Creemore’s Collingwood Street bridge discussion pits romantics against realists
The bridge, built by Brentwood resident J. J. Dumond, gives the community character. Wedding proposals and wedding photographs have taken place on the bridge. It’s also a tourist attraction and key piece of infrastructure, as the single-lane bridge provides the link to about 30 homes on the south side of the dead end of Collingwood Street.
So said a group of people making deputations and submitting a petition to save the bridge to Clearview council Monday night at the administration centre in Stayner.
However, other residents and councillors argued the bridge could also be a future liability to the taxpayers of Clearview Township.
That’s why council was mixed with its 6-3 decision to enter into an agreement with the County of Simcoe to take ownership of the infrastructure along with the ask of $1.5 million for the renovation of the bridge.
In a report to council, Clearview Deputy Mayor Barry Burton detailed that the county’s plan with an April 18 tender date is to demolish the bridge and replace it with a two-lane concrete structure for a cost of $2.5 million.
A new larger bridge would qualify for a development charge monies refund, while a restored, single-lane bridge would not.
Mayor Chris Vanderkruys and Burton have met with Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall and county engineers to discuss how the bridge could be saved.
An estimate of $1.3 million was the cost of restoring the steel bridge, saving taxpayers about $1 million.
John Hillier and John Boote, who both have experience with steel bridges, spoke in favour of restoring it. They said it could be rebuilt to handle modern load capacities while also adding a cantilevered pedestrian walkway. They said it is not uncommon to rebuild single-lane in low-traffic areas such as this.
Coun. Shawn Davidson cautioned council against taking ownership of the bridge, citing possible cost overruns that would be born by a small number of taxpayers.
“I have no problem with the restoration of the bridge but not the finances,” he said.
He suggested that the county fully restore the bridge and then transfer ownership.
Clearview’s Chief Administrative Officer Stephen Sage cautioned that if the bridge design is altered a new environmental assessment would be required, which would cost approximately $30,000.
Coun. Deborah Bronée said she didn’t support taking on ownership of the bridge when the township has dozens of other aging bridges under its care already.
“We can’t afford to look after them,” she said.
Coun. Kevin Elwood expressed dismay that saving the bridge has been years in the making and that the County of Simcoe made another plan.
“The county hasn’t listened to the residents of Clearview, nor have they considered the municipality,” he said.
Burton’s motion originally included the ask of $1.3 million from the county, based on an estimate done four years ago.
Davidson amended the financial request to $1.5 million in hopes that the increased amount would cover all the costs, including associated roadway work. The amended motion was passed with Bronée, Robert Walker and Doug Measures not supporting it.
Vandkerkruys and Burton brought forward the ask to council April 14, which agreed to enter into negotiations over the bridge transfer and have the tender date extended to the end of the month.
Cashtown Corners Development
Clearview council voted to amend the zoning bylaw that would allow for the continuation of the development of an Esso station and Tim Hortons at the intersection of Airport Road (County Rd. 42) and County Rd. 9.
Work has begun at the intersection to dig up remnants of a long abandoned gas station and restaurant.
Coun. Doug Measures supported the project saying, “I’m tired of looking at derelict buildings. I’m tired of looking at empty buildings in our township.”
Dancor homes development
The Estates of Clearview, a Dancor home development has had its draft plan approval for subdivision extended by three years. Dancor had asked Clearview council for a five-year extension for the development of more than 1,100 homes.
Proclamations, flag raisings
Clearview township voted to change township policy to now allow for proclamations and flag raisings, but with a 5-4 split vote, it was far from unanimous.
The issue had come to a head at a meeting earlier this year when Simcoe Pride requested a proclamation and flag raising to support this July’s Pride Week.
Chief Administrative Officer Stephen Sage said proclamations and flag raises were allowed in the township years ago, but the policy was changed in 1998 to stop them after council and staff was inundated with dozens of requests, eating up staff time.
“There is 15 steps staff has to take on each one that might not involve raising a flag,” he told council.
Coun. Walker said the township should fly only three flags: Canada, Ontario and Clearview Township.
Proclamation submissions will be vetted through the mayor’s office and decided upon by council in the future.
Leave a Reply