Town needs to work on Main Street - IBR
by Michelle Minnoch

According to Staff Report FS-028-06, the next phase of the urbanization of Innisfil Beach Road, planned for 2007, has been deferred to 2008. Some members of council, including Mayor Brian Jackson, want to see a main street in Innisfil sooner rather than later.

“I appreciate the list of road projects,” he said. “My concern is the delay of Innisfil Beach Road.” The Mayor said he is concerned because Innisfil is lacking a Main Street. “I have been criticized by IGAP that we don’t have a Main Street.”

Mayor Jackson said council has to give some serious considerations to the road projects. Citing the report, he said they are looking at the realignment of Fairway, and there are people in the area that don’t want that particular road realigned.

“Can the money be put aside for that project and be allocated somewhere else?” he asked.

Councilor Davidson said residents don’t want Fairway straightened because once it is realigned it would become a drag strip.

Councilor Van Berkel stated the 8th Line should be looked at because it is the Main Street. He also brought up Beach Street, a street in his ward that “has multi million dollar houses on that street and people can’t even drive down it.” He added it was promised years ago that it would be done and now it isn’t even on the list.

Rob McAuley, Director of Planning and Development said he agreed with Van Berkel.

Mayor Jackson said it was apparent to the provincial people Innisfil did not have a Main Street and it is a huge concern.

“It’s a designated growth area.”

CAO Larry Allison said the department understood the importance of the project and would be pleased to bring something back to council regarding the implications of putting Innisfil Beach Road as a priority.

“I think it’s critical for the Town,” remarked Mayor Jackson.

Councilor Boynton said it was a campaign issue for him, and it would be a project that would show the rest of the world “we are serious about our Town”.

Deputy Mayor Wauchope said he would like to see some work done between the 25th Side Road and St. John’s.

“It’s hole patch amoung hole patch,” he said. “To attract businesses to the Town, it’s hard without a Main Street.”

Councilor Dollin stated there has already been a lot of work done on Innisfil Beach Road, but it’s the work that no one really sees.

“There is the storm water retention facility, the pipe in

the road - $1.5 million was spent to put that pipe in the road.”

She said it is hard to explain the people the amount of work being done, as they do not see it.

Councilor Pring said 42% of taxes collected within the Town are from people in Wards 3 and 6.

“I believe we should be taking the DC’s earned in Wards 3 and 6 and put it towards Innisfil Beach Road,” he said. “This is where we bring people to our downtown.” Councilor Pring said by putting money into the road today, “we will be paying dividends in the future”.

Councilor Wardlaw said taking the money allocated from Fairway and putting it towards Innisfil Beach Road is an excellent idea.

“This is a comprehensive four year program,” Treasurer Ian Goodfellow said of the plan which includes 101 projects, costing $15.1 million. He said

the 2008 plan will include a five year timeframe for the projects. Goodfellow presented council with information regarding the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Roads and Related Infrastructure Capital Budget Wednesday night.

According to the staff report, the purpose of accelerating the approval of the four year plan is to provide enough time for the projects; including engineering designs, public input, agency approval and utility co-ordination.

Goodfellow said the projects are funded through taxes, the ARS – Georgian Downs, Federal Gas Tax and some through Development Charges.

“Of the 17 projects proposed a year ago, 13 of them will be completed by 2007.” Goodfellow stated that due to the fact the money was approved early in the year, it helped to make the projects move along and be completed. McAuley said there is a plan in place to connect the east end of Leslie Street with the west end, but there is a sensitive watercourse in the area that has to be looked at. He said there was a plan to reconstruct Spring Street, and Beach Street, currently not on the needs study, needs work.

“A drive down the road will tell you it needs work,” he said.

He also stated he would like to see the construction of sidewalks in some areas.