Judge Midhurst growth plan on facts, not fear-mongering – Geranium
Letter to the Barrie Examiner April 20, 2012.
(Re: ‘Growing Battle’ in the April 15, edition of the Examiner)
Remarks attributed to spokespeople for the Midhurst Residents Association are without basis in fact.
Specifically, the tiny hamlet of Midhurst will not be demolished and there has been no lack of consultation
on the future of Midhurst.
If anyone has been kept out of the loop on information, it would be by their own choice.
We believe people have a right tot know the facts.
Facts help reasonable people draw reasonable conclusions. Facts encourage informed debate and
discussion.
Fear-mongering, sloganeering and name-calling are no substitute for facts.
Here are some facts, all of them on the public record, and thus independently verifiable by the Examiner.
Residents of Springwater, and Midhurst, have had the opportunity to become well-informed about the
future development plans for Midhurst and have had many opportunities to comment publicly and have
input on the plans.
During the planning and study process, which took place from 2004 to July 2009, there were numerous
opportunities for the community to comment and have direct input including design workshops, sessions
with Springwater Township council, planning committee and staff, public open houses and public
meetings.
Council decisions were made with advance public notice, discussion and debate.
Springwater council members and staff have engaged the community many times over the years during
the planning and environmental assessment processes for the Midhurst secondary plan, providing
residents with the information and opportunities to discuss and debate the proposed development.
Growth and development in Ontario, (including Springwater and Midhurst) is governed and controlled by
federal, provincial and municipal legislation.
As they should, developers must meet many benchmarks, conform with all laws, including environmental
and planning standards, and follow an intensive process that is clearly outlined in legislation.
The population of Simcoe County, Springwater and Midhurst, is going to grow in the years ahead. Ontario
will continue to grow and Simcoe and Midhurst are not isolated from that growth. ince 1983, Midhurst has been designated a settlement are approved for growth by the province.
Midhurst is within the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation area and the Midhurst Secondary Plan has met
all environmental requirements to date and will continue to do so in the future.
The Midhurst Secondary Plan conforms to provincial growth policy and legislation.
It is true to say that the planned and approved development in Midhurst will help Springwater become a
more complete community and achieve the goals and objectives of the Provincial Growth Plan.
It defines complete communities as communities that meet people’s needs for daily living through an
entire lifetime, which provide a mix of housing choices close to employment, a wide range of local
services where people live, where transit, walking and cycling are realistic options and where main streets
and commercial areas are attractive and where there are community recreational facilities.
Cheryl Shindruk
Midhurst Landowners Group
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