On-Farm Diversified Uses Review Online Survey

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is reviewing its approach to on-farm diversified uses (OFDUs).

An OFDU is a small-scale, secondary business located on a farm. These could include a small shop or café, a workshop, agri-tourism or home-based business. The business or activity does not need to be directly connected to what is grown or produced on the farm, but farming must continue to be the main use of the property.

The Town is seeking feedback from farmers, agricultural businesses, residents and other members of the community to help determine how OFDUs should be permitted and regulated in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The feedback received through this survey will help inform the recommendations of the OFDU Review.

Which of the following best describes your interest in On-Farm Diversified Uses? Select one.

* required

I am a Niagara-on-the-Lake Resident

I own a Business in Niagara-on-the-Lake

I am a Farmer or farm operator in Niagara-on-the-Lake

I own or operate a Winery or vineyard

I currently operate an OFDU

I visit Niagara-on-the-Lake on a regular basis

Other (please specify)

Overall, how supportive do you think the Town should be of opportunities for farmers to establish OFDUs? Select one.

Very Supportive

Somewhat Supportive

Neutral

Somewhat Restrictive

Very Restrictive

Unsure

What are your greatest concerns, if any, about permitting OFDUs?

Select up to three.

* required

Loss of productive agricultural land

OFDUs becoming larger or more prominent than the farm operation

Traffic and/or parking

Noise and/or lighting

Impacts on neighbouring properties

Impacts on nearby agricultural operations

Frequency or size of events

I do not have significant concerns

Available servicing

Other (please specify)

Preface/Explanatory Note: About the size of OFDUs

OFDUs are required to be secondary to the main agricultural use of a property and be limited in area. The policies of the adopted Official Plan would require OFDUs that are more than 500m2 to apply for an amendment to the zoning by-law. This study is considering whether to increase that threshold so that large OFDUs that comply with all other regulations can proceed without the need for a zoning by-law amendment.

Question: Thinking about the space that may be needed to support an OFDU (including new buildings, parking areas and other facilities), how much development area do you think should be permitted on a farm property before a more detailed planning approval, such as a Zoning By-law Amendment, is required?

* required

Up to 250 m² (approximately one tennis court)

Up to 750 m² (approximately three tennis courts)

Up to 1,000 m² (approximately four tennis courts)

More than 1,000 m²

The amount should depend on the size of the farm

Unsure

The Study is considering whether existing buildings used for OFDUs should count towards the total allowable area for an OFDU. How much of an OFDU within an existing building should count against the allowable area?

* required

0% (re-using an existing building for an OFDU would not count against the allowable limit)

25%

50%

75%

100% (all of an existing building used for an OFDU would count against the allowable limit)

No preference

Which approach do you think would best balance opportunities for OFDUs with the protection of agricultural land?

* required

Allow OFDU area based mainly on the size of the farm

Establish the same OFDU area threshhold for every farm

Use a combination, where OFDU area is based on farm size but is also subject to an overall threshold that applies to all farms

Allow the appropriate area to depend mainly on the type of OFDU proposed

Unsure

Which factors do you think are most important when determining whether outdoor events held on farms are appropriate?

* required

Number of events held each year

Number of guests attending an event

Size of the area used for events

Hours of Operation

Noise or amplified music

Traffic and parking

Distance from neighbouring homes

Amount of agricultural land used

Whether the event is connected to the farm operation

Other (please specify)

To what extent do you agree that smaller/simpler OFDUs with limited impacts should be permitted through a simpler approval process compared to a larger or more intensive OFDUs? This could include exemption from site plan control or fewer supporting studies required.

* required

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Unsure

Which factors should the Town consider when deciding whether an OFDU can proceed through a simpler approval process? Select all that apply:

* required

Size of the OFDU

Amount of new construction required

Amount of agricultural land affected

Traffic and parking generated by the use

Noise and lighting

Proximity to neighbouring homes

Whether events or large gatherings are proposed

Whether existing farm buildings and infrastructure will be reused

Other (please specify)

10.

How important are each of the following considerations when the Town develops its approach to OFDUs?

* required

Protecting productive agricultural land

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Supporting the economic viability of farms

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Providing opportunities for new and innovative farm businesses

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Limiting impacts on neighbouring residential properties

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Limiting impacts on surrounding agricultural operations

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Supporting Niagara-on-the-Lake's tourism economy

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

Making the application and approval process clear and straightforward

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important

11.

Are there any specific uses or activities that you do not think should be permitted as an OFDU in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Please explain.

* required

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

12.

Are there any specific uses or activities that you think should be permitted as an OFDU that are not currently permitted, or that are currently difficult to establish?

* required

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

13.

Do you have any other comments or suggestions about how the Town should plan for on-farm diversified uses?

* required

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

14.

What is your age group?

* required

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

15.

How long have you lived and/or operated your business in the municipality?

Display only where "Resident" or “Business owner in Niagara-on-the-Lake” is selected in Question 1.

* required

Less than 1 year

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

16-20 years

More than 20 years

I do not live or operate a business in the municipality