‘Urban node’ tag urged for Alcona

By MIRIAM KING, QMI AGENCY Feb 9 2011

INNISFIL — Innisfil wants Alcona to be an “urban node.”

During a recent special meeting, councillors approved the town’s comments on the province’s growth plan amendment for the Simcoe region, a change that further cuts back Innisfil’s expected growth, and sets limits on its employment land.

The municipality is calling for Alcona to be designated an urban node, joining Barrie, Orillia, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Alliston, Collingwood and Midland-Penetang; the 2031 population figures to be changed from the 56,000 in the growth plan to 65,000; and for the province to expand the Innisfil Heights special employment lands to at least the area shown in Innisfil’s Official Plan amendment No. 1.

Mayor Barb Baguley identified the expansion of the employment land at Highway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road as the most critical issue, for the future of Innisfil as a “live/work” community, with local jobs and a good quality of life.

If the original amended boundaries aren’t restored, “it is not an affordable, serviceable employment land, in my opinion,” Baguley said. “If we don’t get this employment situation rectified, I don’t care if we never build another house in Innisfil. … That has to be the strongest point brought forward to the minister.”

The town is joining other municipal officials in Simcoe County who are objecting to the intensification levels set for urban nodes, which requires rebuilding within the boundaries of the existing communities in conjunction with higher densities for greenfield development.

“One or the other, but not both,” said Paul Lowes, with Sorensen Gravely Lowes.

The town could achieve either the higher densities, or the 40% intensification rate, Lowes said, but with the higher densities in place.

“Twenty-three per cent intensification is as much as we can do,” he added.

Innisfil is also calling on the province to appoint a hearing officer to objectively sift through the comments and complaints that have been received.

Asked if the request would slow down approvals for the town, Lowes said it could, “but that’s a good thing,” noting pulling back the reins on the process would allow more time for reconsideration.