Essex ON Advanced Planning Practice Feb 2020 Field Trip

Students in the advanced planning practice course travelled to the Essex, Ontario region at the end of February. There they met with local planning officials/development proponents to examine planning topics concerning economic development, and land use development challenges. Major planning themes centred on the evolving rural land base, e.g., on farm diversified land uses, agri-tourism development, vegetable and cannabis greenhouse production. Bigger picture issues were also explored including climate change impacts (flooding), labour supply provision (migrant workers), rural community enhancements, (community improvement planning).

Themes:

Meeting and networking with local planning officials:

Photo:  Essex region planning officials: Rebecca Belanger, County Planning Manager (centre) Tim Byrne, Essex Conservation Authority Watershed Manager (right).

Local planning consultants and municipal planners:
Photo:  Robert Brown, Kingsville Planner; Lassaline Planning Consultants

Photo:  Town of Essex Planning Officials – Jeff Watson, Planner; Rita Jabbour, RPD Alumni and Planning Manager.

Enjoying the sights and sounds of rural ON – Economic Job Retention and Expansion Efforts in Town of Essex:

Photo:  Nelson Silveira, Economic Development Officer leading a downtown walking tour.

Photo:  120 acres of cucumber production in a single greenhouse complex:  Greenhouse Alley in Leamington.

Essex ‘County Road 50’ Community Improvement Planning Area for Agri-Tourism centred on the Winery Industry:

Photos:  Cameras out to take a picture of the cute sign on the back of the bike.

​Photo:  North 42 Winery and Lavender Farm.

Photo:  Visiting the Grove Brewery in Kingsville where we heard from RPD Alumni Mike Nelson.

Photo:  Cooper's Hawk Winery meal.

Photo:  Presentation of wine production by Tom O'Brien, Co-owner.