. Saanich is unfair and unjustified; it
should be changed. Farmers should have the right to grow potatoes; there are many
different varieties that are resistant to nematodes; he will bring some material to present at
the next meeting.
Resource Stewardship – Phil Christensen – nothing to report
Education - Flora Wood – nothing to report
Regulations – Ruby Commandeur – nothing to report
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES – CURRENT – nothing new to report
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES - NEW
a) Information from Ministry of Agriculture & Lands re 2009 Agricultural Advisory workshops
from Brent van Dalfsen, Manager of the Strengthening Farming Programme; the link for the
information was email to PAC members.
b) Frank Edgell provided information on the June 5 Integrated Water Management Meeting.
The Agenda was emailed to PAC members.
Next Meeting: The next PAC meeting will be held on THURSDAY, JUNE12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Committee Room No. 2, Saanich Municipal Hall.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
I hereby certify that these Minutes are correct.
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Peninsula Agricultural Commission May 8, 2008
______________________________
Recording Secretary
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