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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-10Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, June 10, 2021 Members Present: Eric Bowman Jenni Knox Don Rickard Tom Barrie Henry Zekveld Brenda Metcalf Councilor Zwart Richard Rekker Regrets: Ryan Cullen, Jordan McKay, Ben Eastman, John Cartwright Staff: Faye Langmaid and Andrew Payne - Planning & Development Services Guests: Jonah Kelly, Planning and Economic Development, Region of Durham; Margaret Walton, Senior Associate, Planscape; Cory Harris, Watershed Services Coordinator, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Observers: Councilor Hooper, Allison Brown, Planning & Economic Development, Region of Durham 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 updated the committee that Council has a resolution on the agenda for June 14t' 2021 regarding whether to delete this requirement from future agendas for advisory committees, since they are not subject to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act in the same manner as Council members. This is as per the Integrity Commissioner's opinion. Adoption of Agenda 021-014 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Tom Barrie That the Agenda for June 10, 2021 be adopted. Carried Approval of Minutes 021-015 Moved by Brenda Metcalf, seconded by Don Rickard That the minutes of the May 13, 2021 meeting be approved. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 10, 2021 Presentation Margaret Walton, Senior Associate, Planscape — Envision Durham — Regional Agricultural System: Margaret Walton provided a PowerPoint presentation, issuing a brief update on Envision Durham — the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Regional Official Plan, and an introduction to the Agricultural System. She demonstrated how the system relates to the policy framework in Ontario, reviewed how the system was identified and refined, and then explained the implementation process and project timelines. Ms. Walton then explained how this work relates to the Greater Golden Horseshoe's Agri -food system. Ms. Walton finished the presentation by saying that she looked forward to providing future updates to the committee. 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 fragmentation and the mapping of prime agricultural lands. Aggregate resource areas are addressed as an overlay and are to be restored to agricultural usage. The Chair thanked Ms. Walton for her presentation. Cory Harris, Watershed Services Coordinator, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority — Wilmot/Graham Creek Flood Plain Mapping Update Study: Cory Harris gave a PowerPoint presentation, providing an overview of the floodplain mapping update study being done for the Wilmot and Graham Creeks. Cory outlined how the LiDAR technology is used to measure the ground's surface using light detection and imaging lasers on the hull of a plane, and how on -site surveys are used to supplement the LiDAR data. LiDAR cannot accurately measure below the water's surface for stream depths, so the team will be ground truthing these areas. The study uses hydrologic and hydraulic model inputs to better understand floodplain limits. Cory concluded with a review of the project's timelines. Don Rickard asked when the flights to capture the LiDAR imaging occur. Cory said that ideally, they are in spring before the trees come out into full leaf but after snow has cleared. Don also asked how the Conservation Authority determines watershed boundaries. Cory responded that watershed delineation is apparent from topographical mapping of catchment basins and is how each Conservation Authority's boundaries are determined. Tom Barrie asked how the study will reflect where land uses are slated to change (e.g. from vacant land to subdivision, using Newtonville as an example). Cory answered that the Official Plan and the approved and future land uses therein are taken into account to make sure the project's vision is in line with what is approved in terms of subdivisions, etc. For example, most subdivisions require storm water management ponds — some of these are not built yet but will still be represented in the new hydrology models. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 10, 2021 Delegations None 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 was ratified by Council on May 25, 2021. An information sheet will be developed to communicate how this will work. Consideration of Deletion of Special Study Area 2 from the Official Plan: Staff updated the Committee on the direction of Council from the Meeting held on June 14, 2021. Council approved the deletion of Special Study Area 2 from the Official Plan. This request has been forwarded to the Region for approval. Universal Broadband Fund: Staff communicated that a list of rural broadband announcements had been compiled on this topic, but that a more fulsome update will be given by Riaz Razvi, Durham Region's Broadband Specialist, at September's meeting. 2021 Celebrate Agriculture Awards: Brenda gave an update on how nominations for the awards will work this year. There may be some overlap in nominations from last year to this year - people making nominations can contact the awards coordinator to confirm whether a nominee from 2020 should be nominated again in 2021. Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals OMAFRA FOI Access Request — Animal Activists/Trespass on Farms/Slaughterhouses: Staff provided an overview of the request. OMAFRA is notifying the Committee that information to be provided by the committee (letter, resolution and minutes of meeting) where the issue of animal activists/trespassing on farms and slaughterhouses was outlined. The information being requested is public record, there is no issue with it being released. Staff will inform OMAFRA that the access to information request being released is fine. Liaison Reports Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Tom Barrie provided an update from the June 8 DAAC meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. Angela Porteous, Supervisor of Waste Services for the Region of Durham, presented on the draft Long- term Waste Management Plan. A DAAC subcommittee has reviewed the proposed policy directions for the Committee. Minor changes have been recommended. No further discussions by the Committee. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: No update. Durham Farm Connections: No further update than the 2021 Celebrate Agriculture Awards update provided (see Business Arising). Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 10, 2021 Clarington Board of Trade: Jenni Knox provided an update on the upcoming CBOT Annual General Meeting. Following a two-year term, Jenni will be passing the torch of President of the Board on as an election for a new President will be held at the AGM. CBOT has been working with the Municipality on the service level review - Jenni communicated that there are some changes that would benefit the Municipality. Two pieces of CBOT's portfolio would be shifted over to the Municipality: Large Scale Projects and Business Attraction. These items will be discussed at the June 14 Council meeting. New Business Wilmot/Graham Creek Flood Plain Mapping Update Study: Staff gave an update on a notice that had been sent out to rural landowners in the Mapping Update Study Area. Letter recipients can contact the GRCA to allow access to their property for the study, if they wish to. Overhanging Trees and Ash Trees in Rural Areas: Committee members had questions with regard to tree trimming and removal. Any overhanging trees should be reported to Public Works for inclusion in the work order system. They will be asked to attend a future meeting to discus Emerald Ash Borer and tree removal. Next Meeting Thursday, July 8, 2021 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual Meeting) Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 10, 2021