Province responds to county Official Plan request

By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope August 4 2010
A request for a provincially appointed facilitator to resolve Simcoe County’s growth issues is getting some consideration from the Ontario government.
The Town of Innisfil received a response from Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid, which suggests the province is listening to local concerns, several months after officially requesting a provincial facilitator attempt to resolve outstanding issues in the County of Simcoe’s Official Plan.

“I will certainly take it under consideration,” said Duguid, referring to the appointing of a facilitator. “I am currently meeting with various stakeholders and contemplating different options for implementing the province’s vision for growth in Simcoe County.”
In March, the town agreed to defend its interests in the County of Simcoe Official Plan at the Ontario Municipal Board. That followed formal requests from the town and county late last year, asking for a provincial facilitator to step in.
The county approved its Official Plan in November 2008, and has waited for provincial approval ever since. In December, the county officially appealed the provincial government’s indecision over the plan to the OMB.
The facilitator would be asked to increase the number of residents alloted in the province’s long-term growth plans for the county by 40,000. The facilitator would also be used to help the town conform its Official Plan and related documents to provincial growth forecasts, and find water and wastewater servicing solutions for the area. The province has projected the county will grow by nearly 230,000 residents, to a total population of about 667,000, over the next few decades.
“The province’s growth plan came into effect in June 2006 (and) sets out policies for sustainable growth aimed at boosting job creation and improving quality of life, while curbing urban sprawl and protecting the natural environment and farmland. Simcoe Area: A Strategic Vision for Growth was released in June 2009, to obtain feedback on the province’s more specific vision. I appreciate that the town has participated in the consultations … and provided input to my ministry.”