Big plans for northwestern corridor
By Chris Simon

They could be bringing significant growth to Innisfil's northwest.

A group of construction and development company representatives met with Innisfil councillors and staff, to discuss potential future development in the town's northwest corridor, during a committee meeting last week. The proposed development, which is being called Hewson's Village, would span almost 3,100 hectares (about 7,500 acres). It would run from north of Salem Road along the Barrie city boundary to the 7th Line, and from County Road 27 to just east of Highway 400.

If developed as proposed, those lands would include residential neighbourhoods, an industrial park, employment areas, and a secondary school, said James Kennedy, of KLM, one of the development companies involved in the presentation.

"We are anxious to work with the town to find an appropriate servicing solution for Innisfil," he said. "Within the solution is the existing Innisfil Heights (industrial park), and about a thousand acres of additional employment land and a residential community. The community provides a sense of structure and identity within the town."

Kennedy says the development would allow residents to live close to work, and provide greater employment opportunities. Currently, only about 30 per cent of Innisfil residents work within the town, while a vast majority of property taxes are collected from residential units.

"We are committed to changing the tax ratio base to something far better than the 94 per cent residential, six per cent industrial split," he said.

"We want to bring sufficient employment opportunities to the municipality ... we want to bring cost effective servicing to the town, thereby providing marketable lands which will be sellable and competitive in pricing."

The proposal also meets current provincial environmental standards, said Kennedy.

Before the town can consider the proposal, several steps must be taken. Simcoe County is currently developing a long-term growth management plan for the region. Each member municipality, including Innisfil, will have to conform their official plans to that growth strategy.

The process could take about two years to complete.

"The recommendation is that the presentation be received ... and referred to (the) planning and development (department)," said councillor Rod Boynton. "The county will report back in due coarse."