Council won’t support subdividing Marley Farm in Central Saanich.
They were faced with an application to subdivide the property into three parcels, two roughly 10-acre lots and a 26-acre lot on the eastern portion of the property that includes the outbuildings. The Mount Newton X Road farm is zoned for agriculture and lies within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
“We’re not asking for rezoning, we’re not asking for any variances,” said Brad Cunnin, of Brad Cunnin Land Surveying, on behalf of the proponent.
He asked that council forward the application to the Agricultural Land Commission. Council could have done that, with or without comment or choose to reject the application.
“We would hope that you would agree that it needs to have its full consideration,” Cunnin said, adding that 10 acre parcels doesn’t take it out of agricultural production. “It does make the land more accessible.”
Council chose to go with the staff suggestion to reject the application. Staff noted in a report to council that the proposal is contrary to the Official Community Plan that says further subdivision of farmland will not be supported.
“It just goes against all the policies we have regarding farmland,” said councillor Susan Mason. “I think personally that Marley Farms is a beautiful farm and it would be a shame to see it split up into three parcels.”
Councillor Ron Kubek left the discussion citing possible conflict as he’d done business in the past with the Marley family.