Simcoe County OKs population increase in Everett

Simcoe County council has approved a population increase from developer John Barzo, who owns lands within Everett’s settlement area in the community’s north end.

A total of 1,952 additional residents have been approved.

The population was taken from the additional 20,000 residents the province granted to the county in its growth plan, which includes a population growth target of 667,000 by 2031.

Since the builder has yet to submit a development application to the township, the number of homes to be built on the property is unknown at this time.

The Barzo lands are separate from the larger growth vision being proposed for the community, the Everett Secondary Plan, which seeks to expand the hamlet’s current settlement boundaries.

The plan, which aims to grow the hamlet to 6,620 people over the next 20 years, is still before the county for review.

Adjala-Tosorontio Mayor Mary Small Brett supported the decision.

“Going forward we need critical mass to sustain our infrastructure and this 20,000 allotment was for this specific purpose,” she said.