Woodwynn Farms plan awaited in C. Saanich
Province like other landowners: mayor
Central Saanich council members say the province will be treated like any other landowner when it unveils more details about its plans for Woodwynn Farms.
B.C. took ownership of the 78hectare farm in the 7700 block of West Saanich Rd. on Wednesday, saying it aims to use it as a therapeutic recovery community.
“At this point, I would say we are basically awaiting further information,” Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor said.
B.C. has said it won’t seek to build housing on the farm, which falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve. The previous owners, the Creating Homefulness Society, tried — and failed — to put up multi-family housing on the property.
Both the municipality and the Agricultural Land Commission rejected those applications.
The society, which sold the land because its debts were approaching $6 million and it was facing foreclosure, had spent a decade trying to set up a therapeutic treatment facility at the farm. Central to its program was on-site housing and anticipated income from tenants.
B.C. has promised to comply with municipal and ALR rules. It expects supportive housing for those taking part in farm programs to be located elsewhere in the region.
B.C. Housing said it will work with the municipality and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions as it maps out a longterm plan for the site.
With the next municipal election set for Oct. 20, Windsor said he anticipates that the incoming council will deal with any applications from the province. He is planning to run again.
Provincial officials have said they want to carry out renovations, which could require applications for building permits from Central Saanich.
The province is spending $6.9 million on the farm. Of that, $5.8 million is for buying the land and $1.1 million for renovations, fees and consulting costs.
“From a municipal perspective, we wouldn’t treat them any differently than anyone else,” Windsor said.
Coun. Bob Thompson said: “I think really that the key point is that whoever owns the land, that the property is farmed and in accordance with our bylaws and ALR regulations.”
Coun. Alicia Holman is looking forward to hearing more about the province’s plans.
“I’m open to whatever they bring forward,” Holman said. “I would love to see what the idea is around the farming component, and I’m certainly a strong advocate of helping those in need.
Coun. Chris Graham said: “If there’s a commitment that the focus is still on agriculture and that they are going to comply with the municipal bylaws, that we are not looking at making one of our largest farms into an institution use but still more of farmfocused activities, then I’m supportive of it.