HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-11Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Members Present:
Regrets
Staff:
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Eric Bowman
Brenda Metcalf
Les Caswell
Councillor Zwart
Richard Rekker
Ben Eastman
Jennifer Knox
Tom Barrie,
John Cartwright
Henry Zekveld
Ted Watson
Don Rickard
Faye Langmaid and Amy Burke, Planning Services
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. No pecuniary interests.
Adoption of Agenda
019-15 Moved by Richard Rekker, seconded by John Cartwright
"That the Agenda for July 11, 2019 be adopted"
Carried
Approval of Minutes
019-16 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Eric Bowman
"That the minutes of the June 13, 2019 meeting be approved"
Carried
Presentation: Aaron Bowman is unable to attend, will be rescheduled for a future
meeting.
Traffic Calming: Committee members requested that the Enniskillen barriers be removed
once school is out for the summer. Committee members also suggested a trial with the farm
equipment be carried out in the next 4-6 weeks and if possible it should be done on a closed
road so that the equipment has the ability to be turned around in a safe manner. Faye will follow
up with Engineering on this request.
Mayor's Golf Tournament: Jennifer Stycuk will attend the next meeting of the
committee of provide information on volunteering and playing at the Golf Tournament.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 11, 2019
Committee members would like to understand why this tournament has been scheduled
on the same day as the DAAC tour and also how the scholarships will be awarded.
ZoneClarington: Council has received a number of delegations with regard to the
mapping of the Environmental Protection and its impact on agricultural lands.
Members of the committee share many of the concerns voiced by the delegates.
Committee members provided Staff with the following additional comments on this
component of the draft zoning by-law:
x Future implications of EP expansion, concern that the CAs will increase the 30
metre buffer beyond 30 metres, many question the science behind the 30 metre
buffer distance and its application to spring run-off ditches. Why are these EP,
let alone have a 30 metre buffer and 90 metre environmental review area - "if I
build a shed in this area and it floods that is my problem".
x The area that CAs are enforcing their authority seems to have expanded beyond
the CA regulatory limit.
x Man-made features such as irrigation ponds are shown as EP.
x Buffers set out by the Pesticides Management Regulatory Agency are not as
large for some fungicides and insecticides; some pesticides have specific
setbacks others do not require them. Typically the application criteria gives a
specific setback from aquatic areas, which are defined as marshes, permanent
creeks, estuaries, ponds, etc. The applicator is to know and judge what aquatic
areas are.
x Farmers do not have the same means and resources to do detailed
environmental studies as developers do.
x Engineering requirements (geotechnical and storm drainage) compounded with
environmental studies are making it very difficult to afford new farm buildings.
x Construction of rural roadways by Clarington and Region often disrupt local
drainage, surface and sub -surface flows. There should be greater care taken with
how these projects affect the adjacent farmlands and tile drainage outlets into
ditches.
x Tile drainage improves agricultural yields and changes the drainage regime. This
is encouraged through other levels of government programs. There appears to
be a disconnect between policy making at the different Ministries.
x A small rural residential lot with scrub brush in the backyard should be allowed to
erect a shed, garage. Regulation should be practical and use common sense.
x Imposition of regulation from early 1970s when no permits where necessary to
what is required now is alarming. Greater balance is needed.
x Frustration in community that common sense/practical application is going by the
wayside, not just with draft zoning by-law but other regulation areas.
x Direct notification to all landowners is needed, similar to Planning Act
notifications for rezoning and minor variance.
Faye and Amy thanked committee members for their comments, the committees input is
key in making sure we achieve the balance that everyone is striving for.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 11, 2019
Committee Protocol: Faye reviewed the committee protocol provided by the Clerk's
Department which has been sent to all the committee members in advance of the May
meeting. Because of many of the members background in 4-H and other organizations
the protocol of how committees are to function is well understood.
Business Arising: None
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals: None
Liaison Reports:
DAAC: Ag Tour is schedule for September 12 at WillowTree Farms. No meeting since
AACC last meeting.
DRFA: No report.
CBOT: CBOT are aware of ZoneClarington and will continue to monitor.
New Business: None
Future Agendas
Brianna Ames of Fairlife (Coca-Cola) has agreed to be a speaker, via conference call at
one of the meetings in the Fall. Fairlife are the proponent for the development of the
milk processing plant in Peterborough (85 million) which hopes to source Canadian milk
next year.
Building Code changes for farm structures anticipated for 2020, committee members
looking for an update.
John Cartwright moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting: Thursday, Aug 22, 2019 @ 7:30 pm Aaron Bowman —Soil health and
the next generation, sustainability in agriculture.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 11, 2019