Sustainable cities instead of urban sprawl

To the Editor:

I was disturbed to read the editorial in the June 26, 2007 edition of The Advertiser concerning the “misunderstanding” and “misinformation” that the Greenwich citizens had around the proposal to extend the hamlet to Wolfville. The real issue of development on prime agricultural land is getting sidetracked by a focus on personalities.

The editorial stated that the farmers did not want to see their land developed into housing. The point is that once farmland is rezoned to residential it’s destined for development at some point — it may not be with the present generation. This is happening in Coldbrook, where the growth centre boundaries were extended to encompass three beautiful farms in 1992.

One of the farmers died this past winter and not only is his farm targeted for 100 houses, but the developer wants to extend the proposal into 20 acres of protected agricultural land. Where does it end? And does it mean that each community has to invest tremendous time and energy to save each section of what’s left of our prime soils, as is happening in Weston where 300 houses are proposed, and Port Williams with another huge development plan?

Farmer and PAC member Hank Bosveld expressed concern about the Greenwich proposal in a May meeting: “Only nine to 11 per cent of the Valley floor has viable agricultural land and it is impossible to farm the rocks on the north and south mountain.”

The cluster housing concept whereby housing is clustered in rows allowing for more open green space is the latest buzzword to make farmland development more attractive. It is still urban sprawl and the conflicts with agricultural operations are huge.

The argument is made that the green space can still be farmed. Imagine who will lose out when 2,000 residents in Greenwich’s future cluster development complain about the lone farmer trying to spray pesticides or spread manure.

Too, who protects the green space from future development? Avard Bishop of Noggins Farm stated quite emphatically at the June 19 public meeting on Greenwich, “it doesn’t work.” He gave a number of examples of conflicts that he has had to deal with, including involvement of his insurance company. The question also arises as to who protects the green space from future development.

Municipalities need to consider the Smart Growth concept being used in parts of Ontario and elsewhere to create compact sustainable cities rather than urban sprawl that eats up farmland and creates traffic issues along with environmental problems such as air pollution. Where is our vision for a sustainable future?

Leslie Wade

Coldbrook