1.On pg.22 of the Draft…

1.On pg.22 of the Draft Implementation Procedure document, last sentence, it is stated that the greater the extent of the natural heritage features and areas in an area, the lower the LEAR score, and the less likely the area would be to be identified as a prime agricultural area. Yet, the Draft Agricultural Land Base Map designates Oak Ridges Moraine Natural Core Areas, which are the key/principal functional elements of the Natural Heritage System on the ORM, as prime agricultural areas. There are also significant valleylands and wetlands inside the Greenbelt Plan, that fulfil critical hydrological and ecological functions that should or would never be farmed – they should be excluded from the Prime Agricultural land base. Although there was a strong voice during the Provincial Plan review for the equal protection of agricultural lands, it would seem logical that unfarmed lands with lower LEAR scores, and which contains significant natural heritage resources, be excluded.

2. The hamlet of Kinsale should be identified as a rural hamlet, with a yellow dot on the Draft Agricultural Land Base Map.

3.The proposed Candidate areas reflected on the Agricultural Land Base, located south of the

hamlet of Kinsale and north of Concession 5 is designated “Major Open Space” in the Durham Region Official Plan and covered by significant woodlands and wetland complexes, forming part of an east/west wildlife corridor (linking to the Greenwood Conservation Area) along the East Duffins Creek. These features, coupled with a number of rural estate developments (Barclay Estates on Sideline 4 and Staxton Glen on Salem Road) makes this area highly unlikely for agricultural purposes.

4.It is unclear what the expectations are for mapping the agri-food network in municipal planning documents, because many of its elements are fluent/changing, and contingent upon economics. The inclusion of Official Plan policies and municipal support for and participation in programs to assist, strengthen, and promote the agri-food network are supported, but the mapping of the agri-food network elements should be limited to information only- to entrench it in policy would be impractical.

[Original Comment ID: 210919]