Community Support Requested for S & L Acres – Development Variance Application to FVRD

Dear friends, neighbours, and community members,

We are reaching out to ask for your support regarding a Development Variance Application we have submitted to the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).

For those who may not know us, we are Lee and Shar, owners of S & L Acres in Lake Errock, BC. After searching for over 10 years, we found our dream property—5 acres where we could build a small organic hobby farm, raise animals responsibly, and create a home for our family, including our chickens, goats, dogs and cat.

Over the past 8 years, we have worked hard and become active, contributing members of our community. We are proud members of the Deroche Farmers Market, where Lee also serves on the board. Through S & L Acres, we grow and sell organic vegetables, garlic, plants, and trees, along with our well-loved pickled products. We  produce goat milk kefir soaps, heritage chicken coloured organic eggs, and raise poultry and registered Nubian show dairy goats—all rooted in our passion for sustainable farming and animal care.

When we first moved to the property, we made every effort to be respectful of our neighbours. Before building our chicken coop, we consulted with the property developer, discussed our plan, and obtained permission to construct  the coop as far away from a future residence on an adjacent property as possible to minimize any potential impact. Our hens have safely lived there for the past 7 years.

In 2020, prior to building our goat house, we again consulted with our closest neighbour and received approval. The structure was placed on the only suitable flat area of our land—directly behind our home—to reduce visibility and impact, as much of our property is steep mountainside. This building provides the goats with a safe night time shelter, out of harms way from the resident bears and cougar.

We take great pride in maintaining clean, well-managed structures. Our animals are cared for to a high standard, and all manure and compost are responsibly handled and reused as part of our organic farming practices.

Unfortunately, due to a recent dispute, a complaint has been filed regarding the placement of these structures within setback boundaries. While we were aware of these boundaries, we proceeded only after receiving prior neighbour approval. We are now required to apply for a Development Variance Permit to allow these long-standing structures to remain.

If this application is not approved, the alternatives would be significantly more disruptive:

• A new chicken coop would need to be built further up the mountain, where it could have greater visual and environmental impact.
• Our goats would lose their established shelter of the past 6 years, resulting in stress to the animals and increased noise, which would affect both us and surrounding neighbours.

We are simply asking to continue operating as we have responsibly and respectfully for years. That's where you, our community and friends can assist!

If you believe in supporting local agriculture, small family farms, and reasonable solutions that consider both people and animals, we would greatly appreciate your support- Please sign our Petition! It will be submitted to FVRD for consideration in the next two weeks.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for being part of our community.

— Lee & Shar
S & L Acres, Lake Errock, BC