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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-095-09Clar.~~gton ceadtng rae way REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMI1 ISTRATION 1~Ceselu~to~ +~ G~x}- 5Ga D9) G'/~`~f-5~3 09 Date: Monday, October 19, 2009 C- (~/3-09 Report #: PSD-095-09 File #: PLN 28.9 By-law #: Subject: PROPROSAL FOR CLIMATIC ASSESSMENT FOR TENDER FRUITS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend. to Council the following: THAT Report PSD-095-09 be received for information; THAT Regional Rural Economic Development Officer and the Clarington Board of Trade be thanked for their interest and pursuit of this project and be encouraged to continue to work on obtaining the necessary funding for this project; and THAT all interested parties be notified of Councils decision. i FF'nn''' A~ , 'V~~ Submitted by: ~ Reviewed by: ~ ~ David J~"Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu, Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer FUDJC/df 7 October 2009 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-095-09 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 At the September 21,2009 meeting Council requested: "That staff be requested to investigate the feasibility of undertaking weather condition study to determine if there is an opportunity for. a private winery to be established within the Municipality of Clarington." 1.2 In June of 2008 the Municipality was approached by Dr. Gary Polonski, who through his connections set up a meeting with Dr. Tony Shaw of Brock University and Nick Pisano of the National Research Council. These two individuals are well versed in the research and climatological requirements for the development of wineries. The area of interest were the lands along the Lakeshore between Newcastle and Port Hope. For the development of a successful winery area, not only is the climate, soil and growing conditions a factor but also the surrounding scenery, proximity to a larger population and other related tourism aspects are also necessary. Dr. Shaw and Mr. Pisano were very impressed with the lakeshore area, identifying a number of potential properties (Attachment 1). 1.3 A group of interested parties, local farmers, land owners, and investors with connections in either the winery industry or to local farming organizations were brought together for a meeting in August of 2008 (Attachment 2). 1.4 Dr. Shaw submitted a proposal "A Climatic Assessment of the Lakeshore Zone for Commercial Production of Vitis vinifera Grapes" for two climatological stations that were specific to viticulture requirements. The proposal was to collect the necessary data over two winter (freeze/thaw) and summer periods for an estimated cost of $40,000 - $50,000. 1.5 The Ontario Soil and Crop Association (local chapter) were contacted for their rainfall and weather records. The local chapter did not see a fit between their program and this project but encouraged individual members to participate. 1.6 The Region of Durham Economic Development Office is the lead partner and has earmarked funding of $10,000 in their 2009 to help leverage funding. The Region would like the assessment to include some additional locations on the Oak Ridges Moraine for new crop assessment. This will increase the cost of the proposal, however, it expands the potential for other partners and also the usefulness of the information. 1.7 OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) are providing support in the form of in-kind contributions. A funding application for $30,000 - $32,000 is being submitted to the Agriculture Adaptation Council. The East-Central Fruit and Vegetable Growers have agreed to be the applicant, in this case. REPORT NO.: PSD-095-09 PAGE 3 2.0 CONCLUSION 2.1 A detailed climatic assessment could have several potential benefits related to the economic development. These include principally: (i) an ident~cation of the areas according to level of the risk of freeze damage caused by winter and spring extreme minimum temperatures; (ii) zonation of climatically suitable areas for vine, fruit crops and vegetables, and (iii) the potential for the long term establishment of a network of monitoring stations of the meso climates of this area that would gage its evolution in the context of global warming and land use changes, if funding is extended beyond the 2 year period. 2.2 The Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington support the initiative and believe the climatic assessment could assist in the development of a tender crop growing area in Clarington. 2.3 To advance the project the Municipality could provide some funding in the range of $2,000 - $5,000 to strengthen the application and encourage the participation of other partners such as Durham Farm Fresh and the other benefiting municipalities. Should Council wish to participate in and promote this project, the following recommendation could be added: "THAT funding in the amount of $ be committed from the Economic Development Reserve fund to the Climatic Assessment for the Lakeshore Zone for the Commercial Production of Grapes, with the funds flowing through the Clarington Board of Trade, Economic Development Office." Attachments: Attachment 1 -Map Attachment 2 - Minutes of Meeting List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Tom Barrie Eric Bowman Gary Jeffery Jennifer Knox Brenda Metcalf Henk Mulders Donald H. Rickard Ted Watson Fred Archibald Gerry Mahoney REPORT NO.: PSD-095-09 Sheila Hall Marlene Werry, Durham Region Economic Development Jay Perry, Industrial Technology Advisor NickPisano, National Research Council Dr. Tony Shaw, Climatology and Viticulture Klaus Reif, Reif Estate Winery Ann Harley Gary Polonsky PAGE 4 Attachment 1 To Report PSD-095-09 ~ Ob'Oa 3NIlNM01 S'd3 ~J M `` N 1 OVOa SIOHOIN ^± J = N v+ O ll3 OVOa llOnl3 ^' W ,~ tlOa a31SVSN'dl ~ V d •~ ~ •_ ~ ~~ Otl0 3lll O 3N InNOlAM13 ~ d, ~ ~ 2, /}~ , V voa yr tloa aiaa ~ sN no a nwvllae L- N0131dtl1S a ° ~ ~ z 0 ~, avoa S3Ntlf w U O ~ Otl SNtl02iOW ro w oa > avoa ~ o . ` allln NMOa ~ aao~~lo ~ m ¢ S O lIM = OtlOa Y = J S tlOV dl O Oa NOSN3 d ~ , OtlOa A3lla 7 td ~ ~, ~N ` V aOHlatl ~d Z Attachment 2 • To Report PSD-095-09 MEETING REGARDING WINERY PROPOSAL, CLIMATOLOGY TESTING AUGUST 6, 2008 Attending: Dr. Tony Shaw, Brock University Nick Pisano, National Research Council Jay Perry, NRC-Industrial Technology Advisor Klaus Reif, Reif Estate Winery Ann Harley, The Harley Group Gord Robinson, Local Councillor Marlene Werry, Rural Economic Development Officer, Region of Durham Gary Polonsky, Clarington resident Brenda Metcalf, Newcastle BIA rep, Farmers' Market Chair, AACC Mitch Morawetz, Student, Clarington Planning Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, Clarington Planning Purpose: The purpose of the meeting was to explore the potential development of sites along Lakeshore Road between Bond Head (Newcastle) and the Townline with Port Hope for agri-tourism, specifically wineries. Background: Dr. Shaw, Nick Pisano, David Crome, Gary Polonsky and Faye had met on June 11, 2008 to discuss the concept of whether Clarington has the qualities, soil, climate, landscape to attract wineries as part of an agri-tourism initiative. On that day, Tony, Nick, Faye and David toured along Lakeshore Road and 8 sites were identified as having potential. The concept of undertaking the necessary background research to determine the feasibility and risks involved in establishing wineries was discussed with the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington on June 12 at their regular meeting. The Committee members thought it was worthwhile to have the research carried out but doubted that there were any farmers in the area that would have the capital resources or passion to pursue establishing a winery. Investors would have to found to provide the capital necessary to pursue such an undertaking. The Municipality has mapped the properties identified by Tony and Nick and provided aerial mapping (2005), plus soil mapping. All of the properties are along the Waterfront Regeneration Trail. Mirco-climate A micro-climatic study is critical to understanding what affect the winter winds, frosts and inversions will have on grape varieties. It would be best to have 2 Meeting Regarding Winery Proposal, Climatology Testing: Page 2 seasons of winter climatic data. The spring and fall frosts can be dealt with by wind machines. White grape varieties need about 1000 heat units, reds 1200 to 1.300 head units. In Clarington, the heat units and the soil are not the restricting characteristic. It will be the winter and the winter kill. The Soil and Crop Association (different farmers) track information on their own sites and share this information with each other to provide a better picture. Marlene will endeavor to acquire this information for Dr. Shaw. Ideally it would be best to collect climatic information at 1', 4' and 40'. TRAP may be willing to fund a climatic study. This information would be helpful for more than just grape varieties; it would also assist with fine-tuning for other fruit crops, vegetables, and the introduction of new varieties to the area. Apri-tourism The wineries concept is not based on this being an ideal place to grow grapes. Rather the scenic beauty (landscape quality), the population base in Toronto/GTA, the location along Lake Ontario and the Waterfront Regeneration Trail would make this an ideal agri-tourism location. The area identified is in the provincially designated Greenbelt and as such will remain open pace/agricultural. The agricultural and tourism industries are looking for value-added and spin-off benefits, overnight stays (B&B), the retail aspect of on-farm wineries, farm gate markets, places to eat, etc. There will need to be a cluster of wineries (8-10- could include fruit wineries) and other activities to attract day-trippers and overnight stays. The Newcastle Art Festival (first ever) drew 3000 people with minimal advertising. Winery Costs $4,000/acre to prepare the land (drainage, grading, etc). Year 1-grape vines, posts, wire $10,000-11,000/acre Wind machines $30,000, plus operating costs, they cover about 8-10 acres $3-3,500/acre/year to run the farm (operating costs) Assumed that the land is already owned Winery building (to start) 1-1.5 million or more, capital cost Mom and Pop winery-10,000 cases of wine, 40 acres College Winery-35-40,000 cases of wine, 20 employees, 100 acres Next Step-100,000 cases of wine Large wineries-2-300,000 cases of wine Meeting Regarding Winery Proposal, Climatology Testing: Page 3 On the grape crop the break-even point for Vidal is never, Chardonnay 15-20 years, Cabernet/Franc 10-12 years. Every bottle of Ontario wine is a spin-off of $5 to Ontario economy. Every bottle of imported wine is a spin-off of 80 cents to Ontario economy. The economic benefit is in the value-added, the quality of life for the individuals involved in the industry, the tourism benefits, the service sectorjobs that are created. Long term Next Steps: Carry out the climatic studies to obtain the necessary baseline information, cost is about $40-50,000 for two year study, ideally 3-4 sites, Dr. Shaw coming to download information. Develop an overall tourism strategy for agri-tourism. To drive the vision there will need to be a champion Immediate Next Step: Dr. Shaw to submit a proposal for climatic study to Marlene and Faye.