Press Releases

Chilliwack, BC- The City of Chilliwack recently received the Agricultural Land Commission Review of Boundary Adjustment Subdivisions in the City of Chilliwack (1991-2009).

The review involved the assessment of all boundary adjustment subdivisions in Chilliwack between April 1991 and February 2009 to determine if the approvals made by the City were in accordance with the Agricultural Land Commission Act. It is important to note that, contrary to some media reports, no land was removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve in any of these boundary adjustments.

The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) examined approximately 250 files and found that 66 were inconsistent, meaning that the boundary amendment was considered not to have met the criteria laid out in the applicable ALC Regulations. The report also makes clear that the majority of inconsistent amendments took place prior to 2002. The majority of amendments (147) in the review period were consistent with the criteria. Of the 11 files identified after 2002; four were approved by the ALC and City staff is currently reviewing the remaining files with the ALC, to understand how they deem them inconsistent and to determine how the City can improve policies and procedures.

The report recommends amendment of a 1994 City policy, stricter monitoring of boundary adjustments and a closer working relationship with the ALC in regard to applications, briefings and plans. In regards to the 1994 City policy, it is important to note that it was enacted during a provincial economic downturn. In the same period the Canadian Forces Base in Chilliwack was closed and the city lost two food-processing plants. This had a significant impact on local jobs and the economy. Residential construction and development provided a much needed economic boost. City staff was encouraged to facilitate development activity at that time. 

“The report largely reflects changes in practices that are already in effect at the City of Chilliwack,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “We are committed to protecting farmland and promoting agriculture and at the same time we must balance residential, commercial, industrial and environmental needs in land use planning.

The report acknowledges that a significant time period has elapsed since the inconsistent boundary adjustments were made and that changes to the regulations in 2002 resulted in significant improvements in the administration of boundary adjustments

“The City of Chilliwack is pleased the review is complete and that the ALC has made reasonable recommendations to move ahead with,” said Mayor Gaetz. “We look forward to working closely with the ALC to achieve our mutual goal of protecting our valuable farmland.”

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Land Use in Chilliwack

Municipal land use decisions are made by balancing a number of factors. These include finding land for residential growth, providing economic development sites to help create local jobs, providing institutional sites for the development of schools, health care and recreational facilities and preserving agricultural lands and green space.

The City of Chilliwack is committed to protecting farmland and promoting agriculture. Agricultural land use comprises about 65% of the land base in the City, and is some of the most productive agricultural land in the province.

The City has done a good job of balancing the demands of residential growth and job creation with the need to protect agricultural land and preserve green space.

Since the early 1970’s, Chilliwack’s population has more than doubled, with most of the residential growth occurring within existing urban boundaries through densification. This minimizes the impact on agricultural lands. The City’s population is expected to reach 138,000 by 2031.

Ten years ago, the City had an annual average of 42 building permit applications. In 2007, the City approved 1400. Since 2003 alone, building permits have doubled.

In the mid-to-late nineties, the province was in an economic downturn. In the same period the Canadian Forces Base in Chilliwack was closed and the city lost two food-processing plants. This had a significant negative impact on local jobs and the economy. Residential construction and development activity provided a much-needed economic boost.

Land use decisions at that time were fuelled by the need to create local jobs and stimulate the economy. With the improvement in the economy and unprecedented growth in the Fraser Valley, the City has embraced new strategies to balance needs.

Since 2000 the City has worked closely with the Fraser Valley Regional District to develop a regional growth strategy that sets out actions to guide long range planning decisions to manage growth and change over the next 20 to 30 years.

The plan outlines goals covering transportation, agriculture, sustainable communities, protection for the natural environment, urban and rural lands, the economy, and water and energy.

One of the key goals of the strategy is to manage urban growth responsibly. Chilliwack’s Official Community Plan sets out polices for infill and densification that reduces pressure on agricultural lands, rural areas and environmentally or geotechnically sensitive areas (such as hillsides), as well as reduces costs to service new development.

The Agricultural Land Commission was established in 1972. Since that time, numerous Official Community Plan Reviews and consultation processes in Chilliwack have concluded that there is a need for an Urban Containment Boundary to formalize the urban boundary and protect farmland in Chilliwack.

The ALC has never accepted this proposal.

In its Future Plan consultation process, which looks out to 2021, the community has chosen to support a strategy to allow for sustainable long-term planning that involves:

• A refined valley floor focus on densification of existing urban areas – this means building up - not out - to prevent urban sprawl, and includes redevelopment of central downtown areas through multi-family housing.
• Selected ALR exclusions
• Continued work with the Agricultural Land Commission to establish a rational Urban Containment Boundary, and allow limited expansion of urban areas where infrastructure already exists.

The City of Chilliwack has established clear land use policies and procedures. These practices are consistent and fair and meet provincial standards. More information is available about land use in Chilliwack in the Official Community Plan [Link to Chilliwack OCP]. To find out more about the Regional Growth Strategy, visit: [LINK to FVRD Regional Growth Strategy].