To: North Saanich Mayor and Council
Save Sandown for Agriculture!
I, a North Saanich resident and/or owner, urge the District of North Saanich council, to pass the Sandown proposal that is presently before council. I urge the mayor and council to support the key terms of the proposal, namely:
1. Gift of 83 acres of Sandown lands to the District;
2. Retention by the owner and rezoning of 12 acres for commercial development;
3. Inclusion of 12 acres of adjacent municipal land with the 83 acres in the ALR to compensate for removal of 12 acres for commercial use.
Further, I understand that all necessary land improvement costs will be financed from new tax revenue, generated from the 12-acre commercial component.
I urge the District of North Saanich council to move forward and approve this thoughtful, sustainable proposal immediately to ensure that agriculture in perpetuity remains the primary purpose of the Sandown lands.
1. Gift of 83 acres of Sandown lands to the District;
2. Retention by the owner and rezoning of 12 acres for commercial development;
3. Inclusion of 12 acres of adjacent municipal land with the 83 acres in the ALR to compensate for removal of 12 acres for commercial use.
Further, I understand that all necessary land improvement costs will be financed from new tax revenue, generated from the 12-acre commercial component.
I urge the District of North Saanich council to move forward and approve this thoughtful, sustainable proposal immediately to ensure that agriculture in perpetuity remains the primary purpose of the Sandown lands.
Why is this important?
Dear North Saanich Resident and/or Owner,
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure 83 acres of land for agriculture, in perpetuity, for North Saanich residents is before North Saanich council right now. However, it is being met with resistance from some council members.
The current owners of Sandown Racetrack have offered to give the District of North Saanich 83 acres of agricultural land in exchange for retaining 12 acres for commercial development. To compensate for those 12 acres coming out of the ALR, the District of NS has twelve acres of land it will put into the ALR, so that there is no net change of land in the ALR. This proposal has the support of the Agricultural Land Commission, and the CRD under the Regional Growth Strategy.
It is a tremendous opportunity for present and future North Saanich residents.
To make this proposal a reality for the benefit of all North Saanich residents we need your support. Signing this petition will help make this happen.
We will benefit by:
a) A significant increase to our tax base in perpetuity (estimated at a minimum of $350,000 per year of new tax revenue from just the commercial portion, a total of $371,000 when added to present lease income);
b) 83 acres of farmland as a community asset for the benefit of present and future residents. While the final uses of the land have not been determined yet, it could be used for leasing to farmers, community allotment gardens, teaching school children how to grow food, a permanent farmer’s market, agricultural education – and lots more;
c) Economic spin off and potential revenues from development of the lands, both commercial and agricultural;
d) Additional local jobs from the commercial development;
e) Enhanced food security.
If this proposal is rejected, the owner advises he will sell the land, as 8 estate lots, which would result in annual taxes totaling no more than $18,000.
Full details of the proposal are available at the district website:
http://www.northsaanich.ca/Municipal_Hall/District_Projects/Sandown_Racetrack_Proposal.htm
Critics have voiced the following concerns:
Myth #1: The municipality will “become farmers”. Fact: That has never been the intention. Once the municipality has acquired the land there will be further consultation with the community to consider possible options for third party leasing and/or management agreement.
Myth #2: The farming will be subsidized by the District, thereby competing with existing farmers. Fact: Since any farmers using the land would pay fair lease rates, this is not a concern.
Myth #3: There will be an increase in our taxes. Fact: This point is simply false as new taxes and revenues from the Sandown lands will cover all costs to meet ALC conditions. This proposal is self-sustaining using tax revenue and lease income that will not materialize if the proposal is not approved. And once the reclamation is complete, all tax revenue will continue to the benefit of the Municipality in perpetuity.
Myth #4: There will be significant start-up costs that will need to be “front-ended” by the taxpayers. Fact: Again not true as any early stage costs will be paid from lease revenue and contributions from the present owner.
Please sign the attached petition, and forward it to any other adults who live in your household, as well as any other North Saanich residents or owners you think will be interested. This is too good an opportunity to let pass us by, and it will be lost to us if we don’t act. Please sign now.
Thank you,
The Friends of Sandown Community Farm
Email: [email protected]
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure 83 acres of land for agriculture, in perpetuity, for North Saanich residents is before North Saanich council right now. However, it is being met with resistance from some council members.
The current owners of Sandown Racetrack have offered to give the District of North Saanich 83 acres of agricultural land in exchange for retaining 12 acres for commercial development. To compensate for those 12 acres coming out of the ALR, the District of NS has twelve acres of land it will put into the ALR, so that there is no net change of land in the ALR. This proposal has the support of the Agricultural Land Commission, and the CRD under the Regional Growth Strategy.
It is a tremendous opportunity for present and future North Saanich residents.
To make this proposal a reality for the benefit of all North Saanich residents we need your support. Signing this petition will help make this happen.
We will benefit by:
a) A significant increase to our tax base in perpetuity (estimated at a minimum of $350,000 per year of new tax revenue from just the commercial portion, a total of $371,000 when added to present lease income);
b) 83 acres of farmland as a community asset for the benefit of present and future residents. While the final uses of the land have not been determined yet, it could be used for leasing to farmers, community allotment gardens, teaching school children how to grow food, a permanent farmer’s market, agricultural education – and lots more;
c) Economic spin off and potential revenues from development of the lands, both commercial and agricultural;
d) Additional local jobs from the commercial development;
e) Enhanced food security.
If this proposal is rejected, the owner advises he will sell the land, as 8 estate lots, which would result in annual taxes totaling no more than $18,000.
Full details of the proposal are available at the district website:
http://www.northsaanich.ca/Municipal_Hall/District_Projects/Sandown_Racetrack_Proposal.htm
Critics have voiced the following concerns:
Myth #1: The municipality will “become farmers”. Fact: That has never been the intention. Once the municipality has acquired the land there will be further consultation with the community to consider possible options for third party leasing and/or management agreement.
Myth #2: The farming will be subsidized by the District, thereby competing with existing farmers. Fact: Since any farmers using the land would pay fair lease rates, this is not a concern.
Myth #3: There will be an increase in our taxes. Fact: This point is simply false as new taxes and revenues from the Sandown lands will cover all costs to meet ALC conditions. This proposal is self-sustaining using tax revenue and lease income that will not materialize if the proposal is not approved. And once the reclamation is complete, all tax revenue will continue to the benefit of the Municipality in perpetuity.
Myth #4: There will be significant start-up costs that will need to be “front-ended” by the taxpayers. Fact: Again not true as any early stage costs will be paid from lease revenue and contributions from the present owner.
Please sign the attached petition, and forward it to any other adults who live in your household, as well as any other North Saanich residents or owners you think will be interested. This is too good an opportunity to let pass us by, and it will be lost to us if we don’t act. Please sign now.
Thank you,
The Friends of Sandown Community Farm
Email: [email protected]