Two religious institutions on Richmond’s “Highway to Heaven” are being told to create farming plans after applying for tax exemptions.
The City of Richmond exempts some religious institutions and non-profits from municipal property taxes.
However, the city has a “backlands policy” that requires religious institutions on No. 5 Road – that are in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) – to farm the land fronting Highway 99 of their properties.
The city and the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) have both been in contact with the Shia Muslim Community of BC, at 8580 No. 5 Rd., and the India Cultural Centre of Canada, at 8600 No. 5 Rd., to "discuss appropriate land use and farming obligations required for permissive tax exemptions."
City spokesperson Clay Adams said discussions are on-going and city staff are working with them to bring them into compliance.
Total tax exemptions this year comes to almost $1.6 million. Churches are the largest group that receive the tax exemptions, totalling $577,973.
In a report going to city council’s finance committee meeting next week, the properties that are exempt from municipal taxes are listed.
The 2024 tax exemptions represent 0.52 per cent of the total municipal tax levy and is borne by other taxpayers.
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