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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-09 Minutes CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jenni Knox (arrived 8:10) Brenda Metcalf Don Rickard Tom Barrie Mary Ann Found John Cartwright _arrived 7:35 Les Caswell Gary Jeffery Eric Bowman Marlene Werry Councillor Wendy Partner STAFF: Faye Langmaid GUESTS: Councillor Corinna Traill REGRETS: Ted Watson, Mark Bragg Gary welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. Adoption of Agenda 012-03 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Brenda Metcalf "That the Agenda for February 9t", 2012 be adopted" CARRIED Approval of Minutes 012-04 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Donald Rickard "That the minutes of the January 12t", 2012 meeting be approved." CARRIED Guest: Unfortunately Dr. Marceau had to cancel out of attending last week and Dean Saucier informed us today that she was ill and unable to attend. Faye sent the schedule of meetings and invited them to attend a future meeting. Informed them the group has a number of research ideas and ongoing research that the farmers are participating in. UOIT may have researchers who could use this information or be involved in; or there may be research projects that could benefit from a partnership with the local agricultural community. There are a number of specialty crops and micro-climatic specific topics that could be explored. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9`h, 2012 Business Arising Discussion on the open house for the bridge works proposed for Cobbledick and East Townline. Open House was this afternoon and evening 4-8 at Newcastle Community Hall. Information packages from the meeting-were distributed to the group. There has been a misinterpretation of the comments of the Agriculture Advisory Committee based on the sidewalk discussion that went on at the last meeting. It was not that there should be no pedestrian or cycling access/accommodation but rather that the lanes should be wide enough to allow for farm machinery that is 18 to 20' in width. Which means the width of the bridge should be 40' rather than the 33' (10 metres) suggested. The current bridge has lasted 53 years the next bridge should be built to anticipate the next 60 years. The other issue from the meeting was the other EA that is occurring at the same time regarding the interchange improvements at Waverly, Liberty, Lamb's/Bennett, 35/115, Mill Street and Newtonville Road, many of these have agricultural impacts and the consultant/MTO have been scheduled to attend the May meeting of the AACC to discuss. Comments on the work that was presented are due March 12`h; you can submit your comments directly to tyler.drygas(q)urs.com Make sure when you submit your comments that you are clear which EA you are referring to. Council Referrals— None. Councillor Traill was in attendance and Gary invited Councillor Traill to address the group. Councillor Traill is the ward,Councillor for Ward 3 and between Ward 3 and Ward 4 (Councillor Partner) it is the majority of the agricultural base of the Municipality. One of the items in Councillor Traill's election platform was reform of the agricultural zoning by- law. Councillor Traill indicated that the agricultural zoning has not been updated since the 1980's and believes that it could address secondary and accessory uses better. She is proposing that Planning expedite the process for updating the zoning by-law. Feedback from the agricultural community is integral to the process, it is not a minor undertaking and she would like to know the Committee's opinion. There was discussion on specific examples where a broader definition of secondary or accessory would have been beneficial to the applicants; however, there was also caution from the members of the AACC. It really goes to the definition of what is a farmer, agri-tourism where it includes value-added is generally accepted but agri-entertainment is a different issue. It is the sustainability of the best soil the members are concerned about. Accessory could be many things from grain elevators, greenhouses, mechanic shop, nursery, retail outlet, or horse boarding to a restaurant. When does it become industry and commercial? There was discussion on the many illegal businesses in the countryside and that just because they were not conforming did not mean they should be legalized. Discussion on some commercial operations such equipment suppliers being in agricultural zones, but their major business is the residential and commercial market. Also an understanding that if the equipment supplier were only for agriculture they most likely would not survive as a viable operation so how do you define and restrict on certain aspects. Discussion on the reuse of barn structures for other purposes to retain them as part of the landscape but repurpose them. Marlene indicated that some barns have storage while others have major factories inside (such as in Waterloo on Mennonite farms). There is a difference between secondary uses to primary agriculture and creating a use that is not currently part of the farm operations (e.g. hosting weddings). Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9`h, 2012 Questions from committee members on the broader context, how the ORM plays in? Faye indicated that the ORM had an Official Plan amendment to bring the Official Plan into conformity with the Plan and then the Zoning By-law was passed to implement the O.P. policies. The ORM Zoning By-law was passed by both Council and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. It was written with the intent that when the Greenbelt conformity exercise for the Official Plan is implemented then the zoning will follow using the definitions and general provisions that are already set out in the ORM Zoning By-law. The Greenbelt Conformity exercise is underway as part of the Official Plan review and will have to bring the existing policies into conformity with the Greenbelt Plan and Amendment 114 to the Durham Region Official Plan. Councillor Traill would like to see this process expedited to bring forward the zoning sooner, this will require a shifting of priorities in the Planning Services Department and their work schedule. Councillor Traill will be bringing forward a resolution about this to the Feb 27th GPA meeting, she wanted the committee to know what was coming as they will be consulted and are integral to the process. Further discussion on the public involvement aspects, the majority of rural residents are not involved in agriculture but will also be invited to comment. Often the uses non-agriculture rural residents want are not compatible with agriculture. When introducing new uses on or off farm in the rural areas the neighbours are affected and need to be consulted and there needs to be respect for what is in the best interests of protecting the agricultural resources (the soil) and the farm including its smells and practices (crop protection), etc. Liaison Reports DAAC— Eric provided and update on the meeting, the DAAC tour this year will be September 12th near Uxbridge, the format will be different. There will be one location with 3 stations, more of a technology basis and also inviting suppliers, allowing people to get into the machinery, etc. Presentation at the DAAC meeting by Legal regarding the "melding" of property if held in the same names when side by side. This can cause issues when you go to sell the property or obtain building permits, etc. Brenda provided some insights from first-hand knowledge. DRFA— No new information to report. CBOT—Sheila is working on a roundtable discussion with new Minister of Agriculture, March/April timeline. Roger Anderson luncheon on February 16th at noon at Rickard complex. Other Business Open House on Clarington Wind Farm at Newcastle Community Hall on Feb 23`d 4-8 p.m. The Municipality is a commenting agency and does not have approval authority over the applications under the Green Energy Act. Leader Resources has a contract with Ontario Power Authority to provide 10 megawatts (4 turbines) the location of the turbines is proposed to be 1 on Elliott Road south of the 1St Concession (north of railway) and 3 on Lancaster Road north of Lakeshore (south of railway). Commercial Vehicle Inspection EA- meeting held on January 23`d the preferred location is east of the Clarke/Port Hope Townline on the north side (across from the On Route service centre). Farmland Preservation Forum at University of Guelph on Feb 17th, Faye is a speaker on the Land Use panel about competing priorities and how to balance. Faye is to address urban growth, another panel member will address natural environment, and other aggregate Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9th, 2012 resources. Two questions will be posed to the panel members after the presentations. The questions are "If you could change one policy what would it be?" "What trend gives you hope?" Committee members provided Faye with their answers to the questions. Faye will bring her presentation to a future meeting, the focus of her presentation will be the land between Bowmanville/Newcastle as a microcosm of the failure of provincial policy to protect agriculture (whitebelt, and yet some of best agricultural land in Ontario/Canada). The high production yields of the area, innovative enterprises like Algoma, Wilmot Orchards (blueberries), Bragg Birdseed, the AACC resolution on the Official Plan and how it should address the whitebelt and maintain firm urban boundaries. Future Agendas Rick Pigeon will be requested to attend in April, to discuss building permit processes. URS/MTO has requested to attend May meeting regarding the interchanges along the 401. Eric Bowman moved to adjourn. CARRIED Next Meeting March 8th, 2012 Fred Horvath will attend in March regarding ditch maintenance, dog strangling vine, etc. Tom Vendrasco is also interested in attending to discuss "commercial fill'...is it an agricultural practice/use and what type of fill are farmers looking for. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 91h, 2012