Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity for Halton Region to provide a submission regarding the proposed amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan as outlined in the Environmental Registry of Ontario posting ERO 019-6425. The proposed amendment revises the Escarpment Protection Area Permitted Use policies in Part 1.4.3.2 to enable on-farm diversified uses and agricultural related uses outside of prime agricultural areas and amends the Part 2.7 policies respecting development affecting natural heritage. The amendment also includes a proposed change to Part I Land Use policies to allow maple sugar harvesting as a permitted use in the Escarpment Natural designation. The Region’s comments on the proposed policy changes in the amendment are found below.

Amendment to broaden agricultural permissions in the Escarpment Protection Area

Through the ERO posting, the Niagara Escarpment Plan is proposed to be amended to permit on-farm diversified land uses on lands outside of prime agricultural areas.

Regional staff are pleased to see that the Province has listened to the concerns of Halton’s agricultural community and is advancing an amendment to allow the opportunity for the development of on-farm diversified uses and agricultural-related uses outside of prime agricultural areas in the Escarpment Protection Area. Halton Region staff support this policy amendment and recommends that it is approved expeditiously in order to support long-term farm viability and a healthy and robust agricultural system in the Niagara Escarpment.

Amendment regarding Development Affecting Natural Heritage

The amendment also proposes to revise Part 2.7 of the Niagara Escarpment Plan with a new subsection (2.7.2 f)) to enable expansion of existing agricultural uses, agriculture-related uses and on-farm diversified uses in key features (outside of wetlands), subject to meeting criteria. It also considers permissions for these uses in Earth Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs), subject to meeting development criteria and conditions.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020), Greenbelt Plan (2017), and the existing policy framework Natural Heritage System in Halton Region’s Official Plan permit the expansion or alterations of existing buildings and structures for agricultural uses provided certain criteria are met but do not permit the expansion of an existing agricultural uses, agriculture-related uses or on-farm diversified uses. Therefore, Regional staff recommend that the proposed subsection 2.7.2 f) be revised to be consistent with the policy wording in Section 4.5.5 of the Greenbelt Plan (2017). This will enable expansion or alterations of existing agricultural buildings and structures if there is no reasonable alternative and the expansion has minimal impact to the key feature and protects the Niagara Escarpment Natural Area.

In addition, Halton’s Official Plan permits agricultural operations within the Region’s Natural Heritage System where the only key feature is a significant Earth Science ANSI, which is consistent with the approach that is being proposed in the amendment. As such, Halton Region staff support a policy revision to the Niagara Escarpment Plan that would enable consideration of agricultural uses in Earth Science ANSIs, subject to meeting criteria, and only where it is a stand-alone key feature.

Amendment regarding Permitted Uses in the Escarpment Natural Designation

Halton Region staff also support the proposed policy change to subsection 1.3.3 of the Niagara Escarpment Plan to include maple sugar harvesting (excluding buildings and structures) as a permitted use in the Escarpment Natural Area which enables this agricultural activity to be exempt from a Development Permit Application under O.Reg 828/90. This housekeeping amendment is consistent with the objectives of the Natural Area designation and clarifies that landowners are able to tap maple trees for harvesting without need for a Development Permit.

Future Phase 2 Amendment

The Initial Staff Report dated November 16, 2022 included in the ERO posting indicates that a Phase 2 amendment will be undertaken following further analysis and consultation on additional agricultural policy topic areas, including Part 2.8 winery policies, agricultural uses in key natural heritage features, and policy enhancements to support the Agricultural System in the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area. Halton Region staff would like an opportunity to be consulted on these policy topics areas to help support agricultural and natural heritage systems in Halton.

This letter represents Halton Region’s submission in response to ERO Posting No. 019-6425 on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Regional staff would be pleased to discuss or provide further information on our submission as required and at your convenience.