Prince Edward County is preparing to remove development charges for farm properties.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Councillor Bill Roberts tabled a motion to have municipal staff prepare a report on how to implement an exemption to development charges for farmers building on agricultural land in order to support agricultural business. The report is scheduled to come back before the new council in the first quarter of 2027. The proposed exemption would apply only for farmers registered as farm businesses, and only for non-residential buildings. In the motion, Councillor Roberts notes that agriculture contributes greatly to the county’s economy, and that development charges on farm buildings is an obstacle to farmers growing their business.
The motion prompted significant discussion in the council chambers. Councillor Chris Braney supported the motion, in order to help the county’s agricultural sector.
“Farming in Prince Edward County has been steeped with a rich tradition for over 200 years, and it’s built our community,” said Councillor Braney. “With everything going on south of the border geo-politically right now, food security is paramount, and we need to support our farmers.”
During discussion of the motion, Councillor David Harisson proposed an amendment to have municipal staff stop collecting development charges for qualifying properties in the interim. That amendment to the motion was adopted as a friendly amendment without a vote.
Council later voted to approve the motion as amended.
