Airport land proposal scaled back

The revised proposed Brantford Municipal Airport boundary adjustment map removes 469 acres of agricultural land and eliminates lands associated with the proposed West Brant Access Route transportation corridor, reducing the total transfer area from 1,317 acres to 848 acres following public feedback.

Paris Independent Staff

The City of Brantford and the County of Brant have scaled back the proposed Brantford Municipal Airport boundary adjustment following public feedback, removing 469 acres of agricultural land from the original proposal.

After a public engagement process held throughout May and June, both municipal councils agreed to revise the proposed boundary adjustment map, reducing the transfer area to 848 acres from the original 1,317 acres.

The updated proposal also removes lands associated with a potential transportation corridor being studied as part of the City of Brantford's West Brant Access Route Environmental Assessment. Municipal officials noted in a press release issued early last week that the environmental assessment remains ongoing and is separate from the airport boundary adjustment process.

The changes closely mirror many of the concerns voiced by residents in recent months throughout the consultation process, and in letters submitted to the Paris Independent particularly around the protection of farmland and the potential connection between the airport lands transfer and the proposed West Brant Access Route.

A letter to the editor submitted to The Paris Independent by Brantford resident and farmer Adam Parsons focused on protecting agricultural land, describing the affected properties as "productive farmland" that contributes to the local economy, food supply and rural heritage. He wrote that once farmland is lost, "it is rarely recovered," and expressed concern the annexation could become "the first step toward additional urban encroachment into surrounding agricultural lands."

According to the two municipalities, the revisions were made in direct response to public input received through the Let's Talk Brantford online engagement portal, two public open houses held June 11 at Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course, and emails and phone calls submitted by residents.

Officials said the revised map reflects a commitment by both municipalities to ensure public feedback plays a meaningful role in shaping proposals of this significance.

Residents are encouraged to review the updated boundary adjustment map, which is now available on the Let's Talk Brantford website. The online engagement portal has also reopened to collect additional public feedback on the revised proposal. Further opportunities for public input will be provided through two upcoming statutory public meetings before councils consider the updated proposal.

The City of Brantford will hold its statutory public meeting on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Brantford City Hall, 58 Dalhousie St. The County of Brant will follow with its statutory public meeting on Wednesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. in council chambers at the County Administration Building, 7 Broadway St. W. in Paris.

Details on how residents can participate in both meetings will be released before the meeting dates.

In a joint statement, the City of Brantford and the County of Brant thanked residents, landowners and community members who participated in the consultation process.

Municipal officials said the public's feedback "has made a meaningful difference to this proposal" and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, accountability and continued public engagement as the process moves forward.

More information, including the revised boundary adjustment map, is available through the Let's Talk Brantford engagement portal.