Natural Resources and Agriculture

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Take our survey!

As part of the Town’s Official Plan Review, we are doing a study of trends in agriculture to guide growth policies and land use in Caledon. Given the important role of agriculture, we invite everyone -- farmers or agri-business operators in particular -- to take our short survey.

Background

Natural and agriculture resources are important elements of Caledon that provide recreation, food, raw material, and economic viability. They include our forests, wildlife, geological formations, farms, mineral, and water resources. The majority of the Town's natural and agricultural resources are located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, Niagara Escarpment, Greenbelt, and designated Prime Agricultural lands.

Aggregate mineral resources, which are a significant component of Caledon’s natural resources, provide the raw materials needed to build our homes, roads and public infrastructure. However, the extraction of mineral resources can also have impacts on the community, such as noise, traffic and vibration. Therefore, it is important to balance the need for raw material and associated opportunities for economic prosperity with community and environmental objectives to minimize long-term impacts.

Caledon’s diversity of natural features and resources (natural heritage systems) are recognized and managed through the presence of:

The effective management of these natural heritage systems is essential for Caledon to be able to protect these systems while managing continued growth and development.

Caledon’s proud agricultural industry contributes to its economic growth and culture. The preservation and enhancement of Caledon’s agricultural system is essential to maintaining the rural characteristics that make Caledon attractive to residents, prospective residents and visitors.

Policies to be developed through studies for the Natural Resources and Agriculture focus areas will be guided by the following existing legislation, policies and studies:

Provincial:

Region of Peel Official Plan Review Work Plan:

Town of Caledon Official Plan Review Work Plan:

Take our survey!

As part of the Town’s Official Plan Review, we are doing a study of trends in agriculture to guide growth policies and land use in Caledon. Given the important role of agriculture, we invite everyone -- farmers or agri-business operators in particular -- to take our short survey.

Background

Natural and agriculture resources are important elements of Caledon that provide recreation, food, raw material, and economic viability. They include our forests, wildlife, geological formations, farms, mineral, and water resources. The majority of the Town's natural and agricultural resources are located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, Niagara Escarpment, Greenbelt, and designated Prime Agricultural lands.

Aggregate mineral resources, which are a significant component of Caledon’s natural resources, provide the raw materials needed to build our homes, roads and public infrastructure. However, the extraction of mineral resources can also have impacts on the community, such as noise, traffic and vibration. Therefore, it is important to balance the need for raw material and associated opportunities for economic prosperity with community and environmental objectives to minimize long-term impacts.

Caledon’s diversity of natural features and resources (natural heritage systems) are recognized and managed through the presence of:

The effective management of these natural heritage systems is essential for Caledon to be able to protect these systems while managing continued growth and development.

Caledon’s proud agricultural industry contributes to its economic growth and culture. The preservation and enhancement of Caledon’s agricultural system is essential to maintaining the rural characteristics that make Caledon attractive to residents, prospective residents and visitors.

Policies to be developed through studies for the Natural Resources and Agriculture focus areas will be guided by the following existing legislation, policies and studies:

Provincial:

Region of Peel Official Plan Review Work Plan:

Town of Caledon Official Plan Review Work Plan:

Please let us know if you have any questions about the work the Town is undertaking to plan for the future of our natural resources and agriculture. Your questions and responses from Town staff may be published here to help build awareness.

Questions about natural resources and agriculture?

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    How can we take your leadership and care of our natural resources seriously when the Town is considering allowing the company on 10795/10819 Highway 9 to continue to store leaching toxic products on the Oak Ridges Moraine?

    Penny asked 5 months ago

    Thank you for your questions and engaging with us. 

    Under the Planning Act, a property owner may submit development applications to the Town of Caledon's Planning and Development Services Department on matters of zoning variance, temporary use and other forms of amendments to the official plan. The Town’s receipt of a complete application by a landowner does not constitute an automatic approval of the proposal. The Town is required to reviews all applications based on their compliance with current Municipal, Regional and Provincial policies. Caledon residents are given the opportunity to provide input on planning applications during the review process before a decision can be made by Council.

    The Town has received  applications for  a Zoning By-law Amendment (Temporary Use) for  each of the subject properties. Links to additional information on these applications, including notices for upcoming public meetings (held electronically on September 8th in both these instances) and contact information for the Town Planning Staff managing these files can be found by following the link below. 

    https://www.caledon.ca/en/town-services/current-applications.aspx 

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    Is the Dick-owned farm on the northeast corner of Olde Base Line Road and Winston Churchill being considered to be included as a future aggregate mining site? We. the residents in the area, spent millions defeating his last petition to the OMB and do not want to see it relived by his request to have it included in the new master plan. If it is included, he will be back at the OMB asking to open the mining site. It is clear that he has not lost sight of his goal to mine this property, notwithstanding the last decision from the OMB.

    Gordon Michael Finnigan asked 11 months ago

    Thank you for your questions and engaging with us.  The following is in response the question raised: 

    1. The James Dick’s property on Old Baseline Road and Winston Churchill Boulevard is currently designated as Rural Lands and Environmental Policy Area. 
    2. Schedule L to the Caledon Official Plan identifies the lands as being within the Caledon High Potential Mineral Aggregate Resource Area (CHPMARA - Bedrock Resource).    
    3. The current designation and identification as CHPMARA suggest that aggregate/quarry operations may be considered on the lands subject to amendments to the Town’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law and the Ministry of Natural Resources' Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) license requirements.
    4. As part of this current OP Review, the Town will conduct a study to review current aggregate policies and lands identifies as CHPMARA based newly published resource maps produced by the Government of Ontario. The study will determine whether current policies and practices are effective in managing the Town's aggregate resources while protecting the environment and the community.
    5. The policies of the next Caledon Official Plan and associated schedules will be based on the findings from all the studies that are part of the Official Plan Review. 
    6. Until the review process is completed, staff cannot determine whether the subject lands will remain as CHPMARA (which will continue to make the lands a potential area for aggregate operations).


    Should you require further information please contact Ohi Izirein at ohi.izirein@caledon.ca