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Agriculture

The rural environment of Elizabethtown-Kitley makes it a natural setting for opportunities in the agricultural sector. With trends pointed in the direction of leaving the larger urban centers to capture a lifestyle in a rural community, the growth of hobby farms, and organic farming is on the rise. The province of Ontario encourages the development of such enterprises and our township provides an ideal setting for opportunities of this kind. Please refer to the Appendix F - Agriculture under the Community Profile page for information on the Agricultural Sector. 

Agricultural Use and the Keeping of Livestock

The Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley Comprehensive Zoning By-law 13-21, as amended, regulates the use of land, including agricultural use and the keeping of livestock.

The keeping of livestock is permitted on lots which are zoned Rural (RU) and greater than 4ha in size, or on any sized lot zoned Agriculture (AG). The keeping of livestock includes poultry, turkeys, cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, or any other animals associated with an agricultural operation. Where the keeping of livestock is a permitted use, new or expanding livestock facilities are required to comply with the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae and guidelines as outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Please contact the Planning Department if you are proposing an agricultural use of any kind, including the keeping of livestock, to confirm whether your proposal is permitted under the current zoning regulations and if the MDS formulae and guidelines are applicable.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) provides resources and information on topics including farming, land use, food manufacturing, funding, research and information about Northern Ontario agriculture and local food.

Where the keeping of livestock is a permitted use, new or expanding livestock facilities are required to comply with the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae and guidelines. The MDS formulae and guidelines are land use planning tools that determine setback distances between livestock barns, manure storages or anaerobic digesters and surrounding land uses, with the objective of minimizing land use conflicts and nuisance complaints related to odour. The MDS II setback distances shall be met prior to the approval of the building permit application for a first or altered livestock facility occupying an area greater than 10 m2 or any anaerobic digester. Demonstrating that an MDS setback can be met, may be required before a land use planning approval or building permit can be issued. (Source: OMAFRA)

For more information on MDS Formulae and Guidelines for Livestock Facility and Anaerobic Digester Odour Setbacks please view The Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Document provided by OMAFRA.

Agricultural Area Review - Stage 3

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (UCLG) is undertaking a study of prime Agricultural Area lands to identify if there are any additional prime Agricultural Area lands that should be added to the Counties Official Plan (COP) and to confirm the existing Agricultural Area boundaries. The UCLG has retained a consulting team from PLANSCAPE, a professional planning firm with experience in many agricultural land reviews throughout Ontario, to undertake completion of this work, with the assistance of soil experts. A Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR), a provincially supported methodology, is proposed to be used.

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville have closed the Agricultural Area Review Citizen Consultation Process for now and the draft report has been finished by the consultant but not yet received by Council. Council is considering options for next steps and is consulting with the local municipal Councils on the final recommended mapping. A report to the Counties Planning Advisory Committee on the municipal agricultural area review consultations is anticipated in February or March of 2025.

Please visit the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville website for further information, such as background, stages of the study, what are prime Agricultural Areas and their importance, and general resources.

To view the consultants final recommended mapping for the Township please see the Interactive Map – Recommended Agriculture Area.

 

 

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