Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

32

Date:

Thursday, February 05, 2026

Time:

10:00 A.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Location:

Ben Franklin Place, The Chamber, Main Floor, 101 Centrepointe Drive, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair: Councillor David Brown, 
• Vice-Chair: Clarke Kelly, 
• Councillor Catherine Kitts, 
• Councillor Matt Luloff, 
• Councillor, Isabelle Skalski, 
• and Ex officio: Mayor Mark Sutcliffe 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Report 32.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Wednesday, February 4^th, 2026, and the deadline to register by email to speak is 9:00 am on Thursday, February 5^th, 2026.

The Chair read the following statement at the outset of the meeting pursuant to the Planning Act:

This is a public meeting to consider the proposed Comprehensive Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments listed as Item(s) 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4 on today’s Agenda.

For the item just mentioned, only those who make oral submissions today or written submissions before the amendments are adopted may appeal the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal. In addition, the applicant may appeal the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal if Council does not adopt an amendment within 90 days of receipt of the application for a Zoning By-law Amendment and 120 days for an Official Plan Amendment.

To submit written comments on these amendments, prior to their consideration by City Council on 11 February 2026, please email or call the Committee or Council Coordinator.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

ARAC Minutes 30 – 1 December 2025 (Special Meeting)

• Carried

3.2

ARAC Minutes 31 – 4 December 2025

• Carried

4.

Responses to Inquiries

4.1

ARAC 2025-01 - Rural Crossing Guards

Vice-Chair C. Kelly moved the following Motion to allow for the lifting of this item onto the agenda for discussion:

• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-01
  Moved by C. Kelly

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee allow discussion of the following item for consideration by the committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to subsection 89(4) of the Procedure By-law (being by-law no. 2022-410) to allow for questions to staff:

  4.1    ARAC 2025-01 - Rural Crossing Guards

  Ms Heidi Cousineau, Manager, Traffic, Safety and Mobility, Public Works Department (PWD), and Mr. Riley Carter, Specialist, Traffic Assessment, PWD, were present to respond to Committee’s questions.

  Carried

5.

Councillor’s Item

5.1

2024 Rural Summit Update – Councillor D. Brown

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee receive this report for information.
• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-02
  Moved by C. Kelly

  Vice-Chair C. Kelly moved the following Motion to allow for this item’s consideration, as the report had not originally been circulated with the Committee meeting agenda.

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee consider the addition of the following Motion and associated documentation pursuant to Subsection 89(3) of the Procedure By-law, so that it may be considered at the first ARAC meeting of 2026.

  WHEREAS on November 2, 2024, the City of Ottawa held the Rural Summit, where the Mayor, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard from rural residents on the most pressing issues affecting rural areas; and

  WHEREAS the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has submitted the report titled Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments to be received by the Committee;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee receive the document titled Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments for information.

  Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke to provide context for the Rural Summit (2024) Update report.  Chair D. Brown then spoke to a detailed slide presentation which served as an overview of the update report.  A copy of this presentation is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.

  The Committee then heard from Ms. Kathy Black, who also provided written correspondence, which is also held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.

  Following questions to the delegation and at the conclusion of Committee discussions, Vice-Chair Kelly moved the following Motion:

  Carried
• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-03
  Moved by C. Kelly

  WHEREAS the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has received a Rural Summit Update, including the Rural Summit Commitment Updates provided with this item, outlining progress and remaining actions on preliminary Rural Summit commitments and priorities;

  WHEREAS continued public input from rural residents, producers, community associations, and rural businesses is necessary to validate progress, identify implementation issues, and confirm priorities for the next phase of work;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Staff from the rural affairs office draft a report outlining key findings and potential action items that address the top recorded concerns brought by rural residents to the 2024 Rural Summit.

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee request that staff include on the agenda for the May 2026 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting an additional opportunity for the public to discuss and provide feedback on the Rural Summit commitments and priorities, informed by the Rural Summit Commitment Updates provided;

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this agenda opportunity include a dedicated agenda item permitting written submissions and public delegations focused on the Commitment Updates and priority-setting.

  The Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments report was then ‘Received’ by the Committee for information.

  Carried

6.

Finance and Corporate Services Department

6.1

Development Charge Exemption Amendment - Rural Unserviced Storage Structures

File No. ACS2025-FCS-FIN-0002 – City-wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend that Council approve:

  1. Adding a discretionary exemption listed under the City-wide Development Charge By-law 2024-218 as Section 7(j.1) to read: Unserviced Storage Structures being not more than 600 sq meters in area on lands identified within Area 3 – Rural (Unserviced) as set out in Schedule A of this by-law and add (j.1) to Section 7(3).
  2. Adding the following definition under the City-wide Development Charge By-law 2024-218 in Section 1: “Unserviced Storage Structure” means a building used strictly for the storage of goods or equipment and being not more than 600 sq meters in area, on lands identified within Area 3 – Rural (Unserviced) as set out in Schedule A of this by-law that is unserviced with water and sanitary facilities and does not include a dwelling unit, retail, office, or assembly activities.
  Carried

7.

Infrastructure and Water Services Department

7.1

Mud Creek Municipal Drain (Part Lot 1, Concessions 1 and 2) – Appointment of Engineer

File No. ACS2026-IWS-WL-0003 - Rideau-Jock (21)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council appoint Mr. Andy Robinson, P. Eng., of Robinson Consultants Inc., as the Engineer of record to prepare a report that addresses the subsequent subdivision of lands (Part Lot 1, Concessions 1 and 2) within the Mud Creek Municipal Drain for Council’s consideration prior to Council making a decision under Subsection 65(1) of the Drainage Act.

  Carried

7.2

Mud Creek Municipal Drain (Part Lots 4 and 5, Concession A) – Appointment of Engineer

File No. ACS2026-IWS-WL-0004 - Rideau-Jock (21)  

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council appoint Mr. Andy Robinson, P. Eng., of Robinson Consultants Inc., as the Engineer of record to prepare a report that addresses the subsequent connection of lands (Part Lots 4 and 5, Concession A) within the Mud Creek Municipal Drain for Council’s consideration prior to Council making a decision under Subsection 65(1) of the Drainage Act.

  Carried

8.

Planning, Development and Building Services Department

8.1

Zoning By-Law Amendment – 7628 Flewellyn Road

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0005 – Rideau-Jock (21)

Messrs. Nico Church (Fotenn), Miguel Tremblay (Fotenn) and Charbel Bouroufail (Owner) had been registered to speak, but opted not to, when asked by Chair Brown whether they needed to speak if Committee were prepared to ‘Carry’ the report recommendations on consent.  Correspondence from the following had also been received relative to this item, and is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk:

1. Emily Schaefer
2. Bryan Zimmerman, North West Goulbourn Community Association
3. Steve and Brenda Virtue

The report recommendations were then put before Committee and were ‘Carried’ as presented.

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 7628 Flewellyn Road, as shown in Document 1, to regularize a salvage yard operation, as detailed in Document 2.
  2. That Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of February 11, 2026,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

8.2

Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment – 635 and 891 Jinkinson Road

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0019 – Rideau-Jock (21)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee:

  1. Recommend Council approve an amendment to Schedule B9, Schedule C11-A and Schedule C11-B of the Official Plan, as detailed in Document 2 – Details of Recommended Official Plan Amendment.
  2. Recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for part of 635 Jinkinson Road and part of 891 Jinkinson Road, as detailed in Document 3 – Details of Recommended Zoning, to permit a quarry expansion.
  3. Approve the Consultation Details Section of this report, included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of February 11, 2026 subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.

  Prior to the consideration of this item, Ms Marcia Wallace, General Manager, Planning, Development and Building Services Department, spoke to explain that staff were requesting deferral of the consideration of this item to the Committee’s next regular or special meeting, as notification to concerned parties of this item’s placement on the Committee agenda had been insufficient.  Vice-Chair Kelly then moved the following:
• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-04
  Moved by C. Kelly

  BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee defer consideration of Report No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0019 - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment – 635 and 891 Jinkinson Road - to the next meeting of ARAC;

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be permitted to include, if necessary, a revised staff report and/or supporting documentation for inclusion in the distribution of the meeting agenda with appropriate notice provided.

  Carried

8.3

Infrastructure Agreement and Area-Specific Development Charge for Shadow Ridge (Greely)

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PS-0015 – City-wide

Correspondence was received from Ms Ursula Melinz (Soloway, Wright, on behalf of CU Developments Lakeland Limited and DCR/Phoenix Development Corporation Limited) and is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.  There being no discussion, the report recommendations were put before Committee and were ‘Carried’, as presented.

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

  1. Delegate authority to the General Manager, Planning, Development and Building Services department to enter into a Third-Party Infrastructure Agreement with DCR Phoenix Development Corporation Limited for the detailed design, tender and construction of the required upgrade project for the drinking water plant for the Shadow Ridge development in the Village of Greely.
  2. Approve an Area-Specific Development Charge, and enactment of an amendment to Development Charge By-law 2024-218, as amended, as described in this report, for the financing of future infrastructure for the Public Service Area in the Village of Greely.
  3. Approve the City of Ottawa 2025 Area-Specific Development Charges Background Study for Water and Wastewater Treatment Village of Greely   Shadow Ridge and Lakeland Meadows.
  Carried

8.4

Official Plan Amendment – 1700 Richardson Side Road

File No. ACS2026-PDB-PSX-0023 – West Carleton-March (5)

The Committee received a detailed slide presentation overview of the report from Jerrica Gilbert, Planner II, Planning, Development and Building Services (PDBS Department.  A copy of this presentation is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.  Adam Brown, Manager, Development Review – Rural, PDBS, was also present to respond to questions. 

Correspondence from the following had also been received relative to this item, and is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk:

1. Reda Taouri
2. Paul Black, Fotenn

Following questions to staff and at the conclusion of Committee discussions, the report recommendations were put before Committee and were ‘Carried’ as presented.

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council refuse an amendment to the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan for 1700 Richardson Side Road, as shown in Document 1.
  2. That Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of February 11, 2026” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

9.

Office of the City Clerk

9.1

Status Update – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Inquiries and Motions – for the Period Ending 27 January 2026

File No. ACS2025-OCC-CCS-0007 - city-wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee receive this report for information.

  Received

10.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

11.

Open Mic Session

1. Glenn Brooks spoke to request Committee support, in principle, for the owners of Pt. Lot 19, Conc. V.’s request for a site-specific minor variance to the City’s By-law 2008-250, S.59. His slide presentation and written submission are held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.
2. Ken Holmes spoke to propose an alternate Transportation Solution for Rural Ottawa. His slide presentation is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.

12.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

12.1

Motion - Vice-Chair C. Kelly for Chair D. Brown – Rural Woodlands Ottawa - ARAC Partnership Tree Planting

File No. ACS2026-OCC-CCS-0005 – City-wide

Originally submitted as a Notice of Motion (Motion No. ARAC 2025-31-04) at the ARAC meeting of Thursday, 4 December 2025, this item returned for the Committee’s consideration at its meeting of Thursday, 5 February 2026, at which time a replacement motion was submitted pursuant to Subsection 59(5) of the Procedure bylaw prior to Committee consideration.

Chair D. Brown spoke briefly to provide background and context for his Motion.  The recommendations, as amended by the above, were then put before Committee and were ‘Carried’.

• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-05
  Moved by C. Kelly

  on behalf of Chair D. Brown

  WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa has established a productive working relationship with the City of Ottawa’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) through collaboration on initiatives such as the Living Snow Fence Pilot Program; and

  WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa and ARAC continue to advocate for the retention and expansion of the rural tree canopy in support of climate resilience, road safety, and rural quality of life;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in partnership with the Ward 21 Councillor, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approve a small tree planting project at 2155 Roger Stevens Drive as a demonstration of the ongoing collaboration with Rural Woodlands Ottawa; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to provide the necessary support and coordination to ensure that the planting proceeds in spring 2026, including engagement with Rural Woodlands Ottawa and any partners of the project.

  Vice-Chair C. Kelly then introduced the following additional Motion:
• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-06
  Moved by C. Kelly

  WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa has established a productive working relationship with the City of Ottawa’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) through collaboration on initiatives such as the Living Snow Fence Pilot Program; and

  WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa and ARAC continue to advocate for the retention and expansion of the rural tree canopy in support of climate resilience, road safety, and rural quality of life;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in partnership with the Ward 21 Councillor, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve a small tree planting project at 2155 Roger Stevens Drive which Rural Woodlands Ottawa will maintain for the establishment period as a demonstration of our ongoing collaboration; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to provide the necessary support and coordination to ensure that the project will proceed in spring 2026, including engagement with Rural Woodlands Ottawa and any partners of the project.

  Carried

12.2

Motion - Vice-Chair C. Kelly - Agricultural Impact Assessments (AIA)

File No. ACS2025-OCC-CCS-0006 - City-wide

WITHDRAWN

Vice-Chair Kelly spoke to explain that he had withdrawn his Motion as the Province had recently made improvements in the area of Agricultural Impact Assessments, thereby negating the need for his proposed Motion.

13.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

There were no Notices of Motion.

14.

Inquiries

There were no Inquiries.

15.

Other Business

There was no other business.

15.1

Extension of Municipal Concurrence for the Proposed Antenna System at 8230 Bleeks Road

Vice-Chair C. Kelly introduced the following Motion, on behalf of Chair D. Brown, for Committee’s consideration at the ARAC meeting of Thursday, 5 February 2026.

Chair D. Brown spoke briefly to provide background and context for this Motion.  The recommendations were then put before Committee and were ‘Carried’, as presented.

• Motion No. ARAC 2026-32-07
  Moved by C. Kelly

  on behalf of Chair D. Brown

  WHEREAS the concurrence for the antenna system at 8230 Bleeks Road expired and the applicant wishes to proceed with the project at the earliest opportunity.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following item be added to the agenda of the meeting of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee of February 5, 2026 pursuant to the Procedure By-law, subsection 89(3).

  WHEREAS the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems, issue 6, requires proponents of proposals for new antenna systems to consult with municipalities and the public; and

  WHEREAS 4.5 of CPC-2-0-03 states that after three years, consultations will no longer be deemed valid except in the case where a proponent secures the agreement of the relevant land-use authority to an extension for a specified time period in writing; and

  WHEREAS staff provided the City’s concurrence through the Council-approved municipal concurrence and public consultation process for antenna systems for 8230 Bleeks Road on November 3, 2021; and

  WHEREAS the three-year period has expired, and City’s process does not provide staff with delegated authority to extend municipal concurrence; and

  WHEREAS the 2021 application for 8230 Bleeks Road remains unchanged; and

  WHEREAS the proponent has indicated they now intend to proceed with the proposed antenna which would improve service for cellular telephone users in the area.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve that the municipal concurrence for the proposed antenna system at 8230 Bleeks Road be extended by 24 months, lapsing on November 3, 2026.

  Carried

16.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

• Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (Jt. meeting with Planning and Housing Committee)
• Tuesday, March 5, 2026 (Regular ARAC meeting)

The meeting adjourned at 12:03 pm.