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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-11* Subject to Advisory Committee approval * Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 11, 2025 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Councillor Margaret Zwart, Eric Bowman, Tom Barrie, John Cartwright, Richard Rekker, Brad Found, Craig Rickard, Mitch Morawetz (DRFA) Regrets: Jennifer Knox, Lloyd Vandergaast Staff Present: Sylvia Jennings, David Perkins – Planning and Infrastructure Services; Glen Macfarlane – Economic Development Guests: Jonathan Hack, Asya Bidordinova – Sierra Planning & Management 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed everyone to the meeting with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None. 4. Approval of Minutes of November 13, 2025 An amendment to the November 13, 2025, minutes was identified. The additional action items noted in 6a. were suggestions from the Committee as a whole. 025-024 Moved by E. Bowman seconded by B. Found That the Minutes of the November 13, 2025 meeting, as amended, be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations 5a. Community Improvement Plans - John Hack & Asya Bidordinova – Sierra Planning and Management John Hack provided a presentation on Community Improvement Programs (CIPs) in the Municipality of Clarington. The Municipality is currently working with Sierra Planning to update its CIP program. A CIP is a legislated instrument of the Planning Act that allows municipalities to provide grants to property owners to make investments in their properties that will benefit the public interest, such as improving Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 11, 2025 brownfield or heritage properties. Municipalities specify what improvements can be done with a CIP, which portions of the municipality are eligible, and how much funding is available. Within Clarington, the Economic Development department is responsible for administering the CIP program. Grants are available for specific locations with the urban centres, but there are currently no programs available in rural areas. The program is being reviewed to address emerging needs and potentially expand the CIP Area to include all of Clarington. The CIP review is considering grants for investment in downtown cores, heritage preservation, commercial development, affordable and attainable housing, employment lands, and agricultural lands. Sierra Planning has begun background research, including reviewing opportunities and challenges for investment in agriculture such as streamlining regulations and approvals, increasing agrifood processing capacity, and improving infrastructure like broadband. J. Hack answered questions from Committee members. CIP funding comes from taxpayer money and is put into a capital reserve fund. The budget for a CIP is established in advance and can only be used for grants, not administrative costs. The implementation process for CIPs can be difficult, so Sierra Planning will work closely with the Municipality to develop an implementation plan. Permissions for on- farm diversified uses were discussed, and how the CIP program could support them in the interim before expanded permissions are given through the Official Plan Review. Committee members suggested that an agricultural CIP could be used to support the rural landscape by preserving historical barns or other agricultural landscapes, or support on-farm diversified uses. Committee members raised that agricultural issues like preserving farmland appear to be in conflict with other goals such as housing and industrial development. A survey regarding the CIP Update will be launched in January. It will be shared with the Committee, who are encouraged to share it with the broader agricultural community to confirm interest in an agricultural CIP. G. Macfarlane will report back to the Committee with the final recommendations for the CIP program. H. Zekveld thanked J. Hack, A. Bidordinova and G. Macfarlane for their presentation. 6. Business Arising from the Minutes None. 7. Communications 7a. Committee Vacancy still accepting applications One application has been received to date to fill the vacancy on the Committee. The deadline for applications is December 23, 2025. The new member will be confirmed at the February 23, 2026 Council meeting. Applicants will be invited to attend the January AACC meeting where the Terms of Reference and Scope of the Committee will be reviewed. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 11, 2025 7b. Motion at General Government Committee regarding Farm Worker Dwellings and the Ontario Building Code A motion was passed at the General Government Committee requesting that the Ontario Fire Marshal reconsider classifying agricultural buildings as rooming houses in the Fire Code, and to ensure consistent application of the Fire Code for housing agricultural workers. 7c. Report from Region of Durham regarding Durham Resilient Agricultural Lands Program - Marginal Lands Initiative Local conservation authorities and Durham Region are leading the Durham Resilient Agricultural Lands Program to provide farmers with financial assistance to convert lands with marginal agricultural productivity to woodlands or wetlands. The program will apply for 2026 and 2027. C. Rickard suggested that these types of programs may be contrary to housing priorities. 7d. 2026 AACC Meeting Calendar S. Jennings shared the 2026 AAAC Meeting Schedule 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee – T. Barrie At the December meeting, Paul Wirch provided a presentation about the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan. It includes 1500 hectares of land east of the proposed Pickering airport, most of which is agricultural and 70% of which is currently owned by developers. The 2026 farm tour was discussed, with a suggestion that it should be hosted in Clarington. There will be a climate change workshop on January 12, 2026, 10:00 – 2:30 at the Durham Regional Headquarters and is open to everyone. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture (DRFA) – M. Morawetz The DRFA is concerned about the loss of farmland in Northeast Pickering. There was a presentation on workplace safety, and prevention services spoke about farm safety and different initiatives available. Themes included farm employees and employer responsibility. DRFA members are encouraged to check out the Workplace Safety and Prevention Servies website. The OFA Convention and Annual General meeting was held in Toronto in November. The theme was strength in unity. Tom Deans presented on farm transition planning and estate planning. 8c. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update – S. Jibb S. Jibb provided an update regarding the North Durham Agriculture Related and On-farm Diversified Uses Project via email. Scugog’s Planning Committee endorsed all Staff recommendations and adopted the Official Plan and Zoning by law amendments. If ratified at Council and the appeal period passes, the policies and project recommendations will be in effect in January. There has been strong interest from the agriculture community with several applications in the works. The Township of Brock is tracking towards having updated policies ready in Q1 of 2026. Staff will report back on any major changes between the original recommendations and what has been adopted by Council. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 11, 2025 9. New Business 9a. Port Perry Fairground B. Found noted that Scugog is considering selling the Port Perry Fairgrounds to a developer. Discussion ensued regarding applicability in Clarington. 9b. T.H.E.E. Tractor Parade of Lights B. Found noted that the T.H.E.E. Tractor Parade of Lights occurred on Wednesday December 3rd with the largest attendance he’s seen. 10. Adjournment 025-25 Moved by T. Barrie, Seconded by J. Cartwright That the meeting adjourn at 9:46 pm. Carried Next Meeting: January 8, 2026