Farm Worker Accommodations - Update

Earlier this year we reached out to local farmers and the greater community as we began drafting farm worker accommodation guidelines. With community feedback in hand, the guidelines were adjusted by decreasing the minimum lot size and removing setback requirements. We also included that the accommodation should be installed on a temporary foundation with no basement.

We also sought comments from the Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission, Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) staff and Ministry of Agriculture staff.

Based on the results of public consultation, the referral responses and best practices, two amendment bylaws have been drafted for Council consideration. Key highlights of the draft guidelines include the following:

• All areas designated as Rural and Agricultural on the OCP Land Use Plan are designated as Temporary Use Permit Areas
• The property must be classified as a farm and be a minimum of 2 hectares
• The accommodation shall be installed on a temporary foundation with no basement
• The accommodation may be used to house farm workers from other farms subject to a written agreement and the other farms meeting the guidelines
• If not used for two consecutive years, the accommodation shall be removed or decommissioned
  
  

These draft amendment bylaws will now be sent to the ALC and, if approved, the amendment bylaws will be brought back to Council for consideration of bylaw readings and a public hearing.

For further information and the results of the public consultation, please see the staff report.