Site Plan Presented at Public Meeting
Charlottetown, The Guardian: Local News | Capital city squeezed out but still in control of Upton Farm planning
August 5, 2009 by uptonfarmPUBLIC MEETING-JULY 30, 2009
July 22, 2009 by uptonfarmPlease come out and show your support on July 30th. Take your friends and family along!
IMPORTANT REZONING MEETING
4:30 pm
THURSDAY, JULY 30/09
CHARLOTTETOWN HOTEL
4:30 pm
Notice of Public Meeting
Map
Kirsten Connor’s Speech from June Press Conference
July 13, 2009 by uptonfarm
Thank you. Ladies & Gentlemen. Preserving this significant portion of the Upton Farmlands as green space for public use and in perpetuity is a testimony to vision and cooperation.
A hundred years from now, when the Charlottetown area takes in half of Queens County, people will say, “where would we be without Upton Farm?”, just as we say today, – “where would we be without Victoria Park”.
When thousands of buildings have been built and torn down again, the Upton Farm will still be there in all its splendor and more valuable than ever.
The support for preserving this land has been extraordinary and enduring right from 2,000 people signing petitions three years ago to joining in with e-mails and calls later.
Many groups such as the Shellfishers’ Association, the Women’s Institute, Island Trails, the Rural Beautification Society, the Island Nature Trust and others supported us.
Many hands and many minds have worked to reach this day. I want to pay particular tribute to our small working group. We have met almost weekly for 2 ½ years, written thousands of e-mails and attended endless meetings.
Laurie McBurney, Kathy Kennedy, Cheryl Stead, Dianne Bradley, Katherine McQuaid, Jan Rankin-Collie and Heidi Hyndman are those dedicated and loyal people.
As well, we are indebted to our spouses and families for their interest, help and patience.
We also want to applaud Mayor Lee and City Council for their vision and courage early on. Their support, along with that of both Government and Opposition Members of the Legislature, convinced Canada Lands Corporation to take a second look at the use of this beautifully situated land.
We commend Canada Lands Corporation for striking a Consultation Committee consisting of representatives from the City, the Province, CLC and our Network from which sprang the agreement announced here today.
There are only winners in this agreement. The Bio-Science Campus, when designed well, will be compatible and will be a very attractive home for this concept.
The City will retain a valuable tax asset within City limits, along with having a green, impressive and memorable entrance to the Capital.
Canada Lands Corporation has fulfilled its mandate, both with regards to disposing of an asset, as well as listening to the community.
It has been a pleasure working with the Premier and government officials on this agreement, and in particular, noticing their understanding of the importance of securing preservation of this land in perpetuity.
I want to thank Premier Ghiz and Dr. Mayne and other government officials for respectful and courteous discourse throughout. It was a pleasure, thank you.
We look forward to continued pleasant cooperation as we work on the formation of the Upton Farm Trust. The full agreement can be found on our website at
In closing, I want to thank each and every one who helped in any way in accomplishing this great goal.
I hope that Upton Farm will give the citizens of this City and Province pleasure to the end of time. Let’s enjoy —–
Industrial Park, green space go side-by-side at Upton Farm
June 19, 2009 by uptonfarmUFPN PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 2009 by uptonfarmThe Upton Farm Preservation Network is very pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between the Provincial Government, Canada Lands Corporation and UFPN whereby a large amount of the Upton Farmlands will be preserved as green space. The land is situated on both sides of the Trans Canada Highway and along the North River banks from the Beach Grove forest to the land reserved for expansion of the arterial highway, approximately 150 acres in total. Ownership of the land being preserved will be vested in a public trust similar to the Island Nature Trust.
This is a fantastic resolution to preserving this beautiful piece of land as green space, as the greater Charlottetown area grows and more and more land disappears to development. Not since Victoria Park was founded has there been such a bold initiative, which will benefit, in perpetuity, a large number of people.
Founder of the Network, Kirsten Connor, states that this was a community effort and could not have been accomplished without the support of many people and organizations. “The grassroots support I received when presenting petitions, which eventually collected over 2,000 names, gave impetus for proceeding, drew the media and other people to the cause”, she says. Many important groups also gave their support, including the Shellfishers Association, Island Trails, the Women’s Institutes, the Rural Beautification Society, the Island Nature Trust and others. Among all the support, she cites especially the small dedicated working group that have carried out the day-to-day efforts. Those loyal people are Laurie McBurney, Kathy Kennedy, Cheryl Stead, Dianne Bradley, Katherine McQuaid, Jan Rankin-Collie, and Heidi Hyndman. Without their steady and faithful commitment over the last 2 ½ years the project would never have succeeded.
Another turning point was when the Mayor and City Council caught the vision of what preserving this land would mean for the future of an attractive city and province. They stepped in and asked Canada Lands Corporation to retract their application for development. “This was a timely and courageous move on the part of the City, for which they deserve much praise”, says Mrs. Connor.
A third turning point was a town hall meeting hosted by then MLA Wes MacAleer. The attendance at this meeting was overwhelming and caught the attention of both political parties in the Legislature, and earned their support. Through common efforts by all, Canada Lands Corporation agreed, not only to a moratorium on development, but engaged all the parties—-the City, the Province and the Network—-to a consultation process with them. This resulted in an agreement of the Committee members to offer part of the land, along the Upton Road, to the Provincial Government to be used as a bio-science park. This proposal was accepted and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Canada Lands Corporation, the Provincial Government and the Upton Farm Preservation Network that lays out the conditions, including setting up the Upton Farm Trust.
There are only winners in this agreement. The bio-science campus, when appropriately designed for the location, will be compatible and a very attractive ‘home’ for the campus. The City will retain a valuable tax asset within city limits, along with having a green, impressive and memorable entrance to the capital. Canada Lands Corporation has fulfilled their mandate, both with regards to disposing of an asset, as well as listening to the community.
All the parties to the consultation process are to be commended for their time, commitment and respectful conduct. I personally want to thank my co-members, Mayor Clifford Lee, Councillor Cecil Villard, Deputy Minister Tracey Cutcliffe, Mr. Ron Paschal, Mr. Bob Howald and our two working group members, Dianne Bradley and Heidi Hyndman.
“As a group”, says Kirsten Connor, “we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who contibuted support in any way. And last but not least, a very special thank you to our spouses and families for their patience, participation and encouragement. The Upton Farm Preservation Network is satisfied that this is a great agreement and applaud the Premier and his government for their commitment and vision in preserving this land and for working with us to achieve this serious, solid and futuristic arrangement. We look forward to working with the Province, the City and the community to make this a place for everyone; a place of peace and tranquility for some; and a place to learn, run and play for others. This is a great day; let’s go and enjoy!”
A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding, along with this Press Releases is posted on our web site:
For further information please contact Kirsten Connor at 892-3839.
Pictured above: Ron Keefe, Mike Mayne, Premier Ghiz, and Kirsten Conner
Land agreement for Upton Farmlands
Proposed plan for Upton Farmlands
UFPN Working Group-Kirsten Connor, Heidi Hyndman, Cheryl Stead, Jan Rankin-Collie, Kathy Kennedy, Katherine McQuaid, and Dianne Bradley. Missing from photo is Laurie McBurney
UFPN strikes deal with Provincial Goverment and Canada Lands Corporation
June 19, 2009 by uptonfarm
The Beauty of Upton Farm
March 25, 2009 by uptonfarm
No words are needed to describe the beauty of Upton Farm. Help us save this land for the use of residents and visitors alike. Thanks to Heidi Hyndman for photo.
Minutes of November Consultation Meeting
March 24, 2009 by uptonfarm
Winter frolics at Upton
Upton Farmlands Consultation Process Meeting # 6
Monday, November 24, 2008
Present:
Tracy Cutcliffe Deputy Minister, Province of PEI
Kirsten Connor Upton Farm Preservation Network
Heidi Hyndman Upton Farm Preservation Network
Ron Pachal General Manager, Real Estate, Atlantic, Canada Lands Company
Robert Howald Vice President, Real Estate, Eastern Region, Canada Lands Company
Jeff Evenson Canadian Urban Institute – Facilitator
AGENDA
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Minutes of Meeting #5
3. Updates from Participants
4. Discussion / Priorities / Items of Interest to the Consultation
5. Next steps
6. Adjourn
MINUTES
1. The Draft Minutes of Consultation Meeting #5 (October 27, 2008) were reviewed, corrected and approved by participants. The corrected version is attached. Participants agreed to the proposed
agenda for the meeting.
2. Updates:
UFPN
Kirsten indicated that the UFPN working group met to discuss the consultation group’s response to the UFPN’s request to meet with the Premier. After that meeting, Kirsten sent a letter to Jeff Evenson dated November 5 which was circulated to members of the consultation group (see attached). Kirsten also indicated that school children were observed planting bulbs on the Upton
Farm property. It was also reported that the local Canada Lands person was observed taking pictures. Ron indicated that he had asked Don to take pictures.
Canada Lands
Bob reminded the group that CLC is a non agency crown corporation (does not receive grants from the federal government). CLC is the land disposal agent of the government and cannot stray from that mandate. In light of the global economic situation and the recent statements of the Minister of Finance, the CLC Board is bound to raise the issue of the disposal of assets. All of CLC’s assets will likely be assessed under a fresh light. Bob underlined the importance of the group coming to agreement with a plan of action for the lands.
Ron reported that there continues to be interest in the lands. He had been contacted by a consultant to a party interested in exploring the land for an interactive children’s theme park. He also circulated a letter from Charlottetown regarding the use of the lands for a concert venue in 2009. Bob indicated that the CLC may not be in a position to make any commitment that binds the
land for a specific use.
Province of PEI
Tracy reiterated that her mandate and direction was to be a passive observer/supporter of consultation process and whatever solution to the Uplands Farm issue could be found by the consultation group. Tracy indicated that she has no mandate to discuss acquiring the Upton lands as
green space. The Province has a parks system and Upton is not being considered as an addition to that system. The Province is not looking at Upton for the Bio Commons nor is it looking at the lands for a nursing home. The Province is not supporting the City of Charlottetown on acquiring a permanent or temporary concert venue site on the Upton Lands. The Province is currently drafting
policies about concert venues. Tracy indicated that she had sought and received clarification on her mandate and direction as late as that day (November 24th). In response to a question, Tracy indicated that she received her direction from the Premier’s Office.
Discussion
Bob asked whether the Bio Commons might be considered on the site if it was supported by the group as a solution and the land was no longer controversial. Tracy indicated that if the group came to an agreement and wanted to pitch the province she would give the province a heads up.
Kirsten asked if the recently announced (provincial) museum might be sited on the Upton farm lands. Tracy indicated that a consultant would be hired to study among other issues, whether the museum should be located in a current structure or a new building. The land cost of the Upton site would seem to be too expensive to support a museum project.
Kirsten asked whether the City could apply to the Province’s “community fund” to buy the Upton Farm lands. Tracy explained that the fund was intended to be used to meet the built infrastructure (“bricks and mortar”) needs that are not covered under the federal suite of programs, not land acquisition. In any case the City would have to identify the acquisition of the Upton lands as an
infrastructure priority.
Heidi asked if the province won’t purchase the land, would CLC consider leaving the land undeveloped if it was made whole. Bob indicated that the CLC’s objectives remain the same as at theoutset – to dispose of the land and to recover its costs. So yes, CLC would consider such a proposition.
The group also discussed how donated money might be used to reduce the amount of land that would need to be developed to generate revenue to acquire and maintain the property as green space.
Next Steps
1. Heidi Hyndman indicated that she would initiate an exploration of opportunities for philanthropic donations to purchase Upton lands.
2. Concurrently it was agreed to convene a meeting of the UFPN working group to discuss, as a starting point, land to be preserved at Upton and land at Upton that might be used to generate revenue. It was noted that the meeting could not be held until after December 6 when some
members of the UFPN working group were back in town. Saturday afternoon was preferred. Jeff and Nicole have offered to help facilitate such a meeting and CLC has agreed to support the initiative.
3. It was agreed that at the next meeting the group would hear reports on the results of Heidi’s explorations and the results of the meeting of the UFPN working group.
Protecting Upton Farm – Letter to the Editor
February 28, 2009 by uptonfarm
Protecting Upton Farm
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published in The Guardian 12 Feb. 2009
Editor:
Re: Feb. 3 ‘N.S. concert promotor awaits P.E.I. plans’. We can feel secure now that Upton Farm is not going to become the site for a noisy major summer concert this year for which we are deeply grateful. In the midst of this long, cold, snowy and blustery winter, this news is like a breath of pure spring air as the news was presented in The Guardian by Gordon McIvor, vice-president of Canada Lands.
However, we are apprehensive about the direction that may be taken about the future status and use of the Upton Farm property, which we understand is to be imminently presented.
Upton Farm is one of the unique and valued treasures of this extraordinary Island, and we must take every positive step to ensure that it will always remain for the present and future generations. The need to protect its natural green space reflecting its flora and fauna and all that lives in it should be recognized for all generations. And in realizing its natural capacities, we should augment it with visually attractive landscaping designs, already initiated by the students in the planting of hundreds of bulbs in the fall of 2008 for our colourful spring enjoyment. An endless potential is inherent in enhancing the rich natural capacity of Upton Farm as well as to deeply respect our many citizens who want to preserve it.
Many of us are acutely aware of the constant struggle on the part of thousands of citizens in Ontario to preserve and conserve the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine.
We can and must do no less than to apply the same rigorous vigil to protect the Upton Farm.
Claude Bell,
Charlottetown
