A rezoning application that will permit housing on farmland passed third reading at Township council on July 11.

However, the proponent will be required to make a contribution to the 91原创 Sustainability Agricultural Foundation, which is aimed at enhancing agricultural viability in the municipality.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very confusing,鈥� Councillor Mel Kositsky commented.

鈥淚t鈥檚 bad planning policy,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what the Agricultural Land Commission was thinking.鈥�

The ALC rejected an application to remove three parcels covering 11 acres at 4386 216 St., and 21696 and 21846 44 Ave. from the reserve, but allowed the proponents, who include Alan Hendricks and other owners, to subdivide to create 21 houses within the ALR.

The proponents had argued that the property鈥檚 long frontage of 2,100 feet and its narrow depth of 179 feet put serious constraint on agricultural use, and said that farm uses are not compatible 鈥渨ith a nice residential neighbourhood across the street.鈥�

The ALC concluded in March, 2010 that the land 鈥渉as agricultural capability鈥� and is appropriately designated in the ALR. But it also wrote that the property is 鈥渘ot very suitable for agricultural use.鈥�

A recommendation of the ALC and the 91原创 Agricultural Advisory Commission, the foundation is similar to those in other municipalities. But it is relatively new in 91原创, having been established only this year. Just how much Hendricks and the other land owners will have to contribute must be decided before council considers final reading of the bylaw.

Kositsky, backed by Councillor Kim Richter, wanted council to defer third reading of the rezoning bylaw so that uncertainties about the foundation could be cleared up.

鈥淲e need to clearly identify what the benefit is to agriculture,鈥� Richter said.

Councillor Grant Ward defended building houses on farm land. 鈥淭here is good land and bad land (in the ALR),鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is part of the bad land.鈥�

He called the motion to defer third reading 鈥渁 delaying tactic.鈥�

The motion to defer was defeated, and council gave the bylaw third reading with only Kositsky opposed.