Collins’ views on Midhurst

Letter to the Springwater News from Mayor Linda Colllins

In a continued effort to maintain the facts and clear the air about the plans for the Midhurst Growth, I offer the following. This Council is trying to get it right! We are not rushing items forward. The Township of Springwater must follow processes governed by Provincial Laws and Provincial Acts (e.g. Municipal Act, Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statements, Places To Grow Legislation) and of course our Official Plan approved in 1998. We must follow the laws of the land.

Over the past few years you have heard the perspective of others that proposes a path that conflicts with these laws.  We must follow the law; to do otherwise is not responsible and much too costly to defend at the taxpayers’ expense.

For your information, the cost of $100 Million that has been noted in some articles came from the lawyer, not from the cost of infrastructure as others have said in error.

Midhurst was designated a growth area in 1998 in the Township Official Plan which was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the Ontario Municipal Board. The Official Plan required the creation of a Secondary Plan for Midhurst.  While completing the Midhurst Secondary Plan, the Province created new legislation called the Places to Grow Act (2005/2006).  The Province required the Council of the day to proceed with the Midhurst Secondary Plan.  This plan refined development areas in Midhurst (residential, commercial and industrial).  This exercise also added an additional 1200 hectares of Environmentally Protected Land to the plan.

This became the Midhurst Secondary Plan (MSP) known as OPA 38. This is the blueprint to guide any future development in Midhurst with all the controls in place. New development will be fully serviced with sewer and water. The Places to Grow Act required that all new communities comply with new density targets meaning that all new development is required to have a mix of housing that includes a full range of housing types (low to high density).  This Council did not lobby for increased density; this was imposed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. We did not lobby for a mega city; we were told that growth will meet these targets to avoid sprawl and prevent impact on agricultural land outside of the settlement area.

There has also been a lot of discussion on the Environmental Studies needed for this development; Phases 1 & 2 have been completed and now Phases 3 & 4 are in process. The Midhurst Secondary Plan ensures that until all conditions around storm water, source water and wastewater are approved by Council, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority and the Ministry of the Environment, nothing will proceed. No houses will be built until all terms and conditions are met. No registration of Plans of Subdivision can take place without all conditions being met. Front ending agreements between the Midhurst Landowners’ Group and the Township will cover the waste water, water and transportation requirements for new development in Midhurst. Front-ending means paying for all infrastructure up-front…..not the Township paying it back.

Council has the same concerns as the residents.  We want a development that is positive for the community and does not have an impact on the environment.  At the same time, Council has to follow all of the Provincial Laws and Provincial Processes; to do otherwise would place Springwater in a position of liability.  I encourage you to get all of the information and facts on this issue.  Visit the Midhurst section of our web site www.springwater.ca/msp or call a member of your Council.