Lisa Backus, Principal Planner, made a verbal presentation to accompany an electronic presentation.
Bruno Constantino was called upon and was not present.
Antonella Vergati was called upon and was not present.
Peter Traicus spoke in support of the proposal. He stated that adding the lands to the greenbelt will isolate Courtice, from Bowmanville and Newcastle. Mr. Traicus noted that Clarington has economic advantages coming such as Highway 418 and the GO Station and added that if the lands are added to the greenbelt, this will disappear. He questioned what the percentage would be if the lands were converted and asked what the remainder of land is in the whitebelt. Mr. Traicus answered questions from Members of Committee.
Adesina Bakare was called upon and was not present.
Martha Vandepol spoke in support of the proposal. She made a verbal presentation to accompany an electronic presentation. Ms. Vandepol explained why it took five years for the public to be notified of the Special Study Area 2. She provided a background of Council approving OPA Amendment 107. Ms. Vandepol expressed her concerns regarding transparency and how no property owners were advised of the Special Study Area 2. She questioned why we need more land in the greenbelt when Clarington already has 81% of land in it. Ms. Vandepol explained that we need lands for economic growth and to create homes and jobs for residents and added that the greenbelt expansion will put a boundary line to any future economic development to the lands if they are added.
Russ Brown was called upon and was unable to speak.
Doug Rombough was called upon and was not present.
Gord Robinson spoke in support of the proposal. Mr. Robinson questioned why notifying residents of proposals has always been an issue and hope Staff can continue to improve on notification to landowners. He stated that adding the lands in the greenbelt will decrease land value and added that he doesn't think it's right to take away property owners rights to their land. Mr. Robinson explained that in order to have population growth in the future, the lands should not be included in the greenbelt. He requested that Members of Committee say no to the expansion and asked that Councillors of wards 3 and 4 look how close they are to possibly having a pipe in Orono. Mr. Robinson stated that the dream of having the pipe is over if the lands are added to the greenbelt.
Jim Hamilton, Welcome Feeds, spoke in support of the proposal. He stated that he is speaking on behalf of 200 landowners. He noted that they support the deletion of the policies from the Official Plan. Mr. Hamilton stated that the farmers in the area wish the land would not be added to the greenbelt as they want control of their land and to make their own decisions. Mr. Hamilton explained that the best use of the land is for future development not greenbelt space. He stated that he turned down an offer on a property as it is unclear what he can do with it and added that he wishes the greenbelt expansion would be removed from the Official Plan.
Richard Rekker spoke in support of the proposal. Mr. Rekker explained the difference of the lands on the east and west and noted they should not be included in the Special Study Area 2. He quoted the Provincial Policy Statement and expressed his concerns regarding the prime agricultural area. Mr. Rekker listed the businesses along Highway 2 and noted the prime farmland should be protected. He expressed his concerns regarding the expansion and the greater golden horseshoe. Mr. Rekker explained that expanding the greenbelt would affect the growth plan of the greater golden horseshoe and other developments. He stated that the rural area west of Bowmanville should be added to the greenbelt as it doesn't relate to the prime agricultural area.
Brenda Neddow was called upon and was not present.
Kirk Kemp spoke in support of the application. He noted that he was disappointed when he heard that the east lands were included in the Special Study Area 2. Mr. Kemp noted that he is thankful that Council has shown interest to reconsider the Special Study Area 2 and is pleased that the decision is going in the right direction. He explained that they have purchased land in the whitebelt and noted if it is switched to greenbelt, the value of the property would be lowered significantly. Mr. Kemp stated that the lands should be used for future development as Clarington is fast growing. He stated that the area is important for growth and thanked Members of Committee for their time.
Mike Box was called upon and was not present.
Eric Bowman stated that he represents the Agricultural Advisory Committee and noted they haven't had an opportunity to discuss this matter due to conflict of interest issues.
Brenda Metcalf was called upon and was not present.