Springwater, county agree on Midhurst development; OMB hearing avoided

By Bob Bruton Barrie Examiner

SPRINGWATER TWP. – Clarification of local controls on future Midhurst development has led to an agreement between the township and Simcoe County council.

The two levels of government had been at odds after the county announced earlier this month it had reached a deal with Midhurst developers to add nearly 3,000 to Springwater’s 20,000 population allocation under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe – without the township’s input.

But Mayor Bill French said Monday the township now has clarification of development conditions – on strict phasing criteria, comprehensive subdivision approval, appropriate density provisions and better consultation on any future development proposals.

“The one thing we are looking for – it’s very simple – we want to control our future,” French said. “In other words we’re going to be kind of working with the county to control, instead of them dictating, where things may go.”

He said an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing is no longer necessary to solve Springwater’s future residential density in Midhurst, from the township’s position.

“We’re not going to challenge the decision the county made based on our understanding of where we’re going,” French said.

Developers had wanted 6,000 more residents, so the deal with the county was sold as a reasonable compromise – mostly to avoid a lengthy, costly OMB hearing.

But Springwater council had previously voted unanimously not to support any of the developers’ applications for additional Midhurst growth.

“That was our big concern; there was an agreement made between the landowners and the county, that impacted Springwater, and we had no input on it,” French said. “The county is going to make sure they include us in any further discussions.

“I’m sure their decisions were based on what they thought was right, but it’s pretty difficult to make a decision when you don’t involve the municipality that it directly impacts. I think that message got out.”

Springwater council met Oct. 17 and reviewed the county deal with Midhurst developers, which French said led to the township/county agreement.

“We discussed it in great detail, we took apart the minutes of settlement, what do they really mean, we got clarification,” he said.

“Obvoulsy the county and the municipality do have to work together. I’m a county councillor and I don’t want to be at war with the other municipalities.”

This deal means the county and township can work to implment the township-approved, and county-modified, Official Plan Amendment 38, or Midhurst Secondary Plan, in Springwater.

French said he doesn’t expect shovels in the ground any earlier than 2019 for this development.

This deal will eventually impact three main areas of population concentration.

The first neighbourhood is located in the Anne Street North and Carson Road area, the second is in the area of Doran and Russell roads, the third is in the Old Second South and Pooles Road area.