Two key pieces of farmland adjacent to the Chilliwack Urban Core could be the key to meeting housing targets.
Much like the What Would It Take to Meet the Mandate? Let’s Build Chilliwack… Vertically! scenario, this is a thought experiment—but instead of looking up, we’re looking in. Specifically, we’re exploring what it would take to meet Chilliwack’s growing housing needs with infill by pulling land out of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) that’s still closely connected to our urban core. This is not about sprawling into rural areas, but rather identifying strategic parcels of land that could unlock sustainable growth while staying true to Chilliwack’s identity.
To understand the potential, we first need to set the stage: where we’re at, why we’re here, and what options are available moving forward.
There’s simply no space left in Chilliwack to do anything at a meaningful scale. It could take decades for an organic turnover in density across different parts of the city—and even then, there’s no guarantee we’ll end up with the right balance of housing and amenities. Incremental growth won’t meet the demands of a growing population.
A big change needs a big canvas. Two of Chilliwack’s most beloved developments—Garrison Crossing and District 1881—succeeded because one vision was executed over a grand space. These projects weren’t patchwork; they were master-planned from the ground up. The same approach is needed now, but the challenge is finding the space.
Developing on vacant land offers distinct advantages over trying to piece together small, fragmented plots within the existing urban core. The cost savings of building on bare land—without the complications of surrounding infrastructure—could be a major catalyst for investment. This is why the opportunity to develop on strategically located ALR lands could hold the key to unlocking Chilliwack’s future growth potential.
Focusing on a few strategic ALR properties connected to the urban core could offer a rare opportunity to rethink how Chilliwack grows—like a clean slate. These properties, adjacent to existing infrastructure but still undeveloped, provide the chance to create a more cohesive, walkable community design. This approach would help absorb higher density without the piecemeal sprawl we’ve seen in the past.
By concentrating development here, we could maximize existing infrastructure, improve transit accessibility, and build a sustainable, connected community that doesn’t sprawl but grows smartly within the land we already have.
Chilliwack’s layout is anything but straightforward. The urban core is shaped like a patchwork quilt, pinching and expanding in places where development has wrapped around Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) lands. This has led to a segmented city, with growth sprawling outward into areas like Promontory Heights, Vedder, and the Eastern Hillsides, while valuable central land remains locked for farming.
While pulling land from the ALR seems like a daunting task, there are two key properties where this could work.
This property offers 170 acres of developable land in a prime location near Evans Road, one of Chilliwack’s main arterial routes. Its proximity to Evans allows for seamless connections to major roads, Highway #1, and the city’s industrial area, making it ideal for mixed-use development. The land could be stepped down to match the residential zoning of nearby neighbourhoods, integrating with streets that provide access to other parts of Sardis. This offers the chance to create a walkable community with access to jobs, transportation, and amenities.
The proximity of the Valley Rail Trail, Luckakuck Creek Trail, and Tyson Road multi-use pathway makes this property especially suited for development compared to other ALR land near the urban core. These existing trail networks provide excellent, car-free connections to the rest of Chilliwack, offering a significant advantage for creating a walkable, connected community. With infrastructure already in place to support sustainable transportation, this property stands out as an ideal choice for future growth.
This second property, approximately 180 acres, presents more of a challenge. The area is constrained by the railroad bridge over the Trans-Canada Highway and the pinch points of the Young Road overpass and the waterway along Chilliwack River Road. However, it has perks: a direct connection to the Valley Rail Trail for recreation and commuting, and proximity to existing commercial spaces. Despite the challenges, this property holds great potential for a transit-friendly, walkable community.
These two properties make up less than 1% of Chilliwack’s farmland. While all farmland is valuable—especially land that grows Chilliwack corn—this small portion allows us to manage the coming growth responsibly, striking a balance between development and agricultural preservation.
This isn’t about creating more sprawl—it’s about the exciting potential to design a vibrant, walkable community that strikes the perfect balance between density and thoughtful urban design. These two areas have enough space not only to meet the provincial housing mandate but to create something extraordinary—a true urban paradise in the heart of Chilliwack.
By dedicating 50% of the land to roads, sidewalks, trails, and parks, we could still have around 70 hectares to build on. With a density of 65 units per hectare, that means over 4,500 homes could be built, all within easy reach of the things people need. Roads and infrastructure would be designed with walkability and transit in mind, turning the page on our car dependency.
Imagine a community where everything is just a short walk away. Mixed-use commercial spaces would allow residents to grab coffee, pick up groceries, or meet friends at local shops. Beautiful green spaces and parks would be integrated into the landscape, making room for relaxation and recreation. The area could feature a blend of duplexes, accessory dwelling units, townhouses, apartments and mixed-use developments, creating attractive, livable density that feels vibrant and connected.
Infrastructure could be reimagined to create a more efficient, shared-use environment that benefits the entire community. For example, a neighbourhood sports field and gymnasium could be designed for both public use and as facilities for a nearby school, eliminating the need for separate resources. We could also go vertical with a mixed-use development that incorporates not just housing and retail but vital services like a second urgent care centre for Chilliwack. This approach breaks away from the traditional delineation between uses, blending residential, commercial, and institutional spaces in a way that maximizes land use and brings everything closer together, making urban living more convenient and connected.
By linking this new neighbourhood to existing trails and transit routes, we could create a self-sustaining community—one that doesn’t feel like disconnected sprawl, but rather a natural extension of Chilliwack, designed for the future while preserving its character. This vision offers more than just housing—it’s about building a better way of living.
Record scratching sound— not so fast. The elephant in the room? The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Getting land out of the ALR is notoriously difficult, and in a community like Chilliwack, where agriculture is at the heart of its identity, it's even more unlikely.
While it’s unlikely, there is reason for hope—overcoming these obstacles could go a long way toward getting the necessary approvals. By making a compelling case that urban growth can happen without permanently sacrificing food production or our identity, we could unlock the potential of these lands.
For many in Chilliwack, removing farmland feels like an attack on the community’s identity. Agriculture here isn’t just an industry—it’s a way of life that has shaped the city for generations. Proposals to pull land from the ALR often meet resistance, as it’s seen as losing a piece of Chilliwack’s heritage.
However, Chilliwack farmers have the potential to lead the way in more efficient, climate-resilient forms of agriculture. Innovations like large-scale greenhouses could allow for higher yields on less land, helping to offset the loss of farmland. By embracing these methods, Chilliwack can continue to play a key role in the food supply while adapting to a growing city.
ALR advocates argue that the trade-off isn’t worth it. Historically, ALR land removals have targeted rural areas for the purpose of more single family residential, adding pressure to infrastructure by increasing the need for roads, utilities, and stretching services thin. But the properties near Evans and Stevenson and Knight and Luckakuck are different. These parcels are nearly surrounded by urban Chilliwack, so developing them would simply fill in the blanks, not push into untouched farmland.
There’s precedent for pulling land from the ALR when it serves Chilliwack’s needs. The Kerr Avenue and Brannick Place property, for example, was converted for agricultural food processing use, including the Molson brewery, Five Corners Meat Co, and a future Red Bull plant. While challenging, it’s not impossible—especially when the city government drives the process.
If handled thoughtfully, these properties could provide the space Chilliwack needs to grow, without repeating the mistakes of rural sprawl.
The answer is: developers will cover much of the cost. Through Chilliwack’s Development Cost Charges (DCCs), developers contribute directly to the construction of essential infrastructure like water, sewer systems, sidewalks, and trails. These fees, collected at the time of development, ensure that new communities are built with the services they need from day one. While older neighbourhoods wait years for upgrades like sidewalks due to limited funding, DCCs allow new developments to hit the ground running.
For the city's part, it will invest in creating a cohesive neighbourhood plan. With the construction of 4,500 new units, DCCs could generate over $125 million. This money will be used to expand roads, enhance transit, develop trail systems, and create public green spaces. By focusing these funds in key areas near the urban core, rather than dispersing them across hillside subdivisions, the city can get more out of every dollar and build a sustainable, connected community.
This is more than just another housing solution—it’s a new approach to building housing inventory and addressing housing affordability in Chilliwack. By developing these strategic properties, we can transform the community with a fresh vision. It’s about creating walkable neighbourhoods that prioritize density, reduce car dependency, and build for a sustainable future.
Achieving this vision means challenging assumptions about how we live and grow. It requires rethinking development to blend urban convenience with community-centred design.
