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The Brussels Post, 1974-10-30, Page 19b) DEFINITION The agr icultural classification of land shall man that the predominant use of land in the areas so designated will be farming of all types, industrial and commercial activities which are primarily related to agriculture, residential uses directly related to agriculture and natural physical features which by their presence enhance,the physiographic health of the area for agriculture. 0 GOALS The following agricultural goals are adopted. i) To ensure maximum flexibility for farm operator s to engage in differing type's and sizes of agricultural operations. ii) To relate development in agricultural areas to the needs of agriculture. iii). To prevent class I and 2 soils from being used for non-agricultural purposes. To encourage the retention of remain- ing woodlots in order to enhance the physiographic quality of the landscape for agriculture. v) To prevent. uses which are not primarily related to agriculture over the long term from establishing in agriculture areas. d) POLICIES To achieve these goals the following policies are adopted: i) In areas designated agriculture, the predominant use of land will be for farming and the predominant type of development the "farm unit". The farm unit consists of the farm residence, residences required for additional labour, barns and other buildings which support the farm operation. The structures which make up the farm unit will be part of the farm and not on separately titled lots. ii) Farm operations of all sizes will be allowed based on the standard that farming represents at least fifty per cent of the owner's income. Commercial and industrial uses will be allowed provided that at least 50% of their operation is related to the proces- sing of agricultural products or the ser- vicing of farms. These uses should be encouraged to locate in groups to provide better service and if possible ' should avoid areas of improved class 1 and 2 lands. iv) Retiring farmers will be encouraged to utilize life-long leases if they wish to remain in their existing house or if they wish to build a new residence it should be located in a nearby hamlet and not on the farm holding. Farm operators will attempt to protect remaining natural environment features by using conservation practices All farm operations and buildings will comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice. Residences which become surplus to an agricultural operator through farm enlargement may be leased for a long term period subject to the following - they become non-conforming uses with reference to the restricted area (zoning) by-law, • all farm operators within 1000 feet of the residence be notified• prior to leasing and that they be •infortned of - the implications with 'respect to the provisions of the Code of Practice. • the leased parcel will riot include any more class 1 or 2 improved land than Is required' to support the residence and meet the servicing requirements of, this Plan. • that the residence is useable and that it is the intention of the -leasor to Pre to prote nary th e es, its ham] re well dist al communi ity supports ces and reti le important functions addition to al area, the)) 'le" for ess iding basic ore to prom ig hamlets a local com nding agric sidential ar :he area but ng farms, ACES tiful and v Sand and g rhich is be order to ens irce, areas .?.d from oth n. The extra lave adverse ce such ope Lich a way Ind be rehab efore to ens a are prote i a manne 'ounding are ctive uses a in some ^ GiIICULTURE a) IN T RODUCTION • • The fundamental principle, of this. Plan as set out in section two, is to promote the long term future of agriculture by protecting the land base and promoting the creation of an environment conclusive to an integrated agricultural community and economy. To achieve this the majority of the Township has been designated for agricultural use. Large areas are designated, and nqfjust those areas nreseatly in production, in order to ensure thatr larg e flexible agriculture space free from potentially disruptive uses will be available in the future. Jse :ions eropl equally a te flues,th to area, , it trotan iding of a, ategele,s e desettPl iv) vi) land is dif is growing, ies from out d is urban o e. It can c land, apse aflating land es of operat ultural com of recr planned to ihnize the n 'al commum herefore to only to the griculturarl ri the agr 7evolve aro Grey Tom e achieving ing the Ion plan rep o impleme tries and a y the dem however, dividual de lan is to tat saPP°, term fain, tesotot utilize the existing residence., viii) This Plan establishes. an area of "Res- tricted Agriculture" within the Agricultural designation, This area, shown on the Land Use Plan (Schedule "B"), is generally a 2000' zone around all urban places in order to provide an adequate buffer zone. In addition to the policies listed above, all new- intensive animal operations will require a \ Certificate of Compliance under the. provisions of the Code of Practice prior to. being established. In issuing of the CertifiCate of Compliance due consideration will be taken for possible negative effects on the surrounding urban areas. e) LOCATION The location of lands. designated Agriculture to which the above policies apply is shown on the Land Use Map, (Schedule "B") f) IMPLEMENTATION The Agricultural goals and policies will be implemented as followS: i) Assistance and advice on agricultural operations by the local. office of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. ii) Assistance and advice on conservation practices by the local office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. iii) By the adoption of a Restricted Area ('zoning) by-laW by the Township Council. iv) By the provisions of the Land Divis- ion Policy of this Plan. v). By a review of building proposals by Council to ensure conformance with the Plan. vi) The review of agricultural building proposals by Council and the Agricultural Engineer for,the area with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 4. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT a) ' INTRODUCTION The number of natural environmental areas such as marshes, river valleyS and their flood plains, eskers and woodlots are diminishing. As •such areas are cleared or drained the remaining ones take on a greater significance in the balancing of the man made and the natural systems. Some of these areas are significant to an area lar ger than the Township and some only to the immediate vicinity. Although often regarded as "useless" in the economic sense, they are of great importance to the "natural health" of the area. These areas act as wind breaks preventing erosion, ground water recharge areas, storage areas for surface water and reservoir areas in time of flood. They also act as pleasing natural areas to man. They are important both to the natural systems and human systems. It is important that they be maintained and properly managed whether they are in private or public ownership. b) DEFINITION Areas classified as Natural Environment are important to tht. functioning of the natural ecosystem and are sensitive to change. These areas fall into two groups: water systems including marshes and river valleys and their flood plains and upland systems including extensive areas of forest cover and eskers. Ownership of these areas is mixed and include private holdings and public holdings such as county forests and conservation areas. c) GOALS The following natural environment goals are established: i) to identify the natural systems in the Township as part of both regional and local ecosystems. ii) to prevent further deterioration of the natural environment. iii) to reestablish natural environments in critical areas. iv) to preserved the natural beauty of the Township v) to heighten public awareness and stewardship of the natural environ- ment. vi) to provide a habitat for wildlife. d) POLICIES 'To achieve these gdals three major policy areas covering proteetion, reektablishment and managenient are adopted. PROTECTION i) these areas shall be retained in their TOWNSHIP OF GREY SECONDARY PLAN natural state and the clearing and/or draining of these areas will be pre- vented ii) in areas subject to periodic flooding the placing or removal of fill, will not be permitted without the consent of the Maitland Valley Conservation. Authority iii) permanent structures will not be permitted REESTABLISHMENT iv) the reestablishment of a vegetation corridor along the river will be encouraged through public works, private initiative or cooperative pro- grams between private owners and public agencies. MANAGEMENT v) public purchase, private stewardship and management agreements will be the main forms of the preservation and management of this resource. vi) programs of removing any tax burden on these lands should be developed in conjunction with provincial authorities vii) such uses as agriculture, outdoor ' recreation, forestry and the conser- vation of soil or wildlife shall be per- mitted provided they do not lead to the deterioration or degradation of the environment. c) LOCATION The location of the land designated Natural Environment to which the above policies apply is shown on the Land Use Map (Schedule "B"). f) IMPLEMENTATION The Natural Environment goals and policies will be implemented -as follows: - i) by the desire of the residents of the Township to preserve the natural environment by the acquisition of such areas by public or private bodies or individuals concerned with conservation iii)- by assistance and advice on conser- vation practices by the local office of the- Ministry of Natural Resources and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority., iv) by public and private cooperation such - as management agreements with the Ministry of Natural Resources by the adoption of a Restricted Area (zoning) by-law by the Township Council vi) by the provisions of the Land Division Policy of this Plan. 5. URBAN PLACES a) INTRODUCTION The, urban places of Grey are the Police Village ofEthel, and its hamlets; Cranbrook, • Walton, Molesworth and the Graham Survey. Although very small by urban standards, they provide an important focal. point, a sense of. - history and- a number of services. They are an intregal part of rural society. Essentially these places, with their pleasing aesthetic qualities, are residential and social centers which also provide local commercial services. They provide a place of retirement for the farm community and a "rural way of living" for urban oriented people. They can provide the common ground for these two communities. b) DEFINITION The urban places of Grey Township are the Police Village of Ethel and the hamlets of Cranbrook, Walton, Molesworth and the Graham Survey. Their boundaries are shown on Schedules "D", "E", "F", "G" and c) GOALS The following goals for urban places are established: i) to promote their 'development as residential and social focal points for the surrounding agricultural community. ii) to identify their boundaries and deVelop a compact form of development within these boundaries. iii) to preserve the natural setting and aesthetic qualities of the urban places. iv) to encourage the municipality to take an active role in the development of the urban areas. PAdEIB. 1148, BRUSSELS. ;POST ii) v)