Central Saanich hopes to use a heritage revitalization agreement to keep historical Ferguson farmhouse.
The property owner applied to the district to consolidate and subdivide two properties to the northeast of Mount Newton X Road at Central Saanich Road. The result would be three properties: Ferguson farmhouse on 0.6 acres; another newer house on 0.74 acres; and 0.84 acres added to adjacent farmland. Both properties are zoned agricultural and lie within the Agricultural Land Reserve and the ALC has approved the proposal. The benefit to agriculture in the community was a prime factor in council supporting the agreement and moving the proposal forward.
“The protection of a very, very old historic farmhouse was important as well,” said Olsen, chair of the planning and development committee.
Ferguson farmhouse, built in 1904, is listed in the Central Saanich historical buildings inventory.
A public hearing will be held in the new year.