Public feedback prompts review of airport lands proposal

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Public consultation on the proposed transfer of more than 1,300 acres of airport lands from the County of Brant to the City of Brantford has been pushed back until the end of July as both municipalities review the proposal in response to significant public feedback.

In a joint statement released June 30, the City of Brantford and County of Brant said extensive feedback received during June's public engagement campaign has prompted officials to carefully review the proposal and "seriously consider" changes that directly address residents' concerns.

Rather than proceeding immediately with statutory public meetings, both councils will spend the coming weeks considering potential revisions before likely holding public meetings toward the end of July. Any proposed changes will be released publicly in advance to allow residents time to review the updated proposal before providing further input.

The announcement marks the first indication that changes to the original proposal are being contemplated following widespread public concern over the proposed municipal boundary adjustment, which would transfer approximately 1,317 acres, including the Brantford Municipal Airport and surrounding lands, from the County of Brant to the City of Brantford.

Despite repeated questions from The Paris Independent, specific details about what changes are under consideration, were not released.

"We are unable to provide additional information at this time," County of Brant Director of Communications Suzie Keczan said when asked what aspects of the proposal may be revised.

The municipalities confirmed only that revised information will be made public before the statutory meetings expected later this month.

The proposed boundary adjustment has generated significant debate since it was announced earlier this spring. While the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both municipalities is not legally binding, it establishes a framework for negotiating a future restructuring agreement that would see the airport lands transferred to the City while providing more than $9.6 million in compensation to the County and tax protections for affected property owners.

Public concern has focused on several issues, including the loss of agricultural lands, future development potential, transparency surrounding the negotiations and whether a decision of this magnitude should be made before October's municipal election.

One recurring concern raised through the City's Let's Talk Brantford engagement platform centred on protecting farmland and preserving agricultural production.

In its response, the City emphasized that the proposed boundary adjustment would not remove farmland from production or approve development. It said existing agricultural and natural heritage protections would remain in place and any future proposal to redesignate the lands would require a separate planning process under provincial legislation. The City also noted that concerns raised through the consultation process, including those related to farmland and the environment, are among the issues currently being reviewed.

The City also sought to address questions about whether the negotiations are intended to advance future airport expansion or the proposed West Brant Access Route, stating that neither project forms part of the current boundary adjustment proposal and that any future infrastructure projects would require their own planning, financial analysis and council approvals.

Another issue raised repeatedly by residents has been the timing of the negotiations.

Many have argued that an agreement with long-term implications for municipal boundaries, taxation, infrastructure and land-use planning should be left to councils elected this October rather than finalized during the final months of the current term.

Asked whether the municipalities still intend to complete the MOU before the election, Keczan acknowledged the County's concerns with the process.

"As we have previously shared, the County of Brant did not initiate these discussions and while we are disappointed by the manner in which this process was initiated and by the timelines, Council and staff have remain committed to achieving the best possible outcome for County residents, City residents, the Province and First Nations," she said.

The City, meanwhile, maintains that boundary adjustment discussions have been underway for approximately six years and that both current councils remain fully authorized to make decisions throughout their elected terms. It also states that the MOU reflects years of negotiations between two municipalities and that municipal governance continues until new councils are sworn in following the election.

A large crowd attended the June 11 public open house, where residents voiced concerns and asked questions about the proposal. Municipal officials have indicated that feedback collected during those sessions and through the online engagement process is now informing potential revisions to the proposal before it returns to council later this month.