The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board this week voted to express its opposition to an application to exclude land from the Agricultural Land Reserve in the Tantalus Acres area in the Squamish Valley, part of Electoral Area D.
While the board sent its position, based on a recommendation of administration, to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) on Monday (March 25), Area D director Moe Freitag had concerns over who actually owns the property.
Freitag said to get further clarity on the issue, he spoke Squamish Nation officials, who indicated a portion of the land that forms part of the application belongs to them.
Squamish director Rob Kirkham said the land issue stems from an incorrect survey in land titles and that the Crown erroneously sold the lands.
The staff report indicted Lot 1, approximately two hectares in size, was recently downsized as part of the historical mapping/survey error in the Tantalus Acres area involving First Nations land.
The applicant's reasoning in seeking the exclusion is that land is not suitable for agriculture and is currently being used for residential purposes.
SLRD administration, however, argued that provincial mapping for the area indicates the land is suitable for agriculture purposes.
Area D plan advances
The Official Community Plan for Electoral Area D received first and second reading at Monday's meeting.
The OCP applies to the Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Porteau, Upper Squamish, Upper Cheakamus, Ring Creek and Pinecrest/Black Tusk areas.
The major planning document was referred to the Agricultural Land Commission, provincial departments and First Nations for their input. The document has been under review since 2009. It includes new development permit requirements for riparian protection, protection of farming, protection from wildfire and water and energy conservation as per best practices.
It has also been brought into line with the policies in the Regional Growth Strategy and the draft Integrated Sustainability Plan.
Financial plan OKed
While the majority of the SLRD's operational and capital budget items have been dealt with, the final pieces were voted on at this week's meeting an the five year financial plan adopted.
The board voted to provide $150,000 for the Sea to Sky Trails budget and $75,000 to implement the Northern Areas (Lillooet and Areas A and B) Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. A report on the strategy implementation is expected back to the board before the 2014 budget is determined to assess its success.
The board will also consider the cost implications of adding Electoral Area A, the Gold Bridge and Bralorne areas, to the Regional Growth Strategy.
