King Township Phone: 905.833…

King Township Phone: 905.833.5321

2075 King Road Fax: 905.833.2300

King City, Ontario Website: www.king.ca

Canada L7B 1A1

October 4, 2017

Helma Geerts

Policy Advisor

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Policy Division

Food Safety and Environmental Policy Branch

1 Stone Road West, Floor 2

Guelph ON N1G 4Y2

Email: helma.geerts@ontario.ca

RE: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs EBR Posting “Release of draft Agricultural System Mapping and Implementation Procedures for consultation”

(EBR Number 013-0968)

Ms. Geerts:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the release of the draft Agricultural System mapping and Implementation Procedure. Please accept the following as King Township Planning Department’s comments on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs EBR Posting “Release of draft Agricultural System mapping and Implementation Procedures for consultation” (EBR Number 013-0968). The Planning Department reserves the opportunity to provide additional comments and/or modify the comments contained herein as the review of the Agricultural System Mapping progresses.

Agricultural System Mapping & Implementation Procedures

Comments:

1. The Province is commended on adopting a holistic approach to agriculture through the

development of the Agricultural System.

2. Planning staff recognize that there will be further opportunity to review the boundaries of the draft agricultural system, prime agricultural areas, and candidate areas through the

municipal comprehensive review process with the Region of York and in consultation with

the Province. Below are six recommended refinements that should be considered.

3. Consideration should be given to amending the agricultural land base mapping to include

known farms in the prime agricultural areas where they are located in the Oak Ridges

Moraine Natural Core Areas. Including these farms in the prime agricultural area would

facilitate on-farm diversified uses and agriculturally related uses. Section 11(4) of the

ORMCP only permits on-farm diversified uses and the agriculture-related uses in prime

agricultural areas in the Natural Core Areas. By excluding the Natural Core Areas of the

ORM in the mapping of the prime agricultural areas it may limit the opportunities for

continued viable agriculture on known farms. The Planning Department can assist in

identifying known farms in the Natural Core Area in King Township.

Specific Mapping Refinements:

1. That the Province remove the lands shown as “Area 1” (Cardinal Golf Course) on Appendix A from the Prime Agricultural Area as the lands currently support a major recreational use,

being a golf course which is not permitted in the Prime Agricultural Area and represents a conflict.

2. That the Province removes the lands shown as “Area 2” (Carrying Place) on Appendix A from the Prime Agricultural Area as the lands currently support an existing estate subdivision

on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

3. That the Province remove the lands shown as “Area 3” (south Kettleby) on Appendix A from the Prime Agricultural Area as the lands currently support a range of existing rural uses.

4. That the Province remove the lands shown as “Area 4” (King Rd. & Jane St.) on Appendix A from the Prime Agricultural Area as the lands currently support an existing commercial use,

being the Kingbridge Centre.

5. That the Province remove the lands shown as “Area 5” (Western Area) on Appendix A from the Prime Agricultural Area as the lands currently support a mix of agricultural uses, rural residential strip development, and commercial uses.

Township Planning staff looks forward to continuing its participation in this review and to our comments and recommendations being considered and addressed. We look forward to hearing

from you in this regard.

Yours sincerely,

Kristen Harrison, MCIP, RPP

Planner - Policy

Appendix A: Recommended Refinements to the Prime Agricultural Designation

cc. Howard Friedman, Interim Director of Planning

Gaspare Ritacca, Manager of Planning and Development

Mayor Pellegrini and Members of Council

Susan Plamondon, Chief Administrative Officer

Ross Lashbrook, Manager, Community Planning and Development at Ontario Ministry of

Municipal Affairs

[Original Comment ID: 211100]