Daybreak Farms will be undergoing modernization following the approval of a zoning bylaw amendment by the Terrace city council. 

Established in the mid-1950s, the farm was purchased by it’s current owners in 1992 and was operating under a rural non-conforming zoning bylaw, making it the only operating farm located within city limits in B.C. An application for a site specific zoning amendment was made in January where the council asked for more information.

Aiming to increase their egg laying hens from 40,000 to 80,000, Daybreak reported back to council with a plan to invest $10 million over the next ten years to upgrade their facilities

For their first project, the farm has offered to pay the city $150,000 as a security deposit for the reconstruction of one of their barns which they hope to start immediately. 

Other improvements planned include changing their compost and manure management systems, the construction of a liquid egg facility, and reconstructing all of their barns. 

The B.C. Egg Marketing Board will be requiring farms to switch from closed cage systems to enriched or non-caged systems by 2036, which is also included in the farms ten year plan.

Council approved the amendment on Aug. 8 following a public hearing where all residents' comments were considered. 

Daybreak received plenty of support from the community, collecting just over 300 signatures from neighbours. Letters of support specified the importance of food security, local development and local employment. 

Several residents provided letters of opposition to the city as well with some explaining that they do not think the modernization is necessary and that it will not bring any improvements to current conditions. 

Troy Ritter is a neighbour who addressed the council during the public hearing to voice their concerns. They talked about the fly infestation that had pushed them out of their home last year, stating that the increase of hens would only exacerbate the issue.

With the long history of complaints, nearby residents don't trust that Daybreak will be able to fulfill the commitments they've made to reduce these issues.

Neighbours have suggested that the farm should relocate entirely, though the farm has stated that this option is not viable.

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