Application Process
Application Process
Applications generally follow the same process:
- Applicant: creates the application in the ALC Portal and when they submit it, it goes to the local government/First Nation Government.
- Local Government/First Nation Government: reviews the application and decides whether to forward it to the ALC or not.
- ALC: If it is forwarded, the ALC then receives the application from the local government and makes a decision.
Read about the specifics of each application type below.
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Primary Contact Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the online ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application to your local government through the ALC Portal
- Contact your local government to determine the appropriate form of payment
- Include the ALC Application ID on all payments and subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
The application fee is $900, of which $450 goes to the local government and $450 goes to the ALC. Applicants pay the local government their portion of the fee at this time ($450).
Should the local government choose to forward this application to the ALC, applicants/agents will be auto-notified to pay the remainder of the fee directly to the ALC ($450).
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION
The local government receives the application via the ALC Portal and completes the following:
- Ensures that the appropriate fee has been paid
- Ensures the application information is sufficient for local government staff and the Board or Council to review and make informed recommendations
- Refers the application to its Board or Council for recommendations and comments
- Refers the application to various committees when necessary (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Advisory Planning Commission (APC))
- Completes a local government report and uploads it through the ALC Portal
- Holds a public information meeting when necessary
- If the land is zoned for agriculture or farm use, or if the proposal requires a bylaw amendment, the Board or Council decides whether to authorize the application to proceed to the ALC. If authorization is not granted, the application process ends and the local government returns a portion of the application fee to the applicant.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application upon receipt of the ALC portion of the application fee
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Primary Contact Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the online ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application to your local government through the ALC Portal
- Contact your local government to determine the appropriate form of payment
- Include the ALC Application ID on all payments and subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
The application fee is $1,500, of which $750 goes to the local government and $750 goes to the ALC. Applicants pay the local government their portion of the fee at this time ($750).
Should the local government choose to forward this application to the ALC, applicants/agents will be auto-notified to pay the remainder of the fee directly to the ALC ($750).
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION
The local government receives the application via the ALC Portal and completes the following:
- Ensures that the appropriate fee has been paid
- Ensures the application information is sufficient for local government staff and the Board or Council to review and make informed recommendations
- Refers the application to its Board or Council for recommendations and comments
- Refers the application to various committees when necessary (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Advisory Planning Commission (APC))
- Completes a local government report and uploads it through the ALC Portal
- Holds a public information meeting when necessary
- If the land is zoned for agriculture or farm use, or if the proposal requires a bylaw amendment, the Board or Council decides whether to authorize the application to proceed to the ALC. If authorization is not granted, the application process ends and the local government returns a portion of the application fee to the applicant.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application upon receipt of the ALC portion of the application fee
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Primary Contact Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the online ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application to your local government through the ALC Portal
- Contact your local government to determine the appropriate form of payment
- Include the ALC Application ID on all payments and subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
The application fee is $1,500, of which $750 goes to the local government and $750 goes to the ALC. Applicants pay the local government their portion of the fee at this time ($750).
Should the local government choose to forward this application to the ALC, applicants/agents will be auto-notified to pay the remainder of the fee directly to the ALC ($750).
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION
The local government receives the application via the ALC Portal and completes the following:
- Ensures that the appropriate fee has been paid
- Ensures the application information is sufficient for local government staff and the Board or Council to review and make informed recommendations
- Refers the application to its Board or Council for recommendations and comments
- Refers the application to various committees when necessary (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Advisory Planning Commission (APC))
- Completes a local government report and uploads it through the ALC Portal
- Holds a public information meeting when necessary
- If the land is zoned for agriculture or farm use, or if the proposal requires a bylaw amendment, the Board or Council decides whether to authorize the application to proceed to the ALC. If authorization is not granted, the application process ends and the local government returns a portion of the application fee to the applicant.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application upon receipt of the ALC portion of the application fee
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Primary Contact Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
ADDITIONAL SOIL USE DOCUMENTS
- Detailed Building Plan(s) – must be submitted if the proposal requires placing fill or removing soil for building a structure.
Building plans must be the most up to date, current version and include:- the total floor area of all levels (including attic) and their intended use;
- interior floor plan and exterior views with measurements.
- Cross Sections – must be submitted if the proposal is for area-wide filling, aggregate extraction, or placer mining.
Cross sections should include North-South and East-West cross sections and show existing conditions, interim and final grades, and slope gradient (%) along the east-west transect and the north-south transect. Cross-sections must be drawn at an appropriate scale and prepared by a Professional Engineer or Registered BC Land Surveyor. - Reclamation Plan – must be submitted if the proposal is for area-wide filling, aggregate extraction, or placer mining.
The Reclamation Plan should be completed by a qualified Professional Agrologist and contain the area’s agricultural capability assessment.
For more detailed information about what is required in technical reports, please review the Criteria for Technical Reports.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application to your local government through the ALC Portal
- Contact your local government to determine the appropriate form of payment
- Include the ALC Application ID on all payments and subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
- The application fee is $1,500, of which $750 goes to the local government and $750 goes to the ALC. Applicants pay the local government their portion of the fee at this time ($750).
Should the local government choose to forward this application to the ALC, applicants/agents will be auto-notified to pay the remainder of the fee directly to the ALC ($750*).
*Note: If a Soil or Fill Use applicant previously submitted an NOI, the $150 NOI fee is deducted from the ALC portion ($750 to $600).
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION
The local government receives the application via the ALC Portal and completes the following:
- Ensures that the appropriate fee has been paid
- Ensures the application information is sufficient for local government staff and the Board or Council to review and make informed recommendations
- Refers the application to its Board or Council for recommendations and comments
- Refers the application to various committees when necessary (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Advisory Planning Commission (APC))
- Completes a local government report and uploads it through the ALC Portal
- Holds a public information meeting when necessary
- If the land is zoned for agriculture or farm use, or if the proposal requires a bylaw amendment, the Board or Council decides whether to authorize the application to proceed to the ALC. If authorization is not granted, the application process ends and the local government returns a portion of the application fee to the applicant.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application upon receipt of the ALC portion of the application fee
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
Transportation and utility use applications should be applied for when proposing one of the following uses on ALR land under Section 22 of the Agricultural Land Reserve General Regulation:
- construction for the purpose of widening an existing road right of way;
- construction of a road within an existing right of way;
- construction of any of the following:
- a road, railway or recreational trail;
- a utility corridor use;
- a sewer or water line other than for ancillary utility connections;
- a forest service road under the Forest Act;
- the new use of an existing right of way for a recreational trail;
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Agent Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY USE DOCUMENTS
1. Advisory for Landowners in the ALR Brochure
You must serve a copy of the brochure “Advisory for Landowners in the ALR” to all registered owners of land in the ALR that are affected. It is the registered owner of the property that must be served the notice and this may not necessarily be the occupant.
Advisory for Landowners in the ALR Brochure
2. Transportation and Utility Use Proof of Serving Notice
Once you have served the Advisory for Landowners in the ALR brochure, you must record the landowners you served the brochure to on the Serving Notice template.
Upload the completed Serving Notice Template to your application in the online ALC Portal.
Transportation and Utility Use Proof of Serving Notice Template (fillable PDF)
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application directly to the ALC through the ALC Portal
- Include the ALC Application ID on all payments and subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
- The application fee is $1,500. Payable to the Minister of Finance c/o the ALC.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application upon receipt of the ALC portion of the application fee
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government.
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
PLAN YOUR APPLICATION
- Identify the type of application required for your proposal
- Collect appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Title, Agent Authorization, Sketch Plan)
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their local government (e.g., Municipality, Regional District, or Islands Trust) to:
- Identify local government zoning and policies on agricultural land preservation and other regulations relevant to the proposal
- Inquire if other approvals may be also be required (e.g. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, etc.)
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
- Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the ALC Portal
- Login to the ALC Portal and select the appropriate application type
- Complete the online application
- Upload required and supporting documents
ADDITIONAL INCLUSION REQUIREMENTS – LOCAL GOVERNMENT INITIATED APPLICATION ONLY
In addition to the general documents required for an application, inclusion applications initiated by a local government or First Nation government under s.17(1) of the ALC Act have additional requirements as per s.14 of the Agricultural Land Reserve General Regulation.
- Posting notice of application, on a sign, on the land to which the application relates
- Proof of notice of the Public Hearing
- A Report of the the Public Hearing
- Sending a copy of the application to an adjacent local government or treaty first nation government if the land to which the application relates is located adjacent to a different local or treaty first nation government.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Submit the application to your local government through the ALC Portal
- Include the ALC Application ID on all subsequent correspondence regarding the application
PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
- There is no application fee for an inclusion application.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION
The local government receives the application via the ALC Portal and completes the following:
- Ensures the application information is sufficient for local government staff and the Board or Council to review and make informed recommendations
- Refers the application to its Board or Council for recommendations and comments
- Refers the application to various committees when necessary (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Advisory Planning Commission (APC))
- Completes a local government report and uploads it through the ALC Portal
- Holds a public information meeting when necessary
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES, REVIEWS AND MAKES A DECISION ON THE APPLICATION
The ALC receives the application via the ALC Portal and:
- Acknowledges the application
- Decides on the application and advises the applicant in writing of the decision. A copy is sent to the local government
At the discretion of the Commission, it may:
- Hold a meeting with the applicant
- View the application property
- Refer the application to various agencies for comments and recommendations
The Commission’s decision may take several forms. The ALC may:
- Approve the proposal as submitted
- Approve the proposal with conditions
- Refuse the proposal
- Refuse the proposal but allow an alternate proposal
Note: It is the policy of the ALC to communicate Reasons for Decision in writing. ALC staff cannot discuss a decision with the applicant, local government, or with the public prior to its release. The applicant and local government will be notified of the finalized decision through the online ALC Portal and an email notification.
Exclusion applications may only be submitted by the Province, local governments, First Nation governments, and other prescribed bodies who own the land under application pursuant to s. 29(1)(a) of the ALC Act. However local governments and First Nation governments may also make exclusion applications for land they do not own within their jurisdiction pursuant to s. 29(1)(b) and (c) of the ALC Act.
To learn more about the process of submitting a local or First Nation government-initiated application or a prescribed body initiated application, please refer to the ALC’s Exclusion Application Guide.
ALC Application Streams
When an application arrives at the ALC, there are three application streams that the application may take depending on the type of application: Commission Panel, Executive Committee, or Chief Executive Officer Delegation.
The application stream is determined at the beginning of the application process with referral of the application by the ALC Chair to the appropriate stream. In certain circumstances, an application may also change streams during its review process. The stream in which an application follows is determined by the Agricultural Land Commission Act and specific delegation agreements. Applicants and local governments cannot request a specific stream.
Section 11 of the Agricultural Land Commission Act allows the Chair of the Commission to establish panels for decision making. There are six regional decision making panels: the Interior, Island, Kootenay, North, Okanagan, and South Coast; and a Soil and Fill Use, and Filming panel.
Each panel is comprised of a minimum of two members which carry out certain duties of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and represents the ALC in different areas of British Columbia. Panel members provide regional knowledge and experience to consideration of applications.
A panel has all the powers, duties and functions of the ALC in relation to an application or other matters referred to it, and a decision of a panel is for all purposes a decision of the ALC.
The chair has the authority to appoint Vice Chairs to serve on the Executive Committee. Although most applications are considered by the regional panels, the Executive Committee considers:
- applications that may be of provincial importance;
- applications that raise an issue that is novel or is otherwise of general importance for the administration of the ALC Act; and,
- applications that may substantially affect more than one panel region.
The Executive Committee has all the powers, duties and functions of the ALC in relation to an application referred to it under this section, and a decision of the Executive Committee is a decision of the Commission.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is accountable for the exercise of powers assigned under the Agricultural Land Commission Act (the “ALC Act“) and other duties as assigned by the ALC. Section 27 of the Agricultural Land Commission Act states that the ALC, by resolution, may establish criteria under which the following the CEO may approve applications for exclusion, subdivision or non-farm use and applications with respect to specified regions of British Columbia. If the CEO considers that the application does not meet the criteria specified, or for any other reason does not wish to approve the application, the application must be referred by the Chair to the applicable regional panel for a decision.
An approval of an application by the CEO is a decision of the ALC for the purposes of the ALC Act.
Other Approving Authorities in the ALR
The ALC Act empowers the ALC to delegate certain decision making to an “authority” – which is defined as “an agent of government, a public body or public officer” with whom the ALC has an agreement. By this means, the ALC may, by agreement, transfer certain of its powers and authority to another agency. Section 26 (5) of the Agricultural Land Commission Act stipulates that once a delegation agreement has been struck, any decision taken by the delegated authority is treated with the same force and effect as a decision of the ALC.
The goal, in these situations, is to take advantage of an external agency’s capacity to help reduce duplication of application requirements and to streamline processing while still ensuring that ALR lands are preserved and protected.
For details on current delegation agreement, refer to the Working with Ministries and other Agencies section.
Section 21 of the Agricultural Land Commission Act provides that a person must not subdivide agricultural land unless permitted by the Agricultural Land Commission Act, the Regulation or an order of the Commission. However, Section 3 of the Agricultural Land Reserve General Regulation prescribes criteria for specific types of subdivisions that can be permitted by an approving officer, including boundary line adjustment subdivisions provided that they meet certain criteria.
Subdivisions Near Agriculture: A Guide for Approving Officers – ALC and Ministry of Agriculture
Application Process Timelines
On March 3, 2016, by Ministerial Order M072, the Minister of Agriculture provided the ALC with expectations regarding the timelines associated with processing applications for a one year period pursuant to the Agricultural Land Commission Act.
While this Ministerial Order no longer has force and effect, as an agency the ALC has adopted its own performance targets as mandated by the Administrative Tribunals Act that are reflective of the Ministerial Order.
Below is a summary of the ALC’s processing timeline targets:
- The ALC will strive to acknowledge applications as complete and incomplete within 5 business days of receipt.
- The ALC will strive to communicate most of its decisions in writing (electronic or mail), within 60 business days of an application being received and the majority of its decisions in 90 business days. Please be advised that the 60 and 90 business day application process timeline may not be consecutive given the specifics of an application; the ALC may “pause” the business day timelines should any of the following be required:
- A meeting with the applicant
- A site visit
- A request for additional information (from the applicant, local government or any other person considered appropriate)
- An applicant may also ask the ALC to pause the processing of an application at any time.
- These business day timelines are specific to the Commission’s component of the application process; it does not include time associated with the local government component of the application process.
Application Process
Applications submitted through the ALC Portal are automatically directed through the appropriate process depending on the type of application being submitted.
Application Status
Throughout the application process, applicants will be notified in the ALC Portal as the application reaches specific milestones.
An application remains “in progress” until it is completed and submitted by the applicant or agent. An application can remain “in progress” indefinitely; however, an application will be automatically deleted after six months of inactivity.
An application remains as “submitted to local government” until the local government views the application.
If an application is sent to the incorrect local government, the application will be returned to the applicant to re-submit to the correct local government.
If a local government believes that the application is incomplete, or requires more information, the application can be returned to the applicant for editing.
After a local government views and accepts an application, the review period will commence. The review period and processing time may vary between local governments.
Local government has the discretion to forward or not forward applications to the ALC pursuant to s. 25(3) and s. 30(4) of the Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALC Act). If the local government exercises its authority and does not authorize the application, the application proceeds no further and will not be considered by the ALC. If an application is not forwarded to the ALC, the local government returns the ALC portion of the application fee to the applicant.
If a local government forwards an application to the ALC, or if the application is sent directly to the ALC (Transportation, Utility and Recreational Trail Use applications and Notices of Intent only), the ALC process commences. The following is a list of possible steps:
- Acknowledgement of receipt of application and fee
- Creation of ALR context, agricultural capability, and orthophoto maps
- GIS spatial verification of application location
- Research previous or relevant application history
- Request additional information
- ALC Panel review of all application information provided by the Applicant and Local Government (if applicable)
- Conduct a site visit (at the ALC’s discretion)
- Conduct an exclusion meeting
- Conduct an applicant meeting (at the ALC’s discretion)
- Drafting and finalizing a decision
The length of processing time for each application varies depending on the type of application, statutory requirements within the ALC Act, information provided, necessity for site visit or applicant meetings, etc.
Once ALC Commissioners who are tasked with making a decision review the information provided in the application, they typically meet as a group to discuss the application. As a result of the discussion the Commissioners may do one of the following:
- Request further information from the applicant or local government
- Request a site visit on the application property
- Request a meeting with the applicant
- Direct staff to draft a decision
Once a decision is drafted, it is reviewed by all ALC Commissioners who considered the application. When the ALC Commissioners are satisfied that the draft decision accurately reflects their consideration, they will authorize the decision to be released to the applicant and copied to the local government. Decisions are posted publicly on the ALC website 2 days after the application is released to the applicant.
It is the policy of the Agricultural Land Commission that its decisions be conveyed to applicants in writing in order to avoid any misinterpretation or misunderstanding. In many instances, decisions are complex and contain extensive rationale and stipulations. By receiving the decision in writing and not verbally, there will be no question as to the content and meaning of the Commission’s ruling.
Once an application is submitted, an applicant can cancel the application by contacting the local government or ALC depending on what stage the application is at.