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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-10Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, November 10, 2022 Members Present: Eric Bowman John Cartwright Jordan McKay Tom Barrie Henry Zekveld Brenda Metcalf Mitch Morawetz Ben Eastman Don Rickard Councillor Zwart Regrets: Ryan Cullen, Jennifer Knox Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid, Sylvia Jennings - Planning & Infrastructure Services Department Guests: Slav Potrykus, Brett Novak — Public Works Department Observers: Richard Rekker; William Kydd; Stacey Jibb, Invest Durham; Heide Kraus; Jeff Kelso; Participation in the meeting was either in person at the Municipal Administrative Centre or online (via MSTeams). Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. Eric welcomed Faye Langmaid and extended sincere gratitude on behalf of the Committee for her many years of service both as staff liaison to the Committee and as a municipal staff person. He noted that Faye has been a dedicated supporter of agriculture in Clarington that has been appreciated by the community for many years. He wished her well in her retirement. Declarations of Interest None Adoption of Agenda 022-021 Moved by Henry Zekveld, seconded by Tom Barrie That the Agenda for November 10, 2022, be adopted. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10, 2022 Approval of Minutes 022-022 Moved by Councillor Zwart, seconded by Brenda Metcalf That the minutes of the October 13, 2022, meeting be approved. Carried Presentations None Delegations None Business Arisina from Minutes 2023 — 2026 Committee Applications: Six committee members are at the end of their four-year term. Applications for the 2023 — 2026 term are now open. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2022, at 12 pm. Applications are available online. Contact the Clerks Division with questions and for assistance applying. The ratification of appointments by Council will occur on January 23, 2023. Jordan suggested that Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) should have a dedicated seat for a Durham Farm Fresh representative and advised that the proposal is being discussed with Regional staff for consideration when DAAC next reviews their Terms of Reference. Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals DAAC 2022 Farm Tour Update: (Report #2022-INFO-83) Tom provided an update later in the meeting during the liaison reports. Concern regarding Fleabane and the Impact on Local Agriculture: A concern was brought forward by Jim Abernathy on behalf of a local farmer respecting developer - owned land that isn't yet under construction, isn't being actively farmed, and isn't being maintained. Weeds, such as fleabane, which is showing resistance to weed control measures, are growing on these properties and spreading to surrounding farms. Swift by-law enforcement action is requested at points in the year when weeds are going to seed. Potential suggestions to consider include: a weed management policy that is broader than current by-laws and is a condition of development approval; a land management plan as a requirement of development approval; and directly contacting the property owner immediately upon complaint in a less formal manner. The committee suggested that by time the problem is known, weed spread is often quite extensive. They also noted that abandoned properties are of greater concern, and it can be difficult to tame a property once it's entirely vacant and untamed. The Committee requested that representatives of Ministry of Transportation be invited to attend a future Committee meeting to discuss the potential impacts of their vacant, unmaintained Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10, 2022 properties along Hwy 407 to agriculture. The committee suggests the term "weeds that are detrimental to carrying on normal farm processes" would be helpful in crafting additional policies, rather than referring only to noxious weeds. Notice of Release of Final Study Report regarding Ontario's Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Prime Agricultural Areas: Earlier this year, Pam Duesling and Emily Sousa presented to the Committee their early findings on best practices related to OMAFRA's Permitted Uses in Prime Agricultural Areas. The University of Guelph study has now been finalized and has been circulated to the Committee. The report shares best practices for municipalities and farm stakeholders regarding On -Farm Diversified Uses (OFDU). It lays out a pre -consultation tool that includes five tests for OFDU compatibility. The report is extensive and includes multiple recommendations for various stakeholders. Amy will pass along a summary of the report from the authors. The authors are also hosting a webinar that is open to all on December 1, 2022, from 10- 11:30am. Register to attend at https://ofa.on.ca/communityofpractice/. The study will inform the work the Committee and the Municipality is undertaking regarding OFDUs. Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Provincial News Release): Staff shared the province's October 25, 2022 announcement of Bill 23 with the Committee in advance of the meeting. The Committee was informed that with the announcement, numerous public consultations were initiated through the environmental registry with comments deadlines ranging from November 24 to December 30. Staff are in the early process of analyzing their impact. Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Greenbelt (Provincial Statement): Staff shared with the Committee in advance of the meeting the province's November 4, 2022 announcement of a 30-day consultation on proposed changes to the Greenbelt. The Committee viewed the consultation map showing the location of the land area located in Clarington at the northeast corner of Nash and Hancock Rd in Courtice proposed for removal from the Greenbelt. The Committee discussed this parcel and sought clarity on the difference between Greenbelt land removal and the Settlement Area Boundary Expansions being proposed by the Region of Durham as part of Envision Durham. They suggested that this land area is not particularly concerning from an agricultural perspective as it is close to development and the 418 and it is not high -quality agricultural land. Liaison Reports Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee: Tom shared highlights from the November 8, 2022, DAAC meeting and the Annual Farm Tour. DAAC has formed a subcommittee to discuss the development of an educational "Agriculture 101" for the new Regional Council. Regarding the farm tour, Tom noted that there was great turnout, and they received many favourable comments from attendees. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Mitch shared highlights from the Annual General Meeting held on October 18, 2022. It was well attended, and Martin Straathof from Ontario Farmland Trust spoke about the accelerated rate of farm land loss being seen in Ontario. Regional staff provided an update on what they're working on as part of Envision Durham. The OFA AGM will be held in London on November 21 and 22, Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10, 2022 2022. The next DRFA meeting will be November 15, 2022, at which the executive for the 2023-2024 term will be elected. Durham Farm Connections: The Celebrate Agriculture Gala was on October 27, 2022. The event raised just over $14,000. 248 tickets were sold, and Brenda noted the challenge for next year is finding a venue that can accommodate more attendees. DFC is encouraging feedback on this year's event to inform planning for 2023. Clarington Board of Trade: No updates. New Business 2023 Committee Meeting Schedule: The first meeting in the new year will be Jan 12, 2023, and will continue on every second Thursday evening, with the exception of August when the meeting is held the fourth Thursday and there is no September meeting. Amy will circulate the schedule. Region of Durham Notice of Draft Settlement Area Boundary Expansions and Area Municipal Growth Allocations: The Committee was informed that earlier that day, the Region announced initiation the second phase of the Envision Durham Growth Management Study. The announcement includes a Regional information report and draft mapping showing the extent and location of draft Settlement Area Boundary Expansions (SABEs). A consultation period has now opened. The Committee viewed the Envision Durham webpage in order to familiarize themselves where the consultation information could be found, including the interactive map viewer. Staff shared the local data included in the Regional information report on the population growth, employment growth and land area of proposed SABEs. No comment deadline has been issued at this time. However, the Committee was advised that the Report indicates that final boundary expansions will be put forward to council with the new Regional Official Plan early in the new year. Staff will begin a process of analyzing the impact of the Region's release. John Cartwright moved to adjourn. Next Meeting December 8, 2022 @ 7:30 pm (Hybrid format) Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Meeting Room 1 C or virtual via MS Teams Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10, 2022