Farmland conversion and landfill sites

[danbrotherston]

I get it the point about losing farmland sucks, but I feel the Region has done a pretty good job at protecting farmland and accommodating a factory of this size will not change the regions mandate to protect Agricultural land. People act like there is just 700 acres of industrial land waiting for development. There isn't which is why we need to assembly the land. 

My understanding is they have been offered 35k per acre. FMV currently is 25-35k per acre in waterloo region. I think through arbitration/ expropriation they will probably see closer to 50k per acre, which is more than fair. Those that want to continue to farm would be able to buy a farm with 3-5 million they will receive.  I know they are trying (and achieving) at getting the public opinion on their side, some have even suggest they recieve FMV of the land as if it were zoned for industrial, which would be close to 500k per acres.

I really hope our elected officials don't fumble this one due to public pressure, if this actually a large factory like honda or Toyota, the economical spin off will be huge. Hundreds of part manufacturers will spring up in the area to support the factory. Similar to what we have seen with Toyota the past 50 years.

Just for some perspective, Soybeans fetch an average of 1.00 a pound or 2000.00 per ton. average 9 to 10 tons per acre is 18 k to 20 k / acre.  Still make more money in two years than the cash being offered.  Mind you, you have overhead  That is an entirely different story... seed, fuel, fertilizer, taxes, equipment costs. crop insurance etc,   Farmers make good money on that land... Again,  just pointing out some numbers.  Overall, like I said, it would likely benefit many more people to be made industrial than remain agriculture.

"More people benefit"...it's basically impossible to quantify the "benefit" of being more self-reliant by growing more food locally and on productive land. I don't think that's something you can attach a dollar value too, which is why it is so easy for politicians to sell this, in today's world, largely ephemeral benefit for some jobs.

But my biggest concern remains whether the industrial land is being used efficiently, and with care, are we poisoning the land in an excessively sprawling and remote facility that will induce massive VMT. Or are we building an efficient sustainable facility that minimizes the impact on our world and our society?

I think even urbanists far too often overlook industrial land use efficiency. FWIW...I think the land should be valued much higher, the low value of the land is WHY it is being built where it is...but again, the free market does not price things like food sustainability.