It's not easy being green (in Markham) (Image: SorinNechita)
The town of Markham has spent much of the last six months debating a proposal that would have forbidden the development of farmland in its east end. Last night, the plan went down in flames as town councillors voted to side with a more traditional growth plan (read: tract housing and two-car garages).
The Toronto Star reports:
The heated debate has pitted environmentalists and those who believe that more outward sprawl without an accompanying investment of transit infrastructure is a recipe for more gridlock against those who believe that growth is inevitable and must be managed and planned for.
At stake is the remaining 2,000 hectares of prime agricultural land, considered the best in Canada, which lies in the white belt and is the focus of battles between environmentalists and developers.
Tuesday’s vote means that about 1,000 hectares will be developed, while the remaining 1,000 hectares of white belt land will be the subject of study by town staff on whether it should be included in a Greenbelt expansion request to the province.
The campaign against the “food belt” had all sorts of humour, including fear-mongering ads about the terrifying prospect of Markham residents having to live in apartments. For their part, the pro-belters trotted out David Suzuki, who favoured the plan. Still, it was voted down 7-6.
• Plan to expand city on GTA farmland to go ahead [Toronto Star]
• Markham doesn’t need David Suzuki to tell it how to grow without paving paradise [Globe and Mail]
So sad… Just when one thinks GTA can actually do something right for a change…
May 18, 2010 at 7:30 am | by GoofballWe’re so stupid. We’re marching straight towards a cliff’s edge, staring at the sky, laughing all the way.
May 18, 2010 at 8:20 am | by Mary EvaBet you anything bribery was involved. What other motivation could there be other than greed to make such a decision???
May 18, 2010 at 9:13 am | by ChristineI hope they all enjoy their food from China…
May 18, 2010 at 9:30 am | by JoJoWhen your in Asia it is fascinating to see areas set aside in major cities for farming…the produce gets top price and the locals love living all around farms which are dotted about like parks. Both can co-exist and it gives so much more of a communty atmosphere. Urban Farms could be a big draw if handled right.
May 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm | by TIM DEVLINWhy should Markham be any different from the rest of southern Ontario? I have seen the same thing in Durham region, where I’ve lived most of my life. I always laugh at the “Welcome to the Greenbelt” sign on the 401. What greenbelt? I agree with Christine about bribery…I’m sure it goes on a lot. And yet if we just look around there are other options, as Tim Devlin suggests.
May 21, 2010 at 5:31 pm | by Magpimarkham will look like crap now…Will never have the same feeling anymore….cant wait to move to stouville to get away from the nips and sprawl
November 17, 2010 at 5:24 pm | by bobYes, farming in the midst of a city is so wonderful that people are beating on these farmhouse doors for the opportunity! If you want to “save” this land, the public needs to compete dollar for dollar with development opportunities. You can’t use the force of law to steal an individual’s land use options.
March 28, 2011 at 4:57 pm | by Shawn