Every tree gone on land up for exclusion from Agricultural Land Reserve

Frank Bucholtz photo
A stump is all that remains of a mature cedar tree that stood on property owned by Tara Ridge Estates.


This is a very brief post. Time is pressing and I simply don't have enough of it to study all aspects of this issue, which I just learned of yesterday.
A large grove of mature trees has been cleared from property owned by Tara Ridge Estates, adjacent to 76 Avenue in Willoughby. The northwest portion of this site (about eight hectares) is being proposed for exclusion from Agricultural Land Reserve, in order to allow for construction of the 212 Street connector and development of the remaining land. The connector is partially built and will connect Willoughby to the new 216 interchange on Highway 1.

The trees were cut some time ago, but it is clear there were many very mature ones on the site. No trees have been left standing. Given that the land is within the ALR, any tree preservation bylaws would not apply.
To the best of my knowledge, the land has never been farmed, given the size of the trees that were standing there until quite recently.

Anyone wishing to comment on this application to the Agricultural Land Commission must communicate in writing with the Township of Langley by Wednesday, July 5. Obviously, the only way to do so is to drop comments off at the Township hall.

Frank Bucholtz photo
This sign informs passers-by and neighbours that a portion of this property is up for exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve. There are two signs - one on Smith Crescent and one on 76 Avenue east of 208 Street.

Frank Bucholtz photo
The portion of land that is up for exclusion from the ALR has been completely deforested. Only stumps remain.



Comments

  1. Unknown12 June 2018 at 19:35

    thank you Frank. I have a number of photos of Tara Farms when it was forested and in the ALR. I read the ALC's decision and drafted a letter, and now is the time to send it. Langley , along with several other municipaliies, is not able to dictate certain criteria of the ALR. For example, in some places, a farmer must file an affadavit saying the land is being cleared for agricultural reasons. In Langley, this is not the case. My question is WHY?

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