County seeks new director of planning

Simcoe County is looking for a new Director of Planning and Development as well as making enhancements to its Planning Division, a move it feels is required in order to meet new expectations relating to growth planning and development policy.

The County recognizes that the work performed over the next year will be critically important for long term growth planning for the entire area and vows to work hard with all area municipalities to develop suitable local solutions to growth management.

The requirements to uphold provincial planning legislation through the County's Official Plan and related policy is a real and legitimate responsibility that the County takes very seriously. Historically, the County's record in planning is sound.

However, pressures on this region now require enhanced resources to conduct the studies and research leading to growth management strategies to create and manage an updated Official Plan, to evaluate and plan for residential, commercial, and industrial development and to research emerging planning issues.

These responsibilities need to be carried out in a cooperative but diligent manner.

The current Director of Planning, Mr. Ian Bender, who played a critical role in the development of the County's first Official Plan, will continue to work with and advise the County in its transition to the new planning environment and the development of an updated Official Plan.

Bender's experience and knowledge of Simcoe County will provide an invaluable bridge in the transition process.

"With the changes in focus and responsibility in the areas of growth and land use planning, it is incumbent on the County to address these challenges and continue to take a progressive leadership role in the development of a strong growth management plan and updated planning policies," remarked Warden Terry Geddes.