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Summerland’s farm land will be needed

I read with dismay the suggestions for the growth plan which included the removal of 87 hectares of Agricultural Land Reserve land.

Dear Editor:

I read with dismay the suggestions for the growth plan which included the removal of 87 hectares of Agricultural Land Reserve land.

That is over 200 acres — a very large amount of good, arable land — one of our primary resources which, once gone, would be lost for the future needs.

I predict such irreplaceable land will become much more valuable in the future to satisfy a “growing” demand.

Surely there is no need to rush the growth plan as there are a number of serviced lots awaiting builders now — six steps from my own home. Granted they are not close to town, but they are as close as many others in all directions from downtown. Why not instead look at some of the streets near town which comprise older, small homes on fair sized lots?

Take a “right of first refusal” on several in a row, then purchase the land ready for a developer. A variety of buildings for multiple occupancy on serviced lots would be ready to go. This idea worked well in Lowertown, near Kin Park.

Some ALR owners are unhappy at the restrictions on their land as they are unable or unwilling to use it for agriculture. But the land itself is of prime importance for inevitable future farming.

I trust the growth plan will be more sensible and sensitive regarding ALR function.

Sheila White

Summerland