Midland, Penetanguishene added as growth nodes

Simcoe County growth plan adjusted
By BOB BRUTON, BARRIE EXAMINER November 1 2010
The tweaking of Simcoe County’s growth plan continues.
Ontario’s infrastructure ministry has proposed adding the Midland/Penetanguishene area as an urban node, joining Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Orillia.
Barrie Ward 2 Coun. Jeff Lehman, who becomes city mayor in December, says this move continues the process of making many of the provisions of the Simcoe Area Vision document, which expanded the city’s borders into Innisfil, part of official provincial planning policy.
“It will make the population and employment forecasts official and will mean future municipal planning decisions in Simcoe will have to conform to the policies in the amendment,” he said.
Lehman said city staff are reviewing this document and will need to go through all its wording before there can be a detailed response to any concerns.
But he said it appears there are generally few changes from what was announced in June of 2009, in terms of policies that affect Barrie.
“This is good news as the amendment is consistent with our vision for slower and smarter growth, expanding the number of jobs in Barrie and creating the certainty needed to allow us to proceed for planning new employment areas,” he said.
It’s part of a provincial plan to help create jobs, limit urban sprawl and strengthen Simcoearea municipalities.
Bob Chiarelli, Ontario’s infrastructure minister, also said the only real changes are that Midland and Penetanguishene have been added to the plan as development or growth nodes.
“We have actually listened,” he said of feedback from Simcoe County municipalities. “Certainly, the ministry has listened very seriously to some of the requests that were made.
“What this plan does is define where the development nodes are and what the scope is.”
The proposed amendment to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe is to focus growth where it can best be handled, in existing urban areas. They are to have a mix of uses — residential, employment and industrial.
They are also to be on full municipal water and sewer services, and have the greatest potential for enhanced transit services, residential intensification and developing a complete community.
“Barrie has the potential to grow to over 200,000 people,” Chiarelli said. “That necessarily means more sewers, more water (systems) and more urban infrastructure.
“(This plan is) so it can grow into a complete community, a place where people can live, work and play.”
The growth plan acknowledges that all of Simcoe County is growing, and that the population forecast is for 667,000 people by 2031. A total of 73,300 new jobs are forecast for the Simcoe area.
Aside from identifying six urban areas and providing population/ employment forecasts, the ministry is identifying industrial and manufacturing areas along Highway 400. It’s also requiring communities to assess their land needs to meet growth and manage the land supply available for development.
But the province is still seeking feedback on its plans, by Jan. 31, 2011. Those interested can do so by writing, fax or e-mail. Go to www.placestogrow.cafor more information, or call 1-866- 479-9781.