Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Time:	7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.
Location:	Room 305, Level 3, City Hall 426 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario

---

1.

Members Present:

Glenn Portch (Chair), Vanessa Warren, Jamie Fisher, John Timmis, Norm Richardson and Sarah Pralet

2.

Others Present:

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Kelly Cook (Planner) and Briar Allison (Clerk) 

3.

Regrets:

Maura Romanelli and David Stanyar

4.

Declarations of Interest:

None

5.

Approval of Minutes:

5.1

Approve minutes from meeting held December 11, 2019

On motion, the minutes from the meeting of December 11, 2019 were approved as presented.

6.

Delegation(s):

None

7.

Regular Items:

7.1

Planner update

a.

SharePoint (digital online file sharing)

Kelly has been making efforts to bring SharePoint to the committee for better online file sharing.

b.

BARAAC Official Plan recommendations (Burlington & Halton)

The committee determined that the term "existing” agricultural use is unclear in Official Plan policy.

Action: Kelly to draft a change in the recommendations to communicate this concern. 

The committee agreed that a statement outlining the need to further discuss Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) policies is needed in the recommendations.

Action: Kelly to draft an addition to the recommendations to communicate this concern and will circulate a final version of the document for committee approval, via Clerks.

The recommendation to consider clarifying the term ‘horticultural trade use’ was removed as it did not offer much value.

Motion: Approve the recommendations as presented pending the two additions to be circulated for approval via e-mail. CARRIED

c.

Halton Region Official Plan review

Halton Region will bring 5 discussion papers forward to Regional Council for approval in May. This will mark the formal commencement of the public engagement process in relation to these subject areas.

d.

Halton Region EIA Guidelines review

Jamie offered insight on an ongoing discussion between the Halton Region Federation of Agriculture (HRFA) and Halton Region, in relation to EIAs and agriculture.

Action: Jamie to bring a request for support for a draft motion to bring to City Council, which would include a request to bring the motion forward to Regional Council requesting more information from Regional planning staff. Kelly to review Provincial policies relating to EIAs and prepare a summary to support the committees review and discussion of the draft motion. 

e.

Rural Cycling update

Kelly met with Dan Ozimkovic, Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee staff liaison, to discuss the conflict between cyclists and vehicles on the road. The date June 20th, 2020 was offered up to the committee for a potential open house which will aim to educate sharing the road and the Rural Active Transportation Strategy. Kelly will attend the next Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee meeting and suggest the push of rural routes for cyclists on behalf of the committee.

Action: Briar to add "Rural Cycling update" to the next committee meeting to allow for further discussion.

f.

Nutrient Management Act - Proposed Changes to General Regulation - Anaerobic Digestion

Kelly provided an update. No comments were made from the committee.

g.

Rural Economic Development - expansion of natural gas infrastructure

Kelly provided an update. No comments were made from the committee.

h.

On Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation and Amendments to Records of Site Condition (Brownfields) Regulation

Kelly provided an update regarding a unique policy distinction made between agricultural uses and industrial uses in relation to greenhouses. No comments were made from the committee.

i.

National Building Code review

Kelly provided and update. No comments were made from the committee.

j.

Central Ontario Agricultural Conference - February 28, 2020

Kelly provided the event details to the committee.

8.

Other Business:

8.1

Change of March meeting date to accommodate staff presentation regarding Phase Two of the City's Climate Action Plan

Kelly advised that no change is currently required as the approach for Phase Two is still being determined. Kelly will report back once the approximate timing of Phase Two has been determined.

8.2

Next Steps for Advisory Committee Review 

Briar advised the committee that the advisory committee review report is set to go to the February 25, 2020 Council Workshop. No decisions will be made, only further discussions to gain feedback from members of Council and committee liaison staff.

8.3

Encouraging Stewardship

Vanessa offered the idea to the committee of a stewardship program. She identified Councillor Bentivegna's Ward 6 committee as an opportunity for potential collaboration with other members of the rural community. The committee also determined more background information was needed. 

Action: Angelo to invite the committee to attend a Ward 6 committee meeting to discuss the idea. Kelly to put together a summary of existing stewardship programs for the committee and Briar to add "encouraging stewardship" to the next committee meeting agenda to allow for further discussion.

9.

Adjournment:

Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Councillor Bentivegna left the meeting at 8:19 p.m.