It used to simply be against the rules in Saanich to sell produce, jams — even lemonade — out front of homes within the district's urban containment boundary.
Katherine Little found this out the hard way when bylaw officers showed up at her home on Queensbury Avenue back in 2019 after a neighbour had complained about a small roadside jam stand she had been operating for about a year. Bylaw told her she must close up shop.
This wasn't the end of the story for Little — she decided to go out and try to change the rules.
On Monday, June 24, Saanich council finally put the finishing touches on a long path to altering those bylaws. Since that first visit from bylaw officers, Little teamed up with Colleen O'Farrell of Foxglove Flowers to convince district councillors to change the rules.
They convinced councillors to allow roadside stands inside the district's urban containment boundary with temporary use permit from council. But this is a lot of work for both the stand-owner, and for councillors.
With the new changes, all that will be required is a free business license.
"I would have never realized changing municipal bylaw would have taken six years," Little said on Wednesday, adding that she is "thrilled" to finally see the change.
Small pocket farm markets will now also allowed in the district, but only in certain 'public' zones such as churches, community centres, schools and Saanich Municipal Hall's grounds. To hold one of these, a $50 business license fee will need to be paid. A park permit and special event permit is required in some cases.
Larger temporary farm markets also used to need a temporary use permit, but this will no longer be required. These will automatically be allowed in public parks, recreation centres and the municipal hall, provided the operator will obtains a $50 business license, park permit and in some cases a special event permit.
“These changes will support local food producers, bring neighbours together and enhance community vibrancy,” Coun. Nathalie Chambers, who is a farmer herself, said through a district press release. “It’s a ‘win-win-win’ for local farmers, for local consumers, and for Saanich’s food security moving forward.”
Since her initial visit from bylaw, Little's business has grown well beyond just a roadside stand, and she is about to get her jam onto shelves in a 10th grocery store.
But the Little Stand outside her house goes on, even though some neighbours still haven't gotten over it.
Throughout the six-year fight, Little has had bylaw called on her at least eight times, and had visits from vandals.
"This stand is very solid, it takes four people to move it," she said. "And one day we came out and it had been tossed over."
The neighbour who she presumes is the culprit is still harassing her, and she at times she debates whether to call the police.
"He confronted me and yelled at me two-three weeks ago saying 'I'm gonna get you out of here, I want you gone,'" she said.
But at this point, there is not much the angry neighbour can do about the Little roadside jam stand.
