Monday January 10: Innisfil open house on growth plan

By Rick Vanderlinde Simcoe.com Jan 06, 2011
INNISFIL — The town wants public input before it makes a case to the province about a new growth plan for Simcoe County.
A public open house has been called for Monday, Jan. 10 at the Town Hall from 4 to 8 p.m.
The town is under a tight deadline — Jan. 31 — to make its submission to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006) affecting the Simcoe Sub-Area.
In a press release issued today, the town says it supports several aspects to the provincial growth plan.
However, there are several areas Innisfil would like to see changed.
The town wants Alcona to be recognized as an urban node along with Bradford West Gwillimbury and Alliston.
The town also wants relief from a rule that calls for 40 per cent of new growth to come through intensification of existing urban areas. An Innisfil planning study says that would be impossible here. The best Innisfil would be able to achieve is 23 per cent, the media release states.
While Innisfil Heights has been recognized as an employment zone in the growth plan, the amendment only covers the existing boundaries and does not allow expansion.
“The Town recognizes the importance of these policies to the future wellbeing of residents, businesses and taxpayers,” the release states. “Despite the difficulties posed by the release date of the Amendment and the deadline for comments, the Town is consulting as broadly as possible.”
Residents who attend the open house can provide input and ask questions. A staff report will then be presented to council Jan. 19 and then for adoption by council on Jan. 26.