County council asked to approve Everett expansion

Barzo development proposal secures new population allocation for Everett

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

A proposed residential subdivision consisting of about 690 new homes in Everett is back on track following five years in planning purgatory while the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MMA) sorted out long term growth policies for the whole of Simcoe County.

In a report to Simcoe County councillors on the May 12 agenda, the planning department is recommending John Barzo Ltd be allocated 1,952 population growth out of the pool of 20,000 the MMA is allowing in addition to the 667,000 cap provided through the Places to Grow “Simcoe specific amendment.”

The Barzo development, which would nearly double the size of Everett, was adopted by the Township as Official Plan Amendment 8. It re-designated approximately 96.5 hectares (238 acres) Part Lots 13 and 14, Concession 5, from Agricultural and Rural to Residential and Open Space-Conservation. 85 per cent of the development will be single detached units with the rest being townhouses.

“County Council subsequently approved the amendment in 2010 however this approval was appealed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB),” according to the planning report to County council. “The appeal noted that the approval was premature given that there was an ongoing Provincial Simcoe Sub Area strategy for future growth and population allocations that was not yet approved. The appeal also noted the outstanding County Official Plan and its conformity with the Growth Plan.”

Mr. Barzo told Free Press Online via email this afternoon that he’ll hold off any celebrations until after County council votes on the recommendation.

“You are correct that this has been a long process for us. Essentially we had this approval from the Township and the County, but the Province appealed,” wrote Mr. Barzo. “This now solves the issues with the Province based on the new legislation and in particular the Simcoe subarea amendment to the Provincial Growth Plan.”

Once the approvals clear, the next significant hurdle relates to servicing issues. Water and wastewater treatment issues remain outstanding, not just with Barzo Ltd, but R & M Homes proposal as well.

Last fall, a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment of the proposed wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Everett identified the preferred option to be a new membrane bioreactor located in the north east area of Everett with surface water outfall to the Pine River west of County Road 13 at the northern edge of Everett. But this plan factors in the Walton development plans which would grow Everett to 10,000. Phase 1, estimated to cost $13 million, would have a design capacity to service approximately 1,000 equivalent residential units (2,670 persons). Phase 2 would double that at a cost of about $4.2 million. Phase 3, at a cost of $7.2 million (includes upsizing for final phase) kicks-in once population exceeds 8,000; and the final phase to service a population just over 10,000 people.

As for water capacity, according to the Barzo planning report, “an artesian aquifer, which provides the water supply source for municipal wells 1, 2 and 3 in Everett, is capable of providing additional water supply for the Everett settlement area. The report identifies a possible new well location within 100 metres of existing municipal wells 1 and 3, but notes that a new well location further north in Everett would also be advantageous considering that the aquifer thickens towards the north. This alternative future well location is proposed by Greenland Engineering within the draft-approved R & M Homes subdivision.”

Mr. Barzo concluded that “In terms of timing of actual build, this is currently unknown as servicing issues need to be addressed for Everett. … But without the designation nothing can move forward.”