Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

Glenn Portch (Chair), Jamie Fisher, Maura Romanelli and Sara Pralet

John Timmis, Vanessa Williams and Norm Richardson

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Kelly Cook (Planner) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held November 12, 2020, were approved as presented.

  • Kelly advised that policy planning staff's comments will be focused on the process and corresponding policies, and will be limited to the Soil Survey Addendum as comments were already provided on the Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) earlier this Fall. The comments submitted by Maura will be included with staff's comments as an appendix and will be consolidated by city development planning staff, for submission to the Joint Advisory Review Team.
  • Disappointment was expressed that comprehensive soil testing was not completed on the basis that the land was “disturbed” and therefore lacking an applicable Canada Land Inventory classification. The committee noted that the bulk of the land is likely still farmable. Discussion noted that even if soil testing were to take place (Land Evaluation) and the lands were determined not to be Class 1-3, there are still many additional factors to address in terms of the characteristics that apply to prime agricultural lands (Area Review).
  • Jamie noted that neither he or Vanessa have heard from the Region yet on the proposed modified Option 2 and added that a timeline update would be very helpful. Jamie advised that the Halton Federation of Agriculture was meeting with Curt Benson from the Region on Dec 17. Jamie was asked to provide an update at the January meeting.
  • Sarah advised that the first year has passed for the North Aldershot Fire Permit Pilot Program and is hopeful that it will become official in a month or two.
  • Councillor Bentivegna provided an update on the broadband issues in the rural area and advised that an application will be submitted in Jan/Feb 2021 with support letters from the Region and four municipalities for program funding. Glenn noted his interest in participating in this.

Next meeting: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 7 p.m. via Zoom