Public to have a say on City's agriculture plan

The City’s agricultural plan committee has a draft that’s expected to go out for public feedback in spring.

Coun. Nelly Dever, who sits on the committee, said Friday the report still needs a few more eyes to check it over before it goes to City council.

Once council gives its nod — likely to occur next month — then the public consultations begin.

Or as Dever calls it, “the road show.”

Groups such as food stores, various commercial agricultural organizations, neighbourhood associations and agencies such as Venture Kamloops and Community Futures will get presentations in addition to the public meetings.

While the City doesn’t have a lot of control over agriculture, there are still many aspects that have an impact on Kamloops, such as land use/zoning, buffer zones between urban and agricultural areas and even food security.

Dever said the groups and public will be invited to add anything they feel is missing from the draft document, as long as it’s within the City’s purview.

From there, City staff and the agricultural plan committee go over changes and forward the final version to council. That process could be complete by the end of the year.

The plan will help the City to create and implement policies. For example, some landowners are looking to divide up their properties into smaller parcels. If the City is asked to rezone those lots, policies could help guide decision making.

Dever said the plan also includes a condensed history of agriculture within Kamloops and a survey of where those lands still exist.

“It’ll give people a snapshot of where we are today and where we come from,” she said.

“We want to preserve and support it and make it viable for generations to come.”

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