HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUS 03-24 Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: SUS 03-24 Date: March 4, 2024
From: Kyle Bentley Director, City Development & CBO
Subject: Pickering Urban Agriculture Project Update - Council Resolutions #100/23 and #218/23 - File: D-7001-026
Recommendation:
1. That Report SUS 03-24 regarding Pickering Urban Agriculture Project Update, be received for information; and
2. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: In February 2023, Council passed a motion directing staff to consult with stakeholders regarding the implementation of an Urban Farming pilot project (see
Resolution #100/23, Attachment 1). In response, in June 2023, Council considered Report SUS 05-23 which provided an overview of activities currently underway that support urban farming. The report also outlined short and long-term actions that staff could undertake to further address the many facets of urban farming, also known as urban agriculture.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update regarding:
• results of the public consultation and stakeholder engagement
• actions staff have undertaken to increase support and awareness of urban agriculture
• next steps that will be taken to further address urban agriculture in the City
Public and stakeholder engagement is an important component of developing an urban agriculture action plan, which ensures its long-term success. On December 6, 2023, a Let's Talk Pickering platform page and “Urban Agriculture” survey were launched to assist the City in understanding the following:
• what urban agriculture related activities (if any) residents currently participate in
• what are the barriers for those that do not participate
• how the City could help assist residents’ efforts to carry out urban agricultural activities
Approximately 92% of the 530 online surveys were completed by Pickering residents. See Appendix I to review the public survey results.
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In January 2024, targeted surveys were also sent to places of worship, local schools, and the development community. Staff will re-engage with these key stakeholders to further explore
opportunities, challenges, and means to collaborate on urban agriculture activities.
The City has long recognized the importance of implementing and investing in urban agriculture initiatives to address food supply, food security, and sustainable urban development. These activities can help reduce grocery bills, carbon emissions, and provide opportunities to support social, physical, and mental wellbeing. Since the Council update in June 2023
(Report SUS 05-23), this effort has expanded with new programs, events, and actions, with
more planned for the next twelve months.
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond
to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of: Champion Economic Leadership & Innovation;
Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community; Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency; Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships; and Foster an Engaged & Informed Community.
Financial Implications: Not applicable to this report.
Discussion:
1. Background
Urban Agriculture comes in many forms and is defined simply as growing or producing food in urban spaces. On February 27, 2023, Council passed a motion (see
Resolution #100/23, Attachment 1) directing staff to “consult with stakeholders
regarding the implementation of an Urban Farming pilot project for the enjoyment of urban backyard egg production only and urban farming to include vertical farming”. Sustainability staff focused on the urban farming component of this resolution.
On June 26, 2023, Council endorsed Report SUS 05-23 (see Resolution #218/23,
Attachment 2), which provided an overview of the many facets of urban agriculture. This
included a summary of existing efforts, municipal best practices, and short and long-term actionable items that could be explored to further support urban farming in the City.
On September 25, 2023, upon considering Report FIN 16-23, Council requested staff to explore the suitability of three specific properties for community gardening. Using the
City’s Community Garden Policy (ADM 240), the assessment of these newly vested
properties is included in this report.
Urban agriculture has the potential to advance multiple sustainable goals identified in the City’s Corporate Strategic Plan, Official Plan, Recreation & Parks Master Plan, and Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, among others. For that reason, urban
agriculture elements have been integrated in various corporate initiatives, including for
example, programming for the Pickering Public Library, Pickering Museum Village, Community Services Department, and City Development Department.
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2. Engagement
2.1 Overview of Engagement
In spring 2023, staff created an engagement plan to solicit feedback from residents,
community groups, development community, places of worship, schools, Region of Durham, Durham College, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Hydro One/Infrastructure Ontario, City Departments and Advisory Committees, and Pickering Public Library staff.
The objectives of this engagement included:
• examining current levels of awareness and generating more public knowledge about the City’s urban agriculture focused activities
• encouraging residents and stakeholders to provide feedback on their current urban
agricultural practices and recommending what additional tools (if any) the City could provide to assist
• assisting the City in understanding the barriers for residents and stakeholders to participate in, or provide urban agriculture activities
• soliciting feedback that could help shape short and long-term actions that address these barriers, where feasible
In summer 2023, City staff held meetings with staff from the Region of Durham, TRCA
and Durham College to learn more about their respective urban agriculture programs,
with the aim to explore possible partnership opportunities. Staff also recently met internally to discuss the exciting new projects being undertaken at the Pickering Public Library, Pickering Museum Village, and at George Ashe Library & Community Centre.
In fall 2023, City staff visited the Durham College Barrett Centre of Innovation in
Sustainable Urban Agriculture site in Ajax. The demonstration site showcased various
methods to grow food in a community. Staff also visited a Durham Community Housing site in Pickering where We Grow Food (a non-profit organization) worked with area residents to construct raised garden plots. We Grow Food was able to successfully deliver this opportunity thanks to the City of Pickering’s Community Grant program.
2.2 Community (Public) Survey
In December 2023, a new urban agriculture focused webpage went live on the City’s website. In addition, on December 6, 2023, staff launched the Let's Talk Pickering urban agriculture project page and public survey. The purpose of the public survey was to gain a better understanding of existing programs/initiatives, where and why residents choose
to grow their own food, and what the barriers are for those who choose not to. Various
means of promoting this engagement opportunity were used, including:
• media release
• new pickering.ca webpage on urban agriculture
• pickering.ca landing page blocks
• City’s social media feeds
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• digital signs
• pop-up banners and rack cards in City and Pickering Public Library facilities
• curbex signs
• direct email to various groups and Advisory Committees
• eNewletters
• paid advertisements on durhamregion.com and on social media feeds
The online survey closed on January 29, 2024. A total of 530 surveys were completed.
Detailed survey findings are set out in Appendix I of this report.
City staff greatly appreciate the community’s participation in the survey as their feedback is helping to inform the City's short-term actions and long-term planning to better meet the community's needs. The input will help City staff develop educational programs and tools, select workshop topics, and explore new opportunities.
Staff are using the public’s feedback to tailor actions for early 2024, including:
• Provide additional information on the website about best practices and resources regarding how to start a vegetable garden, zoning permissions (a number of
respondents were not aware that you can grow plants and shrubs in a front yard),
and how to grow food in small spaces, etc.
• Host educational workshops and seminars. In spring 2024, staff are offering workshops about ‘Vegetable Gardening in Containers’ and ‘Seed Saving’. Staff are exploring topics for fall 2024 to help residents who are not sure how to plan for and
start a garden.
• Information on the website about how residents can donate extra produce e.g. Grow a Row program.
2.3 Organizational Stakeholder Surveys
In January 2024, organizational stakeholder-specific surveys were distributed to the development community, local schools, and places of worship. The purpose of this survey was to better understand why urban agriculture consideration is (or is not) part of their sustainability plan/actions, challenges to undertaking these programs, and if there was interest in further engagement.
The questionnaire was sent to over 50 developers and builders across the greater Toronto area, BILD, RESCON, Durham Home Builders Association, the Seaton Landowners Group, and the Integrated Sustainable Design Standards (ISDS) Building Advisory Panel. A total of six completed surveys were received.
From the six completed surveys returned, feedback noted that:
• sustainable urban agriculture was part of their company’s sustainability goals, and over the years, there has been an increase in consumer demand
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• their company has integrated urban agriculture elements, such as community
gardens, amended balcony design/layout to accommodate planters, raised garden
planters on the podium, etc., into development projects, due to consumer demand
Respondents indicated that current challenges include:
• lack of space on site (compliance with building envelope and zoning requirements were more important)
• as a land developer, they often do not get involved in the garden aspects on buildings/rooftops - that is left to the builders, and eventually condominium boards and residents
• unsure of future land ownership, such as whether the development was subject to a future condominium board or offered as rental housing
• over-programming of amenity spaces with other uses, such as child’s play area and minimum municipal zoning open space requirement (when constructed to minimum
landscape open space requirements)
• the upfront financial cost and future operation/maintenance of the dedicated area for the community garden, which may (or may not) be maintained by the future property owner
Staff contacted all Durham Catholic District School Board, Durham District School Board and Viamonde School Board affiliated schools in the City of Pickering. In recent years, many schools have participated in the City’s School Environmental Grant Program and have used the funds to build raised garden beds and purchase indoor vegetable growing towers. These projects offer exciting learning opportunities for
students. From all of the schools that were contacted by email, the City received two completed surveys and feedback noted that:
• external gardens and trees were planted through City’s Environmental Schools
Grant but creating indoor vertical gardens was challenging due to costly lighting and
maintenance issues during holidays and staff turnover
• dedicated staff members are necessary to sustain such projects
Staff also reached out to places of worship in the City of Pickering. A few years ago, staff learned of a place of worship in the City that installed raised garden beds to grow
vegetables to donate to local seniors, Dedicated Advocacy Resource Support (DARS), and parish members. Often, places of worship centers have the resources to carry out these activities such as volunteers, land, parking, access to water, and kitchen facilities. Of the 21 sites that were contacted by email, the City received three completed surveys and feedback noted that:
• For over six years, they have maintained a community garden that donated produce to those less fortunate. They want to expand the garden area, but they lack financial funding.
• Interested in having a garden on their premises, but the sandy soil is unsuitable for growing. Alternative options like raised beds would need to be considered.
• They would like to understand more about community gardens, but they need financial resources and help learning how to start one.
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2.4 Next Steps to Engage Stakeholders
Given the low organizational stakeholder survey participation rate, staff will use other
means such as a workshop, site visits, and phone interviews, to connect with the
development community, schools, and places of worship. This additional engagement will provide staff with more information to help guide elements of the urban agriculture project.
3. Urban Agriculture (UA) Project Progress
Following Council Resolution #218/23 in June 2023, staff initiated the City’s Urban
Agriculture Project. Over the past eight months, the main objective has been to take steps towards addressing the nine short-term and three long-term actions. The following sections of this report contain a summary of the progress made to date for each action item identified in Report SUS 05-23.
3.1 Short-Term Actions Progress
This next section outlines the short-term actions that were undertaken by staff from various departments.
3.1.1 Create an online urban farming/agriculture survey to examine the need for more education, programs, funding opportunities, and project site selections
The Community (public) survey was completed, and details were reported in Section 2.2
of this report. The Let’s Talk Pickering Community Survey Results are included in Appendix I.
3.1.2 Update the City of Pickering website to increase visibility and promotion of urban agriculture
In December 2023, staff launched a new City of Pickering urban agriculture webpage
and consolidated community garden information, educational resources, and helpful links for the public. Staff will continue to expand this webpage with more resources.
3.1.3 Continue to promote urban agriculture and local food within the community
During the launch of the Urban Agriculture Project, staff developed a robust
communication plan and applied a collaborative community-based approach to promote
urban agriculture and local food. Sustainability staff will continue to promote urban agriculture educational programs and efforts of others.
Lead by the Pickering Public Library, another action item for 2024/2025 is to expand access to urban agriculture resources, seeds, and educational classes. Staff at the
George Ashe Branch of the Pickering Public Library have initiated a Seed Library
program, which launched in mid-February 2024. Through a grant from the TD Friends of the Environment, the Seed Library encourages healthy food and sustainable practices while preserving and protecting the biodiversity of plants and food crops. From February through to September 2024, the Library will be providing residents with 20 free programs
on topics related to food literacy, seeds, and gardening.
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3.1.4 Develop a ‘community garden toolkit’ for private landowners to share information and resources
The focus of this effort has been modified to address survey results. Staff will review
what tools have been requested by residents and organizational stakeholders to help them to engage in urban agriculture on their property. The need differs depending on the landowners and, therefore, will need to be tailored. For example, some survey respondents want help connecting to those who have done similar projects; others wish
to expand their project and are keen to learn about grant opportunities.
3.1.5 Initiate an urban agriculture focused meeting with members of the building community to discuss challenges and opportunities on site
In 2023, there has been a steady increase of urban agriculture elements incorporated into the planning and development process. There are excellent examples of the
development community incorporating urban agriculture into new neighbourhoods. This
includes providing community gardening plots on the ground and on terraces/podiums, as well as through edible landscaping, and container balcony gardening.
The results of the development community survey are included in Section 2.3 of this report. Staff will continue to engage developers and explore an educational workshop
so that industry representatives can learn from each other, and from those who have
successfully integrated urban agriculture into their projects.
3.1.6 Continue encouraging builders to incorporate community and vegetative roof gardens in new development
Based on municipal best practices, multi-residential and high-rise residential buildings
are excellent candidates for builders to consider vegetative roofs and edible
landscaping. Innovative actions have been implemented, such as community garden planters integrated into the private amenity space on podiums and balconies. Through the planning application consultation and review processes, staff have provided written and verbal feedback on the benefits of including urban agriculture options into new
developments. This has led to an increased voluntary consideration of community
garden plots on the ground and building podiums.
Moving forward, staff will continue to promote urban agriculture as a voluntary option during the planning review and approval process.
3.1.7 Explore smaller community garden opportunities in existing parks: determine the
costs associated to establish and report back prior to the 2024 budgetary review period
Staff reassessed the feasibility of an additional community garden within existing City parks using the City’s Community Garden Policy criteria (ADM 240). Unfortunately, existing parks were not determined to be feasible at this time, due to the following
reasons:
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• unfavourable slope/land topography
• no access to water and parking
• extensive existing programming in the space
Through the update to the 2017 Recreation & Parks Master Plan, the City will continue to consider community gardens and the installation requirements when planning future
parks and program space.
At the September 2023 Executive Committee meeting, in consideration of Report FIN 16-23, Committee members asked staff whether three newly vested properties were suitable for community gardening. Staff conducted an in-person site visit to assess each area and determined that the sites were unsuitable for a community garden due to
limited and unsafe access, low-lying wetland area, exceptionally steep slope, no access to water/parking, and mature trees throughout. Although these sites are not satisfactory for a small community garden, one of the sites is ideal for a naturalization project to enhance the existing shrub/tree canopy. Staff are exploring this planting project for fall 2024.
Since the update provided in June through Report SUS 05-23, staff has continued working with Valley Plentiful Community Garden Committee (VPCG), Region of Durham, and Hydro One staff regarding an enhancement project in Diana Princess of Wales Park to increase the number of raised gardens plots and create an accessible parking lot. This work is in alignment with the 2017 City of Pickering Recreation & Parks
Master Plan that noted the City should investigate the potential to provide convenient parking and improved accessibility.
The primary parking area for VPCG users is at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. The current distance from the south garden to the recreation
complex parking lot is approximately 370 metres, and the distance to the second garden
is approximately 470 metres. Given the lengthy distance from the parking area to the garden plots, gardeners with accessibility challenges, seniors, and food bank volunteers have been parking their vehicles along the Kingston Road boulevard. However, the City does not support any parking on the boulevard of this busy road.
Through earlier discussions, we understand the Region of Durham is proceeding with
the proposed Kingston Road reconstruction to accommodate a new Bus Rapid Transit route, a new sidewalk, and a cycle path, which would eliminate the roadside parking activity.
City staff submitted a Provincial Secondary Land Use Program Application seeking
permission to undertake the project in Diana Princess of Wales Park. The scope of work
includes, in-part, a new asphalt parking lot with 13 parking spaces – 2 being barrier-free, and 3 accessible garden plots. City staff are waiting for Hydro One approval. Subject to approval by Hydro One and subject to adoption of the 2024 Budget, the project will be tendered in spring 2024 and construction starting in summer 2024.
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3.1.8 Advancing gardening opportunities through the Pickering Museum Village and George Ashe Library and Community Centre
The Pickering Museum Village staff are also pursuing a "Gather and Grow" urban
agriculture initiative through the communal and healing aspects of food. The phased project begins with an outdoor program space and gardens, opening in fall 2024, followed by an interior exhibit in 2026-2028. Targeting multi-generational, multi-cultural families, the project involves partnerships with local cultural groups and the TRCA. The
outdoor space features a propane-fueled pizza oven, teaching gardens, and a
greenhouse for educational opportunities. Accessible technologies and compliance with the Accessibility for People with Disabilities Act (AODA) will be prioritized onsite.
Additionally, the George Ashe Library & Community Centre was recently granted $25,000 to expand the Plot to Plate Program. The project, named “Lettuce Turnup the
Beat on Gardening”, involves the addition of new accessible garden beds and inclusion
of structured gardening opportunities into City programs. The project aims to align with the deliverables of the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan through the growth of senior’s volunteer programs, and donation of surplus produce to the local food bank. The garden expansion will enable the delivery of recreation culinary programs that focus
on healthy lifestyles, cooking on a budget, and providing information on how to grow
your own food. This project supports the City's Community Garden Program and objectives of the Urban Agriculture Project.
3.1.9 Research planning mechanisms to support onsite urban agriculture through the development approval process
During the planning process, staff will advocate for urban agriculture elements, monitor
legislative changes to the Planning Act, and engage industry representatives. Staff will continue to review planning mechanisms to support onsite urban agriculture through the development planning approval process.
3.1.10 Continue to examine official plan policies and zoning opportunities to support
vertical farming or plant-based manufacturing in the new City Consolidated Zoning By-law
Sustainability staff will actively participate in the upcoming Official Plan review to analyze and evaluate the policies outlined in the City of Pickering Official Plan (POP). Through this process, Sustainability staff will provide guidance and work collaboratively
with Policy Planning staff on updating the policy framework for cultivating food in urban
areas, thereby aiding the community in promoting sustainable and healthy food production practices.
3.2 Long-Term Actions Progress
As outlined in Report SUS 05-23, through ongoing long-term actions staff will explore
partnerships, opportunities, and planning issues/barriers associated with urban
agriculture.
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3.2.1 Research other means to promote or offer support for urban agriculture including, community garden development on private property (e.g. hydro corridors,
conservation land, Region of Durham, places of worship, etc.)
In September 2023, City staff met with TRCA to learn more about their Urban Agriculture Program. TRCA’s program was developed in 2008 and currently includes four urban farms on TRCA properties: Albion Hills Community Farm in the Town of Caledon; Black Creek Community Farm in the City of Toronto; The Living City Farm at
the Kortright Centre in the City of Vaughan; and McVean Farm at Claireville
Conservation Park in the City of Brampton. An individual manages each conventional farm, while a partner organization or private farm entity manages each urban farm. All actively farmed properties are under a lease agreement with TRCA.
In October 2023, City staff met with representatives from Durham College’s Barrett
Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture to discuss the partnership
between Durham College and the Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism Division (Invest Durham). In this example, vacant regional land was allocated on an interim basis to create and operate the urban farm, focusing on urban agriculture practices, research, education, and training. Located in Ajax, the site displays an array
of methods for growing food such as balcony containers, raised beds, compostable
bags, in-ground fields with advanced watering technology, fruit trees, hoop structures, and a large purpose-built container for vertical farming of leafy vegetables.
With support from members of Council, the City is exploring an opportunity to collaborate with DARS and a property owner to develop an urban agriculture
opportunity on a transitional housing project site.
3.2.2 Explore the cost and benefits of retaining services to assist with the development of an Urban Farming (Urban Agriculture Strategy)
Some municipalities have established an urban agriculture strategy (UAS). A UAS is a strategic document that helps identify the municipality’s role in supporting corporate and
community efforts to increase urban-scale food production. Staff will investigate the cost
and benefits of retaining consulting services to assist with developing a city UAS.
3.2.3 Consider including draft performance criteria (supporting urban agriculture) within the Integrated Sustainable Design Standards during the next review cycle for this standard
A few municipalities with green development standards have included a voluntary
performance measure for new development to incorporate urban agriculture design considerations. The purpose of the volunteer measure is to encourage the builder to commit to a minimum percentage of space for food production. Staff have consulted with other municipalities in Durham to investigate the uptake of voluntary urban
agriculture performance measures. Preliminary discussions note that uptake has been
low and, in some cases, too early to confirm.
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City staff have been promoting the benefits of urban agriculture in reviewing new residential development applications. In the last six months, there has been a strong
uptake of applications that have integrated urban agriculture elements into the site and
landscape plans, such as raised garden beds, community gardens on the ground, and tall building podiums. This increase in urban agriculture uptake aligns with the preliminary feedback from the development community, which prefers a flexible urban agriculture performance measure as each site and building product type is different.
Moving forward, staff will continue to promote and monitor the uptake of urban
agriculture design elements in new development. This information will help to inform the ISDS during the next review cycle for this standard.
4. Next Steps to further support Urban Agriculture in the City of Pickering
A resilient food system is important to the City, and urban agriculture continues to be an
important component through its economic, community, and sustainability benefits. As
outlined in this report, in the last eight months, staff initiated a strategy to engage with the public and organizational stakeholders, and achieved various deliverables to support urban agriculture.
Based on engagement results to date, staff will continue with the following next steps:
1. promote urban agriculture and offer educational opportunities for residents through
workshops, program enhancements, tools, and the website 2. stakeholder outreach through in-person meetings, site visits (where appropriate), workshops, and seminars 3. encourage features within new development that enable urban agriculture
4. proactively consider gardens and the installation requirements when planning future
parks and program spaces 5. research other tools to support onsite urban agriculture through the development approval process 6. monitor and, where appropriate, promote urban agriculture policy and zoning
improvements
7. investigate partnership opportunities such as with the Region of Durham, TRCA, Durham College Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, places of worship, schools, etc. 8. explore the feasibility and cost-benefit of retaining a consultant to assist with
developing an Urban Agriculture Strategy
Urban agriculture increases residents’ access to healthy, affordable, fresh produce. City staff will continue to address this important sustainability matter through the actions outlined in this report.
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Subject: Pickering Urban Agriculture Project Update Page 12
Appendix
Appendix I Community Survey Results – Urban Agriculture
Attachments:
1.Resolution #100/23 (Urban Farming Pilot Program Motion by Council)2.Resolution #218/23 (Report SUS 05-23 responding to Council’s Motion)
Prepared By:
Original Signed By
Lalita Paray, MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner, Sustainability
Original Signed By
Chantal Whitaker, BESc (Hons), CSP-P Manager, Sustainability & Strategic Environmental Initiatives
Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Chief Planner
Original Signed By
Kyle Bentley, P. Eng. Director, City Development & CBO
LP:ld
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Appendix I to Report SUS 03-24
Community Survey Results – Urban Agriculture
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Page 10 of 11
Let's Talk Pickering : Summary Report for December 6, 2023 to January 30, 2024
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Page 11 of 11
Attachment 1 to Report SUS 03-24
Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum
March 9, 2023
To: Paul Bigioni Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
Kyle Bentley Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on February 27, 2023
Urban Farming
Council Decision Resolution #100/23
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: (Acting) Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services Manager, Sustainability & Strategic Environmental Initiatives Chief Administrative Officer
WHEREAS, The Corporation of the City of Pickering promotes itself as becoming one of the most sustainable cities in Canada;
And Whereas, rising inflation and grocery prices are affecting the food choices of families making healthy food inaccessible;
And Whereas, poor nutrition ultimately affects one’s overall health putting a burden on
our healthcare system;
And Whereas, supplying families with nutritious eggs raised without hormones and antibiotics at a low cost;
And Whereas, chickens eat grass clippings and food scraps thereby reducing waste;
And Whereas, looking after hens makes staying at home enjoyable and helps educate
children about chicken farming;
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs through the Office of the CAO to consult with stakeholders regarding the implementation of an Urban Farming pilot project for the enjoyment of Urban backyard egg production only and Urban Farming to include Vertical Farming, and
Urban Farming to include Vertical Farming, and that staff report back to Council no later than the end of Q2.
Attachment 2 to Report SUS 03-24
Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum
June 30, 2023
To: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
June 26, 2023
Director, City Development & CBO, Report SUS 05-23 Urban Farming
-Council Resolution #100/23
Council Decision Resolution #218/23
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
1.That Report SUS 05-23 regarding Urban Farming be received;
2.That staff be directed to report back to Council with an update on urban farmingactions as outlined in this report in the first quarter of 2024; and,
3.That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the
necessary actions as indicated in this report.