(Barrie, ON) – The City of Barrie is providing an update on the ongoing discussions regarding the proposed boundary changes between Barrie and the Township of Springwater, the Township of Oro Medonte and County of Simcoe. These discussions, supported by the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator (OPLDF), began with the pursuit of employment land to grow the local economy and create jobs for all residents within the region. All parties made the commitment to a locally driven solution that supports shared prosperity and long-term growth for all four municipalities.
The joint land needs analysis identified the need for significant community area in addition to employment land, and the process has been focused on ensuring adequate serviced employment lands to continue to grow our economy and create jobs for Barrie residents and all of Simcoe County. The proposed boundary expansion would ensure sufficient residential and serviced employment lands needed to meet projected population and job growth for Barrie through 2051. The principles guiding these discussions include preserving and enhancing the environment through permanent protection of lands around Little Lake, investing in employment lands and economic development to bring jobs to the area, and enabling much needed housing.
The City of Barrie has followed the provincially directed process and has offered in good faith to compensate Springwater and Oro-Medonte for the transfer of lands and has also agreed to the principle of cross border servicing for the lands at the top of Bayfield Street. This compensation is subject to achieving locally negotiated agreements, and if the Province intervenes, financial compensation may not be available.
The cross border servicing arrangement with Springwater would provide water and wastewater servicing for key developments which include a variety of housing types, mixed use medical, commercial and retail, as well as dedicated seniors’ housing, and a seniors-related medical campus. Once serviced, these development proposals are poised to fill a much-needed gap in the region, and provide tax revenue of over $6.6 million annually for the Township of Springwater and the County of Simcoe.
The agreements also propose creation of a Joint Economic Development Working Group that will focus on advancing strategic employment areas along the Highway 400 Corridor to Forbes Road, and at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport. These regionally significant employment areas are located within the County, not the City of Barrie, and will benefit the adjacent municipalities and the County as a whole. Barrie has also offered a $5 million contribution to the County, for economic development initiatives.
The City has been open and willing to meet with all parties at any time to work to find a locally agreed upon solution.
“Barrie has been committed to working with our neighbours to find a solution that reflects the best interests of our communities. The creation of an employment corridor is a game changer for the entire region. It will create thousands of jobs benefiting residents of the entire region including the County of Simcoe. Employment lands along Highway 400 will be a connection point to the Ring of Fire and will ensure the economic prosperity for the entire Region and Province of Ontario” stated Mayor Alex Nuttall.
The City remains committed to following the process as led by the Office of the Provincial Facilitator.