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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-13 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 13, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, May 13, 2021 Members Present: Eric Bowman John Cartwright Don Rickard Tom Barrie Ben Eastman Brenda Metcalf Richard Rekker Jordan McKay Councillor Zwart Regrets: Henry Zekveld, Jennifer Knox, Ryan Cullen Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid, Andrew Payne, Ryan Windle - Planning & Development Services Guests: Kiersten Allore-Engel, Planning and Economic Development, Region of Durham Observers: Mayor Foster; Allison Brown and Stacey Jibb, Region of Durham – Planning & Economic Development; Kirk Kemp; Charles Stevens; Beth Meszaros; Martha Vandepol; Jim Abernethy Due to COVID 19 restrictions and to ensure social distancing, participation in the meeting was electronic (using Microsoft Teams) and by conference call. Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions of Committee members. Declarations of Interest Staff reported back to the Committee in response to their request from the May meeting to consider removing the Declarations of Interest item from future Committee agendas. Staff recommended that the Declaration of Interest item remain on the agenda as their may be instances where a member chooses to declare an actual, potential or a perceived conflict based on what the individual feels is appropriate. The Committee was made aware that they had the option to remove the standing agenda item at any time, by motion, as they are not a “local board” for the purposes of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act or the Municipal Act. Adoption of Agenda 021-011 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Brenda Metcalf That the Agenda for May 13, 2021 be adopted. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 13, 2021 Approval of Minutes 021-012 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Richard Rekker That the minutes of the April 8, 2021 meeting be approved. Carried Presentation Kiersten Allore-Engel, Senior Planner, Planning and Economic Development, Region of Durham – Envision Durham – Proposed Policy Directions: Kiersten Allore-Engel provided a PowerPoint presentation, providing a brief update on Envision Durham – the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Regional Official Plan, and an introduction to the proposed policy directions relating to the Strategic Direction of a Thriving Rural System. She reviewed the policy framework, review approach, and timelines. Ms. Allore-Engel then provided an overview of proposed policy directions to: i) Incorporate provincial guidelines on permitted uses in prime agricultural areas into the Regional Official Plan; ii) Consider cannabis cultivation and both on-site and larger scale cannabis processing; iii) Update rural severance policies; iv) Enhance aggregate resource rehabilitation requirements; and v) Implement the provincial Agricultural System and Agri-food network. Information on Envision Durham, including the Proposed Policy Directions document, are available on the Region’s website at www.durham.ca/envisiondurham. The deadline to submit comments on the proposed policy directions is June 30. An online survey to collect comments is available at www.durham.ca/envisiondurhamdirections. The Committee asked questions of clarification relating to lot severance policies, and thanked Ms. Allore-Engel for her presentation. Delegations Charles Stevens regarding Consideration of Deletion of Special Study Area 2 from the Official Plan: A written copy of Mr. Stevens delegation was circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting (Attachment 1). Kirk Kemp regarding Consideration of Deletion of Special Study Area 2 from the Official Plan: A written copy of Mr. Kemp’s delegation was circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting (Attachment 2). Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 13, 2021 Business Arising from Minutes Regulation of On-Farm Special Events: Staff provided the Committee with an update on Councils consideration of an on-farm special events licencing by-law, including amendments made by Council since the first draft was introduced. The licencing by-law received by General Government Committee on May 10, 2021 will be considered for ratification by Council on May 25, 2021. Consideration of Deletion of Special Study Area 2 from the Official Plan: Staff updated the Committee on the direction of Council from the Public Meeting held on April 26. Staff will report back to Council with a recommendation report at Planning & Development Committee on May 17 at 7:00 pm. The Committee considered the prior resolution passed by the AACC in August 2011 as well as their discussions to date on this matter. 021-013 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Brenda Metcalf Whereas the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington brought forward a resolution in August 2011 requesting the inclusion of additional policies in the Clarington Official Plan respecting growth management and support for agriculture; Whereas Clarington’s Official Plan Review – Countryside Discussion Paper (August 2013) proposed study of the “whitebelt” lands using the Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR) evaluation system model to help identify Prime Agricultural Areas using area specific data and ground truthing and to verify the type of future uses that should occur in the areas between the existing urban centres; Whereas the Province in 2015 issued the agricultural land systems mapping through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which demonstrates the agricultural capability of the lands and can be used to assist in determining Agricultural Impact Assessments; Whereas Clarington Council, in response to the 2015 Co-ordinated Review of Provincial Planning Policy requested the Province to review the potential to further protect high- quality agricultural lands through the expansion of the Greenbelt based on a scientific evaluation of the production capability of the lands between the Greenbelt and urban boundaries in Clarington; Whereas the Province took no action on including these highly productive agricultural lands in Clarington; and Whereas Clarington Council is now considering the deletion of policies in the Clarington Official Plan to grow the Greenbelt and support Council’s 2015 request in response to concerns from property owners regarding potential impacts of Greenbelt expansion in Clarington, that already covers 81 per cent of the Municipality’s land area; The Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington recommends Council focus its protective effort on the lands between Bowmanville and Newcastle, by ensuring: Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 13, 2021 1. That growth be provided through intensification and redevelopment, and within the existing urban boundaries; 2. That impacts from settlement areas on agricultural operations be mitigated; 3. That all types, sizes and intensities of agricultural uses and normal farm practices be promoted and protected in accordance with Provincial Standards; and 4. That stringent tests for the consideration of urban boundary expansions into Prime Agricultural Areas be established, including soil capability (e.g. avoid Classes 1, 2 and 3 soils, in this order of priority) and other key factors, such as those considered by the LEAR evaluation system model. And further, that additional incentives to promote long term agricultural use of these lands be considered. Carried Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals Durham Region 2021 Business Count: Durham Region is conducting a business count from May through August as part of their annual project to gather employment statistics. The 2021 Business Count is being conducted through an online or phone survey. For information, visit www.durham.ca/BusinessCount. Notice of Recommendation Report regarding Special Study Area – Greenbelt Expansion: Considered earlier in the meeting (refer to Business Arising from Minutes). A copy of this notice and a copy of the recommendation report (PDS-029-21) was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. Universal Broadband Fund – Durham region projects funding announcement: Announcement of the Government of Canada’s investment through the Universal Broadband Fund to bring high-speed internet to Durham Region was relayed to the Committee. In response to questions from the Committee, Staff will seek out information from the Region of Durham about the relationship of this funding announcement to the Region’s ICON application, which the Committee supported in 2020. Notice of Public Meeting – Community Improvement Plan Amendment: The Committee was informed that the Municipality is proposing to amend the COVID-19 Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which Council adopted in October 2020. The proposed revisions would modify the COVID-19 CIP, including the Financial Incentive Program general eligibility and means test criteria to better support qualifying local businesses with COVID-19 -related improvements, in accordance with the goals of the CIP. The Public Meeting will be held on Monday June 7 at 7:00 pm. Details are available at www.clarington.net/FinancialSupport. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 13, 2021 Liaison Reports Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Tom Barrie provided an update from the April 13 and May 10 DAAC meetings in his emails to all prior to the meeting. No further discussions by the Committee. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Richard Rekker provided an update from the April 23 DRFA meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. No further discussion by the Committee. Durham Farm Connections: Brenda Metcalf informed the Committee that the Facebook Live virtual farm tours are continuing through November 2021, and continue to draw great interest (www.facebook.com/DurhamFarmConnections). The annual Celebrate Agriculture Gala will take place on October 28. The Celebrate Agricultural Awards for 2021 and 2020 will be handed out at the event. The event format (virtual or in person) will be confirmed closer to the event date. Nominations for 2021 award recipients are now being accepted. Email info@durhamfarmconnections.ca for a nomination form. The Committee enquired whether the 2020 award winners will be released prior to the close of 2021 nominations, so that nominations could potentially be made again for nominees who were not successful in 2020. Brenda will speak with the organizing committee and report back at the next AACC meeting. Clarington Board of Trade: None New Business None. Next Meeting Thursday, June 10, 2021 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual Meeting) Guest: Margaret Walton, Planscape re: Envision Durham – Agricultural Systems Mapping Review Good Afternoon, I would like to take this opportunity to submit a response to the province’s growing the Greenbelt consultation. Before making comment, I would like to provide you with some of my background. The Stevens family has farmed in the Bowmanville/ Newcastle area since 1810; contributing to the community and the economic growth of the province. At present we farm 250 acres in the largest zoned urban area in the GTA. Of the 164 acres that we own, we grow 2 perennial crops; apples and blueberries, both of which are dependent on the specific microclimate and unique soil properties that exist in this area. In addition, our small horticultural farm has contributed approximately $7,650,00 to the GDP each year in Ontario. This value obviously varies depending on the marketplace and Mother Nature. The area between Bowmanville and Newcastle is considered prime#1 agricultural land; the best in Canada. With the existing concerns over the environment; it has been well realized that the addition of trees has a positive impact to our overall climate. Scientific evidence from Cornell University shows how apple orchards contribute to that positive environmental foot print for climate change. Durham region is one of largest apple growing areas in the province. Both of our crops are very efficient in putting CO2 back into the soil. While I understand that there are farmers not in favour of the Greenbelt; it is my opinion that the Greenbelt is the only way to protect and sustain our future source of food. The Greenbelt was very successful in protecting Niagara’s grape industry and therefore, I believe, would be equally successful for other agricultural commodities. If the Greenbelt plan is to provide protection of prime agricultural land, then developing our best agricultural land makes little sense. On the other hand, placing #4 to #7 soil areas in the Greenbelt; areas inefficient at producing food, would be more appropriately placed in areas for development. My ask today is that, as a farmer of 45 years, I am able to have my farm be in the green area of the plan. I am currently finalizing a Succession plan to pass this operation to 3 passionate young people who recognize the value of farming and contributing to our future food sustainability. Respectfully, Charles Stevens Wilmot Orchards Inc., Newcastle, Ontario From:Kirk Kemp To:Burke, Amy Subject:Special study area 2 Date:May 11, 2021 2:27:02 PM EXTERNAL Members of the Ag Advisory Committee, ladies and gentlemen thanks for the opportunity to speak to you about this important matter. I have a number of points I want to cover and I will try to be brief . 1/. Proper notice to put all the white belt lands in Special Study Area 2. was not given to land owners. I had no idea this area was created until long after the fact. This is not fair. . 2/ . Our family paid white belt price for this land and changing to green belt will devalue our land and cause financial hardship. Our bank has told us they will require more assets to secure the loans on these farms. 3/. Taxpayers are investing billions of dollars in infrastructure. 407/ Go train /New Hospital to accommodate the future growth of our community , not to restrict it. Council supported all those infrastructure investments so why would we want to take 9500 acres out of future employment and residential development. This development would allow our children, grand children and great grand children a place to work and live. . 4/ Farmers who want their land to be green belt have several ways to protect their land from development. Nothing is stopping them from doing so. And I respect their views and encourage these farmers who want to protect their land for farming forever to do so. But don't ask the other land owners to sacrifice their investments by trying to green belt their land . 5/ There's enough farmers who want to have their land stay into farming that will give a good buffer between Bowmanville and Newcastle if that's what some people think would be nice. . 6/The farm land west of Bowmanville is classfied as rural area ( which is Class 1 class 2 and Class 3 land ) Land between Bowmanville and Newcstle is made of of different classes of land as well. It's certainly not all Class 1 land. Land classifications are out dated. They haven't been updated in over 50 yrs. Farmers have done many things in the past 50 yrs to improve the fertility of the land. We farm land on Maple Grove rd,Holt rd, Rundle rd, Solina rd and Courtice rd. As well as several farms east of Bowmanville and the yield is no different and size of fruit is no different. Land quality is the same. 7/ If we give up several thousand acres of land for future development in Clarington our friends in Pickering will run to Durham Region and Queens park and request a swap , our land out and their land in for development and net change to green belt is zero. So how would that protect farm land? They will emphasize extra land is needed to support new airport and growth demands within our region. . 8/. These decisions we make today should be made thinking 100 yrs ahead not 20 or 30 yrs. 9/ People argue residents want a green space between the towns. Of course if you ask someone would you like to see the fields remain green. They are going to say yes. Why wouldn't they. They already have their home. They forget their house was built on a farm field. 10/. The argument that we need to save farm land is a good one but not practical. If we reduce land in Clarington where development can happen. It will just go to surrounding communities and the net result is we saved no farm land. And all we did was choke off economic development in our area and give it to another community. In closing we need to think big picture and look long into the future. We are not short of farm land in the world. People are going hunger mostly because of corrupt government leadership. . 50 yrs from now most of the field fruits and vegetables will be grown in greenhouses requiring a fraction of the land we use now. This type of farming is really expanding in Ontario . Thanks for the opportunity to give my points and some more facts on this important matter. Kind regards Kirk Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Bell network.