Central Saanich is considering rezoning a large area of the Keating extraction lands to light industrial.

I don't think we need to rush this decision.

We already know that one of the challenges facing local agriculture is access to food-processing infrastructure. Central Saanich commissioned a Food Hub Feasibility Study that identified the need for more meat-processing and abattoir capacity in our region. (p. 31)

Facilities like these need appropriate land. Industrial land is expensive.

That raises a pretty basic question for me.

Why would we rezone this large area first, and only afterwards try to find affordable industrial land for a food hub?

Once the land is rezoned, a community food hub could find itself competing for land with much larger commercial and industrial interests. How many bake sales would it take for a publicly supported food hub to buy several acres of newly rezoned industrial land?

We have an opportunity now, before rezoning, to explore whether land could be secured for food processing or other community purposes as part of discussions with landowners.

I'm not opposed to light industrial uses here. In fact, our Official Community Plan has contemplated the eventual transition of these extraction lands toward light industrial use for years.

But this is a large area with enormous potential. The current Council does not have to settle every question about its future in its final meetings.

Before we rezone, let's find out what we can secure for the community.

Once the rezoning is complete, that opportunity may be much harder, and much more expensive, to recover.

Read the Central Saanich Food Hub Feasibility Study – Final Report (2022).