Councillors in Prince Edward County want to be cautious when it comes to making changes to how they deal with fencelines and hedgerows.
Council discussed the ‘slippery slope’ they could be headed down if suggested changes in their draft official plan are implemented.
Farmers and the agricultural community and how they would be affected by the changes prompted most of the discussion.
Manager of Planning Paul Walsh told those in council chambers he could state explicitly the policy won’t affect agriculture.
Acting CAO Robert McAuley said they need to have this policy in place in case the municipality is taken to the Ontario Housing Tribunal.
Councillor Janice Maynard felt the motion referenced agriculture too often for her to be comfortable with it, suggesting there was a way to reword the motion and policy without using agriculture, while still achieving their goal to protect the fencelines and tree lines in the county.
The report was sent back to staff to have another look at the wording in the policies before coming back to council.
Councillor Brad Nieman, who asked for the motion be sent back to staff, said he wanted to see different wording as to not target farms.
