Neighbours are hoping that they can shut down a facility that they say causes odours and noise, but which the Agricultural Land Commission said is providing an "essential service" to farmers.
A public hearing on Monday, June 24, was held on whether to amend the Rural Floodplain Zone – in which West Creek Farms sits – to allow four hectares of the property to be used on a site-specific basis for processing and distributing growing media.
The site has been used for producing various kinds of soils and growing media since the 1980s.
According to the company's website, they produce custom nursery and greenhouse mixes, soils for landscaping and gardening, organic mixes, mulches, and potting soil.
The Agricultural Land Commission has already approved ongoing operations, leaving Langley Township as the last hurdle.
"The [ALC] Panel is encouraged that West Creek Farms supports the greenhouse, horticulture, and nursery sector with its products (growing media) across the province," the ALC decision on West Creek's application reads.
"The Panel finds that the processing facility provides an essential service to agriculture, and therefore supports the purposes of the ALR by providing materials to the greenhouse, horticulture, and nursery industries."
Township councillors heard from several West Creek neighbours at the public hearing, who cited various concerns of noise, dust, and odours.
Coun. Misty vanPopta was in favour of the amendment because the farm had been at its current location for more than 30 years and has been in compliance since it opened, she said.
"I think its in poor form for us to look at this unique situation and not approve additional conditions to make sure that they comply with the new classification," she said.
But other councillors Michael Pratt and Tim Ballie shared the concern of ensuring an "equal playing field" for all affected parties.
The motion of the amendment at the third reading failed after the public hearing, and while that leaves neighbours pleased, they are also wondering when the next steps will take place and what that process looks like.
"The community is thankful... but what's the next step? They're not allowed to be doing what they're doing there, so close them down. And we haven't really heard what the Township is going to do there," commented a neighbour of West Creek who wants to remain anonymous.
Issues over odours and noises have arisen several times over the ALR's history in Langley. Complaints about mushroom manure processors in the late 1990s eventually led to Metro Vancouver stepping in, as it has authority over air quality.
South Aldergrove would later see a battle between residents and a greenhouse that was growing commercial cannabis.
