As a tenant of Chemainus River Campground and R.V. Park, I was bewildered by the Agricultural Land Commission’s recent decision to deny the application to remove the park from the ALR.
Instead, the ALC has decided to revert the land back to its original state once the property is sold. The park is owned by John and Jeri Wyatt. Sadly, John recently passed away and Jeri, nearly 80, would probably like to retire at some point.
The Cowichan Valley has one of the highest rates of unhoused people on Vancouver Island. Homelessness in our region increased by 73 per cent between 2020 and 2023. The provincial government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars trying to effectively create affordable housing. Meanwhile, the Chemainus River Campground and R.V. Park is already providing some sites for affordable R.V. parking – mostly to seniors – in addition to temporary sites for tourists in the summer months.
The park has been operating for over 20 years and has never negatively impacted its neighbours. A nearby property currently operates as an R.V. park; it was originally in the ALR but was removed years ago. Close by a new modular home park has been approved and is under construction.
According to studies by various qualified professionals, the campground has limited potential for agricultural capability and, because of the ongoing drought, there is an inadequate water supply for farming. Speaking of farmland, the new hospital and RCMP building are being built on some of the best farmland in the Cowichan Valley.
For the last six years, awaiting a decision from the Agricultural Land Commission has been a stressful, expensive and cruel process for the owners of the park and all of us who live here.
Whatever happened to common sense?
Lorna Erickson,
Cowichan Valley