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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-09 Minutes 1-5 CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Barrie Gary Jeffery Henk Mulders Eric Bowman Brenda Metcalf Mark Bragg Ted Watson Jennifer Knox Mary Ann Found Ross McMaster Orwin Bandstra Councillor Gord Robinson STAFF: Faye Langmaid Susan Hajnik ABSENT: Donald Rickard GUESTS: Highway 407 Presentation Team: Dean Kemper, Darlene Proudfoot and Rita Vinerie from MTO John Newman - TSH Brent Gotts - MRC Councillor Mary Novak was present for the 407 Presentation portion of this meeting. Chair called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. Adoption of Aqenda 08-19 Moved by Brenda Metcalf, seconded by Mary-Ann Found 'That the Agenda for October 9, 2008 be adopted" Carried Approval of Minutes 08-20 Moved by Ted Watson, seconded by Brenda Metcalf "That the minutes of the August 21,2008 meeting be approved." Carried Guests: Highway 407 Presentation Team MTO/MRC/TSH gave a presentation and status update on the 407 East Environmental Assessment. The 4th Public Information Centre (PIC) was held in June of 2008. The PIC, held at the Rickard Centre, was well attended by approximately 270 people. Refinements to route, mapping showing what would happen with crossing roads, defining property requirements and the community value plan process were presented at that time. The majority of the comments focused on property impacts, crossing road design, provisions for wildlife crossing and concern about proposed road closures. . Townline to go over 407 . Leask is closed . Langmaid goes over . Enfield will go under . Washington Road closing . Solina Road to go over . Rundle Road will be cul-de-sac . Holt Road will be over . Old Scugog will go under . Regional Road 57 will go under . Cedar Park Road will be cul-de-sac north of 407 . Middle Road, MTO is recommending to be closed, Region and Clarington disagree . Liberty St goes over 407 (some discussion of an interchange. MTO are not protecting for one there but are no precluding one at that location in future) . Clemens....kind of peters out at the 407 . Bethesda will be fly over.. ..shifted slightly to the east to protect property on the west side . Acres Road will not go through . Cole Road will not go through - proposing a connector road to link Cole and Acres . Commercial vehicle inspection planned . Darlington/Clarke Townline will have an interchange and a transitway station . Brown Road will have connector road similar to Acres & Cole . Leskard Road will go under -and be slightly realigned to the left . Best Road will go over . 35/115 will be interchange between Kirby and Concession Road 8 with a design speed of 80 - will probably be posted at 60 kmh For the link . Rundle Road gets realigned but will stop at Taunton Road . Taunton Road is an exit from 407 but no entry is allowed . Solina will go over 407 . Highway 2 is a full interchange . Bloor Street will go over 407 . Baseline Road will under 407 The Impact Assessment looks at what features will be impacted by technically preferred route, what type of mitigation/compensation to enhance measure to be applied. An Impact report will document this work and will detail any site specific fieldwork. A Revised version of property impact map should be coming out near the end of this year. Submit in June of 2009 documentation. Final plan should be available by late November/December. Committee requests that the following items be added to the list of impacts, as they are relevant: . Impact to water table . Agricultural drainage . Impact to livestock . Width and visibility of under and over passes are a major concern for liability for farmers moving equipment. Combines have 25' headers and some discs are also very wide, AACC October 9. 2008 these need to be considered when laying out the lane widths and also whether the farmer is expected to overhang the sidewalk or middle line (neither of which is acceptable). . There should be a community value plan that addresses just agricultural issues. 8500 + ha of agricultural iand is being iost at 170metre width of right of way from Pickering to 35/115; that is a major impact but the CVP's appear to be focused on natural heritage issues. . What happens to additional lands in ROW, will they be rented to farmer for cropping or hay cutting? . Fencing and lighting shouid maintain rural character. Property that becomes remnant once the highway is complete could be dealt with in any of three ways: . Ministry could keep it for stormwater management/reforestation . Adjacent farmers way wish to purchase lands that become separated . Possible for single family development What's next? . Proceed with preliminary design . Finalize technically preferred route and the location of support facilities . Consult with stakeholders . Complete the impact assessment . Identify mitigation and compensation measures . Prepare for next PIC, planned for late 2008 2009 submit EA to Ministry of Environment CORRESPONDENCE Durham Region Food Charter -Wili be circulated to committee. This is a brochure that discusses food environment/production. Letter from John O'Toole, M.P.P. to Minister of Finance (Dwight Duncan) about MPAC assessments of green energy and the interests of the agricultural community. Notice of "Grow Durham" meeting. Oct 19 Durham Region Response to Grow Durham Region. The recommendations do not protect farm land in Durham. In this document the future projections out to 2056 fills the white area between the Greenbelt and the existing Urban Boundaries. Some of the more rural areas of Durham Region are not thrilled with this document. To reverse the direction being given to the consultant for Grow Durham there would have to be an effort made to convince several regional councillors that the whole "white belt" does not need to be urbanized. This is your opportunity to put forth a resolution to council to advise them of your position. A resolution is to be drafted and sent to all members for comment before it is sent to Council. Sub-committee of Ted and Councillor Robinson will work on resolution. Kathy Biake from MPAC - assessment notices will be going out very soon. - starting November 3. MPAC indicated that they would be happy to come and meet with committee. AACC October 9, 2008 Royal Winter Fair has a program for agri-food innovators at the 2009 Fair to showcase innovative farm products. Faye has suggested Gord Geisberger (apple cider) and Nancy Hutchinson (spinning wheel alpacas) to the Board of Trade. Premiers Award for Innovation - Faye has package should you wish to nominate anyone. REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES DAAC The presentation of the 407 from tonight is very similar to one that was presented to DAAC. Marlene now has an assistant. There is a large amount of bale wrap recycling in Clarington and we should have a location for pick up here. Summer tour was a success DURHAM FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE Did not meet over summer. Annual meeting is on Tuesday, Oct 21. Provided a list of initiatives the OFA addressed over the summer with federal politicians. Farm Connections has it's fist meeting this week. Ag trailer completed it's season and was well received over the summer. OTHER BUSINESS Thank you to Mitch for taking care of Orono Fair display. FUTURE AGENDA November MTO on Y, load restrictions - Michael Kerr, MTO; Paul Foster from Region and Leslie Benson from Clarington Engineering. to be determined MPAC December January Moved to adjourn: Gary AACC October 9. 2008