City of Surrey. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes

Transcription

1 City of Surrey Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Executive Boardroom City Hall Avenue Surrey, B.C. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008 Time: 9:00 a.m. File: Present: Mike Bose - Chair D. Arnold B. Aulakh P. Harrison M. Hilmer Councillor Hunt Regrets: G. King S. VanKeulen B. Stewart, Environmental Advisory Committee Representative T. Pellett, Agricultural Land Commission Also Present: Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition Members: - Merlin Chatwin, Project Coordinator, Food Action Coalition - Deirdre Goudriaan (BC Healthy Communities) Staff Present: P. Heer, Planning & Development L. Pitcairn, Planning & Development P. Lau, Planning & Development R. Dubé, Engineering N. Stairs, Planning & Development R. Epp, Planning & Development L. Anderson, Legislative Services Agency Representatives: K. Zimmerman, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands A. ADOPTION OF AGENDA The following item was added to the agenda: E. 2 Tree cutting by-law. Moved by M. Hilmer Seconded by B. Aulakh That the agenda of the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting held on October 9, 2008, be adopted, as amended. B. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by B. Aulakh Seconded by M. Hilmer That the minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting held on September 4, 2008, be adopted. C. DELEGATIONS 1. Robert Arthurs, Manager, Procurement & Business Opportunities, 2010 Commerce Centre, BC Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, Ministry of Economic Development At the September 4, 2008 AAC meeting, the AAC passed the following resolution: That the August 15, 2008 Globe and Mail article entitled Officials plan to show off local produce be received and that a representative from the h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 1

2 2010 Commerce Centre be invited to the next Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting to address the issue further. Notice was received from the delegation to defer to November meeting. 2. Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition At the September 4, 2008 AAC meeting, the AAC passed the following resolution: That the Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition appear as a delegation to the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting in October, 2008 to discuss food action issues. Merlin Chatwin and Dierdre Doudriaan, Food Action Coalition ( FAC ), were in attendance to provide a brief PowerPoint presentation and to discuss various food action issues. Comments were as follows: The FAC was formed in 2005 and is made up of numerous organizations from the social service sector, government agencies and citizens of Surrey. At present, there is no representation from food producers. The FAC is guided by three main themes: to decrease hunger; increase local food system sustainability; and to promote the health of our citizens. Funding organizations include the United Way of the Lower Mainland, BC Healthy Communities and Fraser Health. The City s Parks, Recreation and Culture department has been one of the key partners since the beginning of the FAC, working hard to address food security. Food security is now listed among the social determinants of health and is clearly a determinant of a lot things, including dignity, equity and sustainable development. Food security ensures community members living in low income situations have access to healthy, fresh, culturally and dietary appropriate foods and decisions don t have to be made between cost and health. By being less dependant on food imports, the food secure community is better positioned to react to situations of natural disasters, fuel crisis or border closures. It creates a community that better understands and is connected to who produces its food, where it comes from and the whole process. This connection to the origins of the food, along with the ability to access healthy choices, creates a vibrant and healthy community, both economically and socially. Creating a food secure community is a big undertaking and the FAC has chosen food policy as the method to work towards community food security. In response to a needs assessment done in 2005, the FAC developed a set of food policy resources. A tool kit was developed that provided information for organizations to integrate food policies into their organizations and home (e.g. healthy meetings, buying local, supporting local food banks, etc.). h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 2

3 Since 2007, regular bi-weekly educational breakfast meetings have been held for individuals and organizations to enhance education on food security. The FAC also works in conjunction with the South Fraser Harvest Box to deliver good food boxes to citizens of Surrey. This is primarily for low income citizens but the program is open to anyone. The City s recreation centres and community schools serve as depots for this program. The FAC made a presentation to City Council on September 29, 2008 and identified four possible opportunities for the FAC: o FAC can develop a tailored City of Surrey tool kit; o Food security could be housed in the sustainability office at the City; o Assist with the development and promotion of a Food Policy Charter with the City of Surrey; and o Development of a Food Policy Advisory Committee (staff, council members and community members). It is imperative that any of the work done on a food policy charter is weighted towards the producers. Perhaps this would be better suited as an action plan of the Sustainability Charter that protects the ALR. The presentation to the AAC is to look at where the FAC work can in collaboration with the AAC (e.g. Flavours of Surrey event, the Farm Fresh Guide, etc.) and to gain an understanding of the realities of implementing ideas (such as those provided to Council) from a grower s perspective. A conversation regarding the logistical challenges of the Harvest Box ensued. It was noted that the food bank provides the vehicle to transport the boxes to schools and community centres, however they are unable to provide the cool storage that is needed for fresh produce in order to support healthy eating. Potential cool storage opportunities were provided to the delegation for follow-up. Further discussion was given regarding community gardens. noted that one of the real problems with community gardens in the past has been the general maintenance and upkeep. It is often found that the interest and commitment in community gardens fades over time. There has, however, been some renewed activity through graduate students who have been addressing urban agriculture. They found that charging a fee to participate encourages a greater attachment to the gardens. Many seniors have been going out to the gardens as mentors, volunteering their time and knowledge. The key factor is transportation and students at UBC are working to create vendor partnership cooperation in this regard. Sites underneath the Skytrain routes are being looked at. further noted that there are plans for community gardens for each of the community centres, organized by the City s Parks, Recreation and Culture department and non-profit agencies. The Chair thanked the delegation for their presentation and noted their participation at future Flavours of Surrey events. M. Bose left the meeting at 9:50 a.m. D. Arnold acted as Chair for the following item. h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 3

4 D. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 1. Application for a Non-Farm Use for Habitat Compensation Address: Street File No Lee-Anne Pitcairn, Planner, North Division, was in attendance to review her memo dated June 23, 2008 regarding the above subject line. Comments were as follows: The discussion regarding this item, held at the September 4, 2008 AAC meeting, noted concern with regard to the removal of land from agriculture with a restrictive covenant that states non-farm use versus fish habitat. An opportunity for dialogue to discuss the various farming uses that could still be available for the subject site (i.e. agri-forestry for leaves, nuts, etc. or ornamental plantings) should be sought with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. On principle alone, there is still concern with moving fish habitat from land zoned Industrial and relocating it to Agricultural land. Moved by P. Harrison Seconded by B. Aulakh That the AAC recommend to the General Manager Planning and Development that a dialogue be started with staff and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to discuss opportunities for agricultural uses within the proposed habitat area such as agri-forestry and ornamental plantings. M. Bose returned to the meeting at 10:04 a.m. and assumed Chair. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed OCP Amendment, NCP Amendment, Rezoning and Development Permit to allow for 22 Single Family Residential Lots and a 15 Unit Townhouse Development File No Pat Lau, Planner, was in attendance to review her memo dated September 16, 2008 regarding the above subject line. Comments were as follows: The subject site encompasses two properties which total approximately 6.1 hectares (15 acres) in size, designated Half Acre Cluster (2 upa), Single Family Residential and Townhouse Cluster (10 upa) in the NCP and designated Agriculture in the OCP. The proposal is to amend the OCP from Agriculture to Suburban and Urban, and to amend the NCP: h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 4

5 o from Half Acre Cluster (2 upa) to Small Lots, Open Space and Townhouse Cluster (10 upa); o from Single Family Residential to Small Lots and Open Space; o from Townhouse Cluster (10 upa) to Open Space; and o a realignment of the road to accommodate the existing 177 Street. Proposed rezoning from A-1 to CD, RF-12 and RF-G to allow for subdivision into 22 single family residential lots, 1 remainder lot consisting of 15 townhouse units and dedication of approximately 27,988 square metres in open space (two ravine corridors). Diagrams were provided. The proposed amendments also address the alignment of the road which has already been constructed to service the Provinceton development under a previous application. As a result of that, some of the designated land uses are proposed to be amended. The clustering facilitates stream protection. The City proposes to acquire proposed Lot 22, where a City pump station is already situated near 176 Street. A landscape buffer is proposed along the west edge of 177 Street, along the ALR boundary, ranging in width from 5.5 metres to 6.5 metres. This buffer is intended to remain as part of proposed Lot 21. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed buffer noting that there would be a reduction of almost 10 metres from the minimum requirements. Including the road as buffer to the ALR is not effective to reduce urban/rural conflict. Buffers should not to be compromised. Concern was expressed regarding the ability to hear blueberry canons due to the hillside location of the subject property. Buffers should be widened to include both sides of the road in order to reduce the impact of noise. The suggested buffer plantings are not appropriate and are inadequate. A densely planted buffer of conifers, not deciduous trees, is required. Moved by P. Harrison Seconded by D. Arnold That the AAC recommends to the General Manager of Planning and Development that the buffer be comprised of conifer trees, not deciduous, and to expand the buffer area to include the residential side as well, resulting in a 5.5 metre buffer on both sides of the road. Concern was expressed that the housing density currently is at 2.5 per acre and it should only be 2 in the suburban designation. R. Epp and N. Stairs joined the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 2. Tree Cutting By-law The question of what is required from an agricultural landowner in order to clear the land for future agricultural use was discussed. noted that an information bulletin, dated July 2008, regarding the tree cutting permit application h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 5

6 process, was issued by the City and that the AAC had not been copied on this bulletin. It is preferred that the AAC be given the opportunity to provide comment on bulletins such as these prior to circulation to the public. Additional comments were as follows: There is concern with regard to the requirement of an arborist report and the possible requirement of a raptor study as well as the farm plan. The farm plan, when requested, is to show that the intent is to have active farming, not to stand in the way of legitimate farming activities. If the applicant chooses not to work within the standard process requirements, that is when further information is required. Typically, if farming is already on-going, a farm plan is not required. Pat Harrison left at 11:02 a.m. In addition to the above comments, the question of how buffer zones are being addressed was raised noting the need for further clarification with regard to the Best Management Practices and Develop with Care documents. agreed that this is an item that is to be added on the Work Plan for 2009 for further review. F. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL G. CORRESPONDENCE H. INFORMATION ITEMS I. OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS Work Plan The 2008 Work Plan was provided as an on-going item for amendments and/or updates as necessary. No additions/omissions were given. J. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee will be held on Thursday, November 6, h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 6

7 K. ADJOURNMENT meeting do now adjourn. Moved by B. Aulakh Seconded by Councillor Hunt That the Agricultural Advisory Committee The Agricultural Advisory Committee adjourned at 11:12 a.m. Margaret Jones, City Clerk Mike Bose, Chair Surrey Agricultural Advisory Committee h:\aac\minutes\2008\10098aac.min.doc Page 7