(The dotted line was proposed for an expansion of the industrial lands. The pink lots were getting farm tax status.) 

Following Council’s recent decision to approve the rezoning of the Keating extraction lands, I thought I would share this old video from years ago which again shows the community's values about agricultural land and containing sprawl.

While we were all much younger, the video captures some of the history behind the conversations we are still having today about growth, farmland, industrial land and the future of Keating.

At that meeting, I argued against expanding the Urban Containment Boundary and creating a new “future growth area” and residents spoke very passionately. I also raised concerns about farmland, food security and the consequences of the decisions we make for future generations.

What I also like about the video is that it preserves many different voices.

Residents came forward with questions about transportation, water, servicing costs, agriculture, housing and development. Councillors had different perspectives too. Some of those councillors have since retired. Some are running again. Residents who spoke had their own views and experiences.

All of them are part of the history of the area.

At one point a resident asked a series of questions about the costs and consequences of future development. My answer was simply that we did not know because we had not yet done that work.

The research hadn't been done, but there were councillors who were prepared to keep the expansion on the table as a long-term option.

At 19:26, one councillor said:

“I think the future growth area is a good idea. This is not about development tomorrow. This is about long-term planning with the potential... of something happening in the future.”

I took the opposite view. I argued that expanding the Urban Containment Boundary would encourage sprawl, that there was already room for growth within the existing industrial area, and that farmland and food security had to be protected.

In the end, Council did not extend the containment boundary out to the larger area being contemplated. The boundary remained generally where the purple line is on the map above.

Looking back, I am glad I argued to hold that line.

Can you imagine if the boundary had been expanded to the dotted line?

These consequential debates do not begin with one rezoning application or one Council vote. They build over many years.

It's never over. The discussions and debate continue to shape the choices in front of us today.

Watch the video from the earlier Keating growth discussion