Institutional use of farm is not allowed

Re: “Province buys Woodwynn, spends $6.9M,” July 12.

No institutional housing at Woodwynn Farm? It has never been allowed. There are two key words, though: institution and housing.

Agricultural Land Reserve A1 land cannot host an institution. Though I am delighted the farm is to be farmed and buildings restored for the purpose for which they were constructed, I cannot help but wonder if B.C. Housing read the zoning on Woodwynn Farm. These buildings cannot become classrooms and offices.

A therapeutic community to be educated and trained on the farm sounds very much like an institutional use. Education, counselling and facilities for staff, which would likely include offices for medical and legal interaction, and a kitchen and restaurant/dining room for meals, would be classed the way schools, churches, etc. are, as an institution, whether operated by the province or a society.

Housing was not the issue. Institutional use, whether it includes on-site housing or not, is not permitted under the zoning, nor is it allowed under the ALR.

B.C. Housing should be commended for intending farm work as a transition phase for people successful in their recovery.

All the institutional infrastructure is required to be located off-site, not just housing. Agricultural land is for farming. Karen Harris Saanichton