Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-14 Minutes AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE of CLARINGTON MEETING th THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf Tom Barrie Elgin Greenham Les Caswell Eric Bowman Ted Watson Don Rickard Councillor Partner REGRETS: Jenni Knox, Mary Ann Found, Henry Zekveld STAFF: Faye Langmaid, GUESTS: Brian West Project Manager, TransCanada Pipeline Janice Badgley Senior Community Relations Advisor Bev Wilton Project Coordinator, LandSolutions Mike Wilfley Senior Environmental Planner Adrienne Fournier, ASC Public Relations Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. Adoption of Agenda 015-12 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Eric Bowman That the Agenda for May14 th, 2015 be adopted CARRIED Approval of Minutes 015-13 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Ted Watson April 9, 2015 meeting be approved th CARRIED Guest: TransCanada Pipeline, East Mainline Brian West provided an overview of the project, essentially TransCanada are seeking approval for a new pipeline corridor (mostly adjacent to the existing corridor) across Southern Ontario including 32 kilometres in Clarington. The pipeline enters Clarington th north of the 7 Concession and traverses the rural area exiting Clarington north of Highway 2 at the eastern limit. The proposed pipeline will primarily follow the existing route where TransCanada currently operates two natural gas pipelines. TransCanada has indicated that where possible, the right of way for the proposed pipeline will be located adjacent to the existing corridor. However, a number of deviations are proposed to address topography, land owner concerns, residential homes, and natural features. The right of way footprint for construction is 42 metres wide, while the easement will be 18 to 26 metres. In Clarington there is also a Compressor Station on Langmaid Road which has major new building and infrastructure to support the new pipeline. In response to questions from Committee members, it was learned that there is distribution all along the system, 40% of the gas coming into the system at Markham is distributed by Belleville. The pipe has a wall thickness of 9 mm and is under 700 psi. Where lines cross the newer pipe always goes below the existing, what was there first has priority and deeper is safer. There are a couple of members that have experience with TransCanada and Enbridge pipelines on their property. The concern is with coordination with the cropping including the archeological survey, damage to the fields (field-rig matts are recommended) and rerouted when encountered and local contractors (or the contractor that installed the tile) should be used. Members stressed better communication with the farmers working the land is needed to ensure that the timing works. Business Arising from Minutes Greenbelt Review process Many of the members attended the meeting in Newcastle th on May 4. There was disappointment by members with the lack of representation from OMAFRA. The group is pleased with the report that has been endorsed by Council and submitted as Clarington comments. Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Provincial review - Mitch had provided an e-mail to the group asking for comments on the key proposed changes: Key changes proposed: - Inclusion of a requirement for municipalities to apply MDS to development on existing lots of record unless they adopt Zoning By-law provisions to exempt this requirement. - Expanding the exemption from MDS to address not only catastrophes, but to include reconstruction for other reasons. The committee members were divided in their opinions on the whether existing lots of record should be exempted from MDS. They all agreed that MDS should not apply when catastrophes (e.g. fire) occurs. th The Province is accepting comments until May 20 on the proposed changes. And members are encouraged to submit on the EBR posting. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 14, 2015 Correspondence, etc. Clarington Report PSD-026-14, Part 1 of comments on the 4-Plan review, the committee provided a letter to Council in support and Eric as Vice-Chair attended and responded to questions. Letter submitted to EBR posting on Ontario Pollinator Health about the restrictions proposed in the regulations. Letter sent to Chris Darling thanking him for attending meeting and offering services of committee when advice on agricultural items is required. Liaison Reports DAAC DAAC Tour is set for September 18, 2015, Windermere Farms. Local Food stth, Week is June 1 to 7it is geared towards raising awareness and promotion of buying local. Beginning stages of planning a booth at Royal Winter Fair. Economic Development staff recently toured the new DelMonte food processing facility in Oshawa, working on connecting to local producers. th DRFA Celebrate Agriculture is October 29, save the date cards were distributed. th September 26 is the date for the High School Program from Farm Connections. Brenda and Mary Ann will be looking for volunteers. Clarington Board of Trade Don was congratulated on his election as President. The Clarington Board of Trade is loo space, office for local businesses that operate out of home addresses. Other Business Sub-committee to formulate comments on the Official Plan Review was struck of Ted Watson and Jenni Knox. If others have comments get them to Ted and Jenni. Future Agendas Suggestion that one of the groups protesting treatment of animals be invited so that they could provide an understanding of how they would like farming and animal treatment to occur. Suggestion that one of the local brewers be invited to talk about hops, or a hop supplier. July 407 Pauline VanRoon and Chris Brown Communications will attend a future meeting. John Cartwright moved to Adjourn th Next Meeting, June 11, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal Administrative Office Lisa Backus, Planning Services on Official Plan th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 14, 2015