Langley Township council promised to keep a group of residents near Campbell Valley Regional Park up to date on plans for a local poultry farm that wants to increase to seven times its current size.
The chicken farm, located near a pathway that gives access to the park in the 21200 block of 8 Avenue, is proposing to expand in size from fewer than 10,000 chickens to about 77,000 chickens, neighbours say.
Donna Morriss spoke for a group of residents who came to the Monday, Feb. 3 council meeting to raise their concerns.
"Is an operation this size appropriate in this location?" asked Morriss.
She noted that 8 Avenue is likely to get even busier with hikers, equestrians, and cyclists as a cross-Langley trail draws more people with the expansion of a new Metro Vancouver park to the east of the area.
The neighbours have concerns with the increase in traffic down the narrow rural road, as well as with odours, dust, rodents, avian flu, and possible impacts on local well water supplies, as well as property values for nearby homes.
“We want this council to know that we are fearful of this permit expansion," Morriss said.
The council unanimously approved a motion by Mayor Eric Woodward to have staff create a report on the situation.
Woodward and councillors noted that the council does not always have jurisdiction to approve or deny building permits for some types of structures.
For example, in areas already zoned for farmland, a building permit is typically approved by municipal staff, without council ever seeing it.
Woodward said they would determine if it was appropriate for council to weigh in on a building permit for the site.
The residents are working on a petition regarding the site, and asked to be kept informed of what is happening with the proposed increase in the size of the farm.