January 28, 2005

Leap-frog housing a threat to farmers, expert says

MISSISSAUGA

Leap-frog housing developments in the Golden Horseshoe will pose the biggest threat to farmland over the next few decades, a University of Guelph professor says.

“The Golden Horseshoe has some of the best farmland in Canada,” said Wayne Caldwell, a professor of rural planning and development.

“Leap-frogging can threaten that.”

A “leap frog” development is one built adjacent to a farm — usually on a piece of severed farmland — rather than a town or city centre.

Since certain kinds of farming involving hogs and other livestock are not permitted within a certain distance of housing, a leap-frog development can place difficult restrictions on farmers, Caldwell said Tuesday.

“It prevents the farm from evolving with the market,” Caldwell told a crowd at a conference on planning in Greater Golden Horseshoe municipalities.

“What is a cash-crop farm today may do better as a hog farm tomorrow.”

Leap-frog developments are also expensive to provide with municipal services such as water, policing and garbage pickup, he added.

The Canadian Press

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