Amendment 2: Province allocates new growth numbers for Simcoe County to 2041

New Tecumseth Free Press November 8, 2012

Simcoe County’s population can rise to 456,000 by 2036, and 479,000 by 2041, an increase of 81,000 people overall from the 416,000 target established as the 2031 planning horizon, according to the just released proposed Amendment 2 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006.

In terms of employment, the County’s allocation would see increases from 132,000 jobs to 141,000 (2036) and 152,000 (2041).

Barrie’s population would increase from 210,000 in 2031 to 253,000 by 2041, while Orillia’s increase is a modest growth from 41,000 in 2031 to 46,000 by 2041.

The original growth plan was completed in 2006 and listed forecasts to 2031 (25 year horizon). A sub-Simcoe Area section (Amendment 1) of the policy statement was enshrined in legislation by Order of Cabinet in January 2011. 

It created six primary settlement areas where the bulk of growth is to be directed through to 2031. They include: New Tecumseth (Alliston), 56,000 population, and 26,500 employment; Innisfil (Alcona), 56,000 population and 13,100 employment; Bradford, 50,500 population and 18,000 employment; Orillia, 41,000 population and 21,000 employment; Collingwood, 33,400 population and 13,500 employment; and Midland-Penetanguishene, 33,500 (combined) and 19,800 employment (combined).

As well, four new employment areas were created: Bradford West Gwillimbury strategic settlement employment area and the Innisfil Heights strategic settlement employment area, both along Hwy 400 corridor; the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport economic employment district and the Rama Road economic employment district.

Amendment 2 is released now as part of the five year review of the 2006 policy. The provincial government is now collecting input from the County, the lower tier municipalities, and the separate cities of Barrie and Orillia. As well, the development community and public comments are also part of the process.

Simcoe County is still trying to bring its Official Plan into conformity with the Sub-Simcoe Area policies. Then, if/when Amendment 2 is approved by the Province, it’s expected to kick-off a new round of discussions about growth, and how and where the growth forecast to 2036 and 2041 will be allocated to the lower tiers. It’s not without its complications in Simcoe County, because the upper tier does not have planning jurisdiction outside of approving official plan amendments, nor does the County control water and wastewater allocations – though it’s lobbying for a more direct role.

The increased planning horizons are expected to be welcome by large scale development proposals including the Mattamy/Cappuccitti plan for 15,000 homes in New Tecumseth, and the Walton Group’s push to expand Everett to a population of 10,000 people. Currently, both are outside the “primary settlement areas.”