Request: Urban Agriculture Committee

Council has placed themselves and the residents of Lantzville on a very tight timeline to deal with the issue of urban agriculture.  Since neither council nor staff have the required expertise in this area, and we want a "made in Lantzville solution", as council had initially proposed, I recommend we ask council to delay pushing through this bylaw until concerns of all parties can be adequately addressed. 

I would like to see a bylaw that encourages urban agriculture, while addressing the legitimate concerns of residents regarding water quality, air quality and noise.  I suggest we request council form an "urban agriculture committee", involving one or two interested council members, residents, and perhaps employing outside expertise as a resource in areas of concern.  If we are going to restrict the amount of land on a parcel that can be devoted to agriculture, I would like a valid basis for that restriction, rather than pulling a number out of a hat.  Why 20%, as opposed to 80%?  We may need the services of a hydrologist to determine the impact of agricultural operations, as opposed to normal lawn maintenance activities, on water quality.  We need time to research what impact urban agriculture has had on air quality and noise, and determine steps to be taken to mitigate any negative impacts. 

A complete ban on pesticides, without defining pesticides, is an issue of grave concern.  Insect and disease are a fact of life in any garden, either ornamental or food, and are best dealt with immediately, when limited use of low toxicity products is still effective.  I would like a clear definition of pesticide, as I would hate to see dormant oil spray for prevention of disease and insects on fruit trees (non-toxic and used as a preventative measure), Bacillus thuringiensis (biological insecticide that is harmful to insects but not humans or pets) or insecticidal soap (clogs breathing holes of insects, but completely harmless to humans and pets) classed as pesticides and therefore banned.  I recommend following Certified Organic Association of BC (COABC) standards which are based on extensive research into product safety and best management practices.  To view their standards, please go to their website at http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/standards/index.php  There is a permitted substances list and a guideline of general principles and management standards. 

This can't be done in two weeks.   While residents have been anxious for council to begin the process, and I am thankful that now appears to be happening, I don't think anyone wants to rush through to a final solution, without considering the unique characteristics of Lantzville.  We are not Parksville, Nanaimo, or Victoria, and we can't just take their bylaws for our own.   We have a variety of lot sizes, we are on municipal wells, and one of the things about Lantzville that is appealing to many residents is the semi-rural atmosphere, which could include an agricultural component.  I have heard from many residents that they don't want Lantzville to be either an extension of North Nanaimo or turn into Parksville.  If that is the case, why would we borrow bylaws from these areas?  Let's develop our own, designed to maintain and enhance our unique community.

Louise Negrave