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Odorous Industries Nuisance Bylaw deferred to March
The odorous industries nuisance bylaw has been deferred to the March 23rd meeting of Council.
Upon receipt of correspondence from cannabis industry legal teams, Pelham’s Cannabis Control Committee has been authorized by Town Council to prepare a response, working alongside the Town’s legal counsel.
Planning Department presents Cannabis Land Use report
The Land Use Study on Cannabis Production was prepared by Town Planning staff to serve as the review and study of land use impacts, recommending proposed policy changes and a regulatory framework for cannabis production and related land uses in the context of the Town of Pelham.
Extensive analysis of the existing regulatory and planning policy framework, municipal best practices, land use impacts specific to the Town of Pelham and finally, recommendations for policy and regulatory changes were included in the Land Use Study.
Town staff considered comments provided by commenting agencies, the public and the Cannabis Control Committee in preparation of the study. A draft copy was provided to the Cannabis Control Committee at its January 29, 2020 meeting for information purposes. As the recommendations of the Land Use Study are fulfilled, there will be other public meetings, particularly as it relates implementing the recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
The report looks at existing regulatory framework, planning policy framework, comparative municipal approaches, and land use impacts.
Council, sitting as committee, amended the motion to receive the report and fulfill the recommendations therein, to receive the report and refer it to the Cannabis Control Committee for feedback on the recommendations therein.
Gypsy Moth
With reports from the BioForest, the consultant hired by the Town to conduce infestation surveys for the coming year, it appears that 2020 will see a significant gypsy moth population.
In the fall, the Town retained the services of a consultant to do an infestation survey. They worked through December and January, and at the time of the report’s creation, the public works department received information from the consultant as to what the Town looking at for 2020.
Approximately 1185 hectares (ha) have been recommended for aerial spraying in 2020 consisting of 250 ha inside and adjacent to the Urban Boundary of Fenwick, 308 ha inside and adjacent to the Urban Boundary of Fonthill and 626 ha of property in the rural areas of Pelham. These numbers represent preliminary estimates only as spray blocks have not yet been developed. The cost of spraying 1185 ha is estimated at $1,040,000.
The total budget approved for the 2020 Gypsy Moth Management program is $150,000. Municipal property identified at severe risk of defoliation consists of 32.75 ha and has an estimated cost to treat of $30,000. Design and administration of a treatment program including; post spray assessments, public education and fall egg mass surveys has an estimated cost of $40,000. This leaves an estimated $80,000 budget to treat heavily infested areas.
Options for Council to consider regarding Gypsy Moth Management in 2020 are as follows:
1) The Town takes no action on public or private trees and executes a strong communication and engagement program throughout the community to educate
the public on options to protect their trees. This would include public meetings and direct mailing options. There is an adequate budget allotment for this option.
2) The Town implements a targeted aerial spray program of approximately 33 ha of municipal property and approximately 90 ha of private property. Staff would work in conjunction with a forestry consultant to design a program that would have the greatest impact on the gypsy moth population, within the limits of the existing budget. Public Works Policy S801-14 would be used to guide the decision-making process in the development of spray blocks, and the execution of the spray program. This option would also be supported by a strong public outreach and communication program as described in Option 1. This option can be completed utilizing the existing budget allotment.
3) The Town implements a large-scale, extensive aerial spray program within the urban boundaries, as well as throughout the rural area of Pelham that meet the criteria stated in the Gypsy Moth Management Policy. This option would also be supported by a strong public outreach and communication program as described in Option 1. The estimated cost of this option is $1,040,000. Pursuing this option would require Council to approve a net tax increase of $930,000 since $110,000 is already budgeted in the 2020 budget for spraying.
The budget shortfall would require an adjustment to the 2020 Budget which will impact the tax levy and be applied to the general tax base, which effectively increases tax rates by 6.64% over 2019 as a special gypsy moth levy, in addition to the approved 5.95% increase after growth in the 2020 operating budget, for a total increase of 12.59%. For the average household, this would be a total increase of $224 to their tax bill from 2019. Approximately $106 represents the approved 5.95% tax increase and the $118 represents the additional tax increase for the Gypsy Moth Infestation Spray Program for the Town.
With BioForest presenting at the March 2 meeting of Council, there will be an additional opportunity to learn more about the current infestation and get expert advice. Committee voted in favour to receive the report and recommend to Council the approval of the gypsy moth management policy.
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