A well-known developer who is eyeing 44 acres of farmland in Aldergrove got much closer to finding out if it can develop its high-density housing concept there.
At Monday鈥檚 afternoon meeting, Township council voted 5-4 to refer Genstar Development Company鈥檚 exclusion application to the Agricultural Land Commission. The land, located at 3250 264 St., is in the ALR, but not in Metro Vancouver鈥檚 Green Zone.
In February, Genstar held an open house showing a concept of townhouses and carriage houses.
In 1996, the Township applied to the ALC to take this farmland out. The ALC rejected the application. In 2010, council didn鈥檛 support referring an application to the ALC for this property.
Bertrand Creek and its tributary run through the unused farmland. The property is bordered by houses on two sides. It hasn鈥檛 been farmed for years, and has become a popular off-leash dog park, said Councillor Bob Long.
More people were against the concept than in favour, based on the feedback Genstar received from the 54 people who attended the open house.
One neighbour, who also is a member of the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society, told council on Monday that he could see single family homes but not townhouses and condos. He said higher-density development should go in the downtown core as per the Township鈥檚 Aldergrove revitalization project.
鈥淚f we are going to ignore our plans to revitalize the downtown core, why make plans at all,鈥� questioned Councillor Kim Richter. 鈥淲e end up with another Tuscan Farm (which Township approved to take out of the ALC, to allow an 85-lot subdivision) of high density stacked at one end,鈥� she said.
鈥淚f they do that, than they should have amenities within walking distance. This is nowhere near amenities.鈥�
Long, who lives in Aldergrove, was in favour of sending the application to the ALC and in favour of seeing single family homes built.
鈥淭here is no other area to develop. Aldergrove is land locked by the ALR. We can鈥檛 force people to develop in the downtown,鈥� said Long about the Township鈥檚 Aldergrove downtown revitalization plan.
鈥淭here is a definite market for single family on this land. We don鈥檛 have to approve townhouses and carriage houses.鈥�
He suggested that allowing farming, like putting cows on the land, as one resident suggested, would pollute the creek.
Councillor Grant Ward said Aldergrove needs the population boost this development would give to help the struggling downtown core.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 keep saying no. By saying no we are asking Aldergrove to fall on the sword,鈥� said Ward.
Councillor David Davis asked the Township to leave farmland alone.
鈥淭his is a cheap piece of land and that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 being looked at,鈥� said Davis.
Councillor Michelle Sparrow said it was 鈥渟hort sighted to think land is endless.鈥� She was frustrated with how much farmland the Township is developing.
Just last week, Township approved 67 compact residential lots to be built on the 153-acre Wall property at 224 Street and 72 Avenue.
鈥淭here are plenty of opportunities to develop and redevelop in Aldergrove that don鈥檛 include farmland,鈥� she said.
鈥淲hat about when food prices aren鈥檛 feasible and a tomato costs $5 or $10?鈥�
She said she has lost her confidence in the ALC to 鈥渕ake the right decision.鈥�
Mayor Jack Froese said Aldergrove needs growth if it is going to revitalize.
鈥淭here is declining enrolment at the high school and small businesses are struggling. We need people,鈥� said Froese. 鈥淚 represent our current citizens and future citizens. And this town needs some growth.鈥�
The application has now been forwarded to the ALC.
