Woodwynn ignored warnings about zoning

Re: “Hypocrisy at ALC and Central Saanich,” letter, Dec. 22.

The Times Colonist has once again presented a letter sympathetic to the Woodwynn Farms operation. This operation continues to operate illegally, and ignores the regulations that govern this property: It is a farm.

If “they” want to run an institution, “they” should acquire institutionally zoned and regulated property. For eight years, the taxpayers of this municipality have had to bear the burden of costs related to numerous calls by the bylaw-enforcement staff, inspections related to non-conforming construction, health officers regarding food issues, and several calls to first responders because of the fires, skydivers and calls regarding the state of the farm in general. The constant intrusion of obnoxious weeds, blackberries, items falling from the sky and escaping animals is difficult for the neighbouring properties, most of whom are genuine, law-abiding farmers.

I again point out that the Woodwynn management were informed very clearly before their establishment of this operation that it was non-conforming to the zoning of the property, and that there would be no support from the municipality. They ignored this warning, and also ignored the fact that there were several other properties in the district with institutional zoning that would have supported their operation.

John Waters Saanichton