Area-wide growth management process moves ahead - County

The Growth Management Process Steering Committee with membership from area municipalities in the County of Simcoe and the Cities of Orillia and Barrie have moved closer to the development of an areawide growth management plan.

The area-wide growth management plan process is intended to be inclusive and engaging for all partners.

The initial meeting held Tuesday June 5, focused primarily on the development of a directions report, the intent to establish growth management forums and sub-committees, as well as a discussion on timelines.

The committee recommended and approved an amendment to the Growth Management Process Outline which will focus the process on growth management strategies only in an effort to further promote an inclusive process.

The Growth Process Steering Committee is composed of 9 members of County Council, 2 representatives of the City of Barrie and a representative from the City of Orillia.

All recommendations from the committee will be forwarded to the Corporate Services Committee and to County Council as part of the County's approval process.

"Today's meeting was a great start to the process for developing a co-operative, local solution."

"This is not just another study, the processes that are developed and followed through will create an inclusive area-wide plan, which the County will be including as part of our official plan," commented Simcoe County Warden Tony Guergis.

"All municipal partners participating and working together is the key component in developing a growth management plan for the greater good of all residents of the County of Simcoe and the cities of Barrie and Orillia. Those we have been elected to represent expect nothing less, we should be working together on effective strategies, plans and solutions for today and tomorrow."

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia.

Visit the county website at www.county. simcoe. on.ca for more information and news updates regarding the county and growth.