Organizers of the GLOW events are trying to bring them back to 91原创.

Last year, Darvonda Nurseries in Milner moved the events, which include light displays, food, and family events inside portions of the greenhouses, to Abbotsford.

That came after the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), the agency that regulates the use of the Agricultural Land Reserve in B.C., ruled the event was not a permitted farm use

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It said the nursery would have to apply for a non-farm use permit to hold the events in a portion of the existing Darvonda greenhouses property located at 6690 鈥� 216 Street.

Darvonda has now done exactly that, according to a report to 91原创 Township Council, which said the greenhouse is seeking approval from the ALC to hold two events, 鈥淕low Harvest,鈥� running from Sept. 27 to Nov. 3, and 鈥淕low Christmas,鈥� which would run from Nov. 22 to Jan. 5.

On Monday, June 30, the application won the backing of a majority on 91原创 Council, a preliminary step before the proposal is heard by the ALC.

Mayor Jack Froese was part of the majority of council who supported the application, while Coun. David Davis, a dairy farmer, was among the minority who opposed it.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a greenhouse, it should be growing food,鈥� Davis commented.

Coun. Blair Whitmarsh, who supported the application, said the greenhouse was a nursery not devoted to food production.

鈥淚 think it makes great sense both from agricultural and business [standpoints],鈥� Whitmarsh said.

A report to Township Council by planning technician Rob Nordrum said the proposed non-farm use application complies with the Township鈥檚 zoning bylaw and was 鈥渃onsistent with general provisions of the Township of 91原创 sustainability charter, Official Community Plan and Rural Plan.鈥�

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Now, it鈥檚 up to the ALC.

Kim Grout, chief executive officer of the ALC, said the tribunal aims to make decisions within 60 to 90 days of an application arriving.

鈥淪ometimes, an application is placed on hold because we need more information, or it isn鈥檛 complete,鈥� Grout advised.

Darvonda Nurseries CEO Lawrence Jansen told the 91原创 Advance Times the greenhouse had to apply 鈥渂ecause the ALC will not have a discussion with us about how it should be permitted like other pumpkin patches etc. without applying for a non-farm use permit.鈥�

鈥淲e believe it fits within the current guidelines of what we can do on a farm similar to Krause Berry Farms,鈥� Jansen said.

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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