Local farmers have mounted a letter writing campaign in an effort to convince Mapleton council not to proceed with a proposal to implement development charges on rural construction.
Correspondence received at the Jan. 10 meeting included 14 nearly-identical letters (a few contained hand-written additions) from Mapleton farmers and farm families.
The type-written text of the letters state the correspondent is a “concerned farmer in Mapleton” and requests agriculture be exempted from development charges.
Mapleton’s current development charges bylaw includes a 100 per cent exemption for buildings constructed for “a bona fide farm use.” A proposal presented at a public meeting on Oct. 11 would see the exemption reduced to 75%. That would mean someone building a new barn, for example, would pay 25% of the non-residential rate of $2.65 per square foot of gross floor area, which works out to 66 cents/ft2.
The letters listed five reasons for the requested exemption.
“1. Agriculture in Mapleton is a driving force of the economy. Many people are employed with this sector, from farms to product processing, transportation of goods, and suppliers. If the growth of the agricultural industry is hindered, there will be a ripple effect. This impacts not only farmers but the larger population that is employed within the agricultural sector. According to the 2011 Census in Agriculture, Wellington County farms generate more than $685 million in farm gate receipts annually, provide 58,000 weeks of work to the local labour market. Wellington farmers are stewards of over 495,000 acres of land.
“2. Farm structures house livestock, store feed and other farm products or provide space for the repair and storage of equipment. New farm buildings often replace old structures. In general, a new building will be single story and create a large footprint that will generate significant development charges. A new building likely improves efficiency but does not necessarily increase production. Farmers who build new structures are required to pay costs for engineering, nutrient management plans, builder fees, materials, building permit fees (and) borrowing costs. The added expense of a development charge … could easily range from $10,000 to $30,000. New farm structures will not generate a need for a bigger arena or additional library space like a new house would.
“3. Agriculture is a uniquely different sector of the economy. Many aspects of the agricultural industry have experienced challenges over the last few years including downturns in the economy, disease outbreaks, etc. Many of us have borrowed heavily on the equity we have in our farms. There is little if any room in farm budgets for additional taxation.
“4. Farm families are also residents of Mapleton and pay their fair share of development charges when building a new home, just like every other resident. As well, we pay the residential rate of property tax on our homes and the acre of land surrounding that home, just like every other resident.
“5. Recent MPAC assessments have increased considerably for most of us. The township will receive additional revenue through this increase in taxes over the next few years.”
The letter also states, “The impact of development charges on growth in the agriculture sector in Mapleton will be serious. Agriculture must remain exempt from development charges.”
Council heard from delegations, including farmers and farm organizations opposed to the charges, at council meetings on Oct. 11 and Nov. 6.
A public meeting to gather input on the township’s proposed development charges bylaw and underlying background study is set for Jan. 26 at 7pm at the Maryborough Community Centre in Moorefield.
