M E M O R A N D U M

To: Members of Development Services Committee and Council

From : Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator , Environment and Rouge Park

Date: June 22, 2010

Subject: Agricultural Land Protection and Possible Options for Growing the Greenbelt
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On June 15, 2010 Development Services Committee referred the Planning Department staff report entitled ‘Agricultural Land Protection and Possible Options for Growing the Greenbelt’ directly to Council. Committee requested that staff propose additional wording to ensure that work underway for confirming the Town’s proposed Greenway System for the new Official Plan will support any future study requirements and requests to expand the Greenbelt in Markham.

The following recommendations were proposed in the June 15, 2010 report.

1) That the staff report entitled “Options Report: Agricultural Land Protection and Possible Options for Growing the Greenbelt”, dated June 15, 2010, be received;

2) And that Council resolve not proceed with a Growing the Greenbelt process at this time;

3) And that staff bring forward an update “Growing the Greenbelt” report upon completion of the new Official Plan, to further review possible options for Greenbelt expansion in the context of the Town’s updated agricultural and Greenway System policies in preparation for the mandatory Provincial Greenbelt review scheduled for 2015;

4) And that the report be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Region of York for information;

5) And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Staff offer the following revised recommendations for consideration of Council:

1) That the staff report entitled “Options Report: Agricultural Land Protection and Possible Options for Growing the Greenbelt”, dated June 15, 2010, be received;

2) And that Council resolve not proceed with a Growing the Greenbelt process at this time;

3) And that through the preparation of the natural heritage policies and mapping products for the new Official Plan, staff engage the Region of York and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in discussion of appropriate opportunities and technical justification for potential future Greenbelt expansion lands of natural heritage Greenbelt lands in Markham ;

4) And that staff delineate in further detail, for public and agency input, a natural heritage east–west corridor in North Markham, as shown conceptually in the proposed Greenway System for consideration in the new Official Plan and a future potential Greenbelt expansion area;

5) And that staff bring forward an update “Growing the Greenbelt” report upon completion of the new Official Plan, to further review possible options for Greenbelt expansion in the context of the Town’s updated agricultural and Greenway System policies in preparation for the mandatory Provincial Greenbelt review scheduled for 2015;

6) And that the report be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Region of York for information;

7) And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Q:\Development\Planning\MISC\MI501 Provincial Greenbelt Plan\Growing the Greenbelt\Memo to Council June 2010.docx