Farmers around Vancouver's Agricultural Land Reserve have been building "mega-mansions" on their farmland. The province wants to limit the scale of such homes, but farmers are pushing back.
"In Metro Vancouver, where stress over property prices permeate every facet of life, even farmland is part of the increasingly contentious debate. The focus: 'mega mansions' built on arable land," reports Melanie Green.
More specifically: "The province tabled a bill two weeks ago outlining significant changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve — a collection of land spanning roughly 5 million hectares, dedicated in 1973 to the prioritization and protection of agriculture — to include a mandate capping the size of so-called 'monster homes.'"
The province hopes the legislation will ease the barrier for entry to the profession for farmers and protect the sustainability of the Agricultural Land Reserve. A coalition of opponents, representing 1,500 farmers and called the BC Farmland Owners Association (BCFOA), argues the legislation would have a negative impact on farming families.
The article includes more details about the political context for the legislation, and some of the controversies that preceded the current situation. Further debate on the bill is expected in committee this week.
FULL STORY: Farmers petition B.C. over plans to curb ‘mega mansions’ on agricultural land amid speculation debate
Conservation Easement Program Protects 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Land in New York State
A state famous for its largest city is making a concerted effort to protect agricultural lands as part of a larger national push.
The Forgotten Treasure in Western Land
Will the arid West’s farms and settlements thrive for another century? Better conservation policy should take a longer view.
A History of State-Mandated Upzonings in the Pacific Northwest
Past examples of state and provincial governments preempting the land use authority of local governments present several lessons on how to do state-mandated upzoning effectively.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions