This is a small summary ERO…

ERO number

019-6813

Comment ID

85962

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This is a small summary
ERO 019-6813 places to grow provincial policy statement
Is being proposed and closes June 5th
Point 1- this policy includes prime agricultural mapping from OMAFRA which is already showing up when a property is searched for real estate purchase or sale. Therefore this is not a proposal it is already been created and being used. If this is a proposal these maps should be removed from OMAFRA website find a property.
Point2- our farm property according to city of burlington and halton region has been classified as NEC rural land not prime agriculture
Point3- this PROPOSED policy says that there are benefits being in Prime Ag designation such as OFDUs, ARUs, 2 to 3 lot creations or severances.
However, since we are in NEC we can not take advantage of these benefits as NEC regulation will not allow it. So even though the province is trying to help farms it is not helping farms in the NEC area, homes are not being built.
*********Point4- therefore, we were never notified that we became prime ag designation and WE WOULD LIKE THIS DESIGNATION REMOVED FROM OUR PROPERTY and turned back to rural as there is more permissions in rural designation if we had to ever sell our property and opens up the door to potential purchasers
Point5- if there was a possible solution to NEC Regulation to what specifies a development permit that would help solve the dilemma in NEC . It would also cut back on RED TAPE by making it easier for NEC as there is a backlog in getting permits from NEC. Right now NEC regulation requires development permit for OFDU, ARU, Agricultural building , internet road connections etc…
Perhaps these regulations can be removed by not considering them as development?
******If this proposed policy is to create more homes it does not in the NEC area so please rethink*********
Another solution comes to mind.
Due to the fact that there are multiple ministries the rural lands need a rural secretariat that can come up with a rural secretariat solution. We can bring in more homes on farms with ARUs that would augment farming income and housing. From speaking with other farm friends and families if we want farming to successfully continue we need farm help housing as there is a shortage. As well bringing in extra income to the farm with additional small housing would be very welcomed and will benefit farm succession and viability. It would also help your housing shortages. The rural area wants to help and wants to engage with the province and offer possible solutions with a rural perspective.