New updated content: 2024-12-19 12:45:51

Staff has sent a memo to Council regarding their communications with the Normal Farm Practices Board of Ontario, which was in response to a staff direction provided as a result of the Tewin deforestation. It was the invocation of the agricultural exemption that was used as justification for not applying the Tree Protection Bylaw or the Site Alteration Bylaw to this clear cut by the developers of Tewin. The question was whether the clear cut of a forested area is considered a normal farm practice. Unfortunately, the Board did not rule on this particular case, which seems to be the only way the Board can issue a determination on the matter. As there was no complaint made by area residents and no formal reference made to the Board by the City, the question remains unanswered. From this, City staff have concluded that no amendment or modification is required to the Tree Bylaw or the Site Alteration Bylaw. This seems to close the door on this sad chapter. Peri-urban woodlands can be clear cut by landowners or developers without any notification whatever to the City so long as they claim they will use the land for an agricultural operation.