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DEPUTATIONS REGARDING MOTION 20-G-104, THE STATUS OF MCLEAN MINISTER’S ZONING ORDER (MZO) - ORO-MEDONTE
Mayor Lehman noted that Ms. Emma Wismer and Mr. J. Hartman had withdrawn their deputation requests prior to the meeting.
1. Dr. Judy McLean Wismer discussed that her family has owned the subject property for almost 100 years. Dr. McLean Wismer provided clarification on a Ministry Zoning Order, noting that public forums and studies still need to be completed. She discussed the process undertaken including consultation with Mayor Lehman and member of Council for the Township of Oro-Medonte. Dr. McLean Wismer commented on her observation of people living in rural settings not having the opportunities for facilities for aging in place. She noted that Oro-Medonte Council voted unanimously on this matter. Dr. McLean Wismer provided details of the proposed facilities including the design concepts, parkland, trails and amenities and advised it would not be a suburban concept. She discussed consultations with the University of Guelph concerning innovations within the development, using the existing barn. Dr. McLean Wismer discussed the benefits of the proposed development including housing styles, green space, connectivity, and the jobs that would be created as a result.
2. Dr. Jim McLean addressed evolution and pressures of farmland and implications of protection farmland and the misunderstandings associated with farming. Dr. McLean discussed the rationale for their family to cease operations including their farm being vandalized and that the City of Barrie had installed a well on Johnson Street to close to their property which limited their field use for their cows in the area of the well. Dr. McLean commented on today’s farming practices and noted the reasons why a neighbouring farm has moved to farming trees. H noted that his family is not done with farming just will be doing it in different ways.
Members of Council asked questions of Dr. McLean Wismer and Dr. McLean and received responses.
3. Mr. Bernard Pope appeared to express his opposition to the proposed development of the McLean Farm located at 121 Penetanguishene Road, Oro Medonte. Mr. Pope noted that he is currently the Chair of the Ontario Farmland Trust at the University of Guelph and that he was representing a component of the agricultural community in Oro-Medonte and Springwater Townships in advocating for the protection of farmland. Mr. Pope commented on the importance of agriculture and the numerous sectors it affects. He discussed that he feels that the loss of farmland and the urban sprawl causes an increase in pollution and provided statistical information in this regard.
Mr. Pope spoke to his concerns associated with food security and the pandemic. He discussed the history of the McLean Farm and felt that the Mayor of Oro-Medonte had been misinformed that this farm was too small for modern farming. Mr. Pope provided his opinion that this farm could be sold or rented to another farm or a specialized farming operation and could be established keeping the land viable for food production.
Mr. Pope noted that he felt that previous administrations in Oro-Medonte saw the value in the preservation of the land only the east of the Penetanguishene Road for farming. He questioned the move to establish a housing development, roads and services that could potentially be an infrastructure burden to Barrie and Simcoe County.
Mr. Pope questioned if the Minister’s Zoning Order is issued, would Barrie be forced to expand boundaries against their studied Official Plan, where would the boundaries be, would the annexed lands in south Barrie not more than is needed for a long time and is this area not already planned and how would all the infrastructure be re-configured, especially the transportation component.
Mr. Pope discussed that he had spoken with Minster Ernie Hardeman about the protection of farmland and farming in the province. Mr. Pope discussed the use of urban boundaries as recommended in the Coordinated Plan Review and the protection of agricultural land for food production and noted that he felt that Penetanguishene Road is an established firm boundary. Mr. Pope noted his support for the content of the memo prepared by A. Miller, General Manager of Infrastructure and Growth Management on this matter and requested that members of Council oppose the requested Minister’s Order.
6. Jim Drury noted that he has been a farmer over 45 year and that he was in support of the information provided in the Memorandum from A. Miller, General Manager of Infrastructure and Growth Management. Mr. Drury discussed his concerns associated with the loss of farmland in support of development. He noted that farming is not a viable option if good agricultural land is not available and discussed the need to protect disappearing agricultural land as we owe it to future generations.
Members of Council asked questions of Mr. Drury and received a response from Mr. Drury.