Chilliwack looking to limit the size of houses on valuable ag land

There’s a lot of valuable farm land in the Fraser Valley….the problem is, some of it is going to waste because owners are building massive homes on top of it. Chilliwack is looking at something called a Farm Home Plate bylaw, that would restrict the size and location of houses on ag land. Councillor Chris Kloot says this needs to be addressed before it gets out of control.

“With over 30% of buyers moving in from other areas of the lower mainland we stand a risk of losing more agricultural lands to big homes, which become glorified hobby farms.  I think it’s important that we be proactive rather than reactive.”

Mayor Sharon Gaetz says they are looking for public feedback.

“I think our community will be very interested in this discussion for several reasons.  But I do know that as we talk more and more about farmland, there’s a greater and greater value that is placed on farmland.  I think people will be interested in preserving it.”

They’re recommending a maxiumum home plate size of 2,000 sq metres…there are currently 178 properties in the valley with an average plate size of 5,500 sq metres.

The issue will likely come up at 3 upcoming Rural Open Houses in Yarrow, Rosedale and Greendale.  The city is also looking at setting up a Community Open House, and they already have an online survey set up to get public feedback.

Council seemed to agree this week that while a bylaw is a great idea, variances should be allowed for owners with special circumstances.  The bylaw would only apply to actual houses and driveways, as in, livable space.  It would NOT apply to agricultural buildings.