Farmers want more control over use of their land

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

A major point of contention facing West Hants council and planners at the Feb. 21 public meeting focused on the conservation of agricultural land.

The municipal council chambers were jam-packed for a public information session to introduce the proposed West Hants Municipal Planning Strategy.

In the new strategy, prime agricultural zones will have stringent controls on non-agricultural development. Land designated ‘Prime Agriculture’ will be reserved primarily for long-term agricultural production. Priority two agricultural lands will also be reserved with limited non-agricultural development.

In order to develop land for any purpose other than farming, property owners will be required to show their land has “little or no agricultural capability for farm development and would not interfere with adjacent farm activities or the viability of the farming area,” before any other development agreement would be considered.

Dill Road resident Jim White said the proposal was too restrictive and would tie the hands of landowners interested in utilizing their properties for something other than farming. “I’m speaking on behalf of the ‘non-millionaire’ farmers whose ability to develop their land is tied up by planning agreements.”

White said it basically puts a freeze on the few assets farmers have. “Poor farmers could lose $10,000 in value if they can’t potentially develop their property. Lack of farmland is not something we suffer from in Hants West.”

Falmouth farmer Dean Manning agreed with the proposed agricultural zoning. “As a farmer, I support this. Food is a huge issue and will become larger down the road. We shouldn’t cut off our nose to spite the face,” he said.

Barbara Gallagher of Walton applauded the efforts of the planning department to conserve farmland and said she firmly believes land security is an important issue. She added, however, “what we’re doing to some of these farmers is putting an easement on their property. They should be compensated for loss of value.”

Coun. Shirley Pineo said she was unsure how to respond to that statement; she noted that the feedback they had received previously indicated farmers were concerned about land preservation.

Senior planner Lynn Davis said, “all agricultural zones have restrictions but there is a process where a change can be considered. Council can consider rezoning providing the land is shown to be unsuitable for farming.”

Assistant planner Jane Sodero stated that planning had taken into account concerns raised previously by landowners and that the new strategy is lease restrictive in that it takes into consideration areas of landholdings that are limited for agricultural use because of slope, wetness, size of parcel, and so on.

Council and planning pointed out that the purpose of the public meeting was to answer questions regarding the proposed strategy, but primarily to hear feedback from residents.