Growth debate heats up council chambers
By Chris Simon

Other Simcoe County municipalities are getting tired of delays in the Innisfil and Barrie land negotiations, says the county's growth management consultant.

Over the next year, the county is expected to develop a long-term growth management plan for the region, which includes the cities of Barrie and Orillia. The plan, which is expected to be passed by county council by June, will outline how growth will occur in each local municipality for the next 25 years, as well as ways to best service the boom.

The county's population is expected to reach 667,400 by 2031, up from 438,700 in 2006, according to a report by Hemson Consulting, a firm hired by the county to help with the development of the growth plan. The report also projects Barrie's population to grow to 175,000 residents, up from 133,500.

Over 100,000 new housing units will be required to accommodate the growth across the county, said Hemson representative Ray Simpson, during a presentation to town council last week. However, many municipalities feel a growth plan cannot go ahead until there is a resolution between Barrie and Innisfil.

"Your neighbours ... do not believe (negotiations are) just between the two of you," said Simpson. "I cannot predict what the political actions will be on this issue. In some of the meetings with some of the other (municipal) councils, there's a great deal of frustration that this isn't being resolved. Some are even saying they're being left out of the process. There's a growing concern about this issue."

Talks have been stalled between the two municipalities for several months, mostly over population distribution and servicing issues.

However, the county needs to play a stronger role in the negotiations, said Innisfil mayor Brian Jackson.

"Would there be any way the county could deal with that stranded population between Barrie and Innisfil? I'm quite confident that if that was dealt with at the county level through this process, it would accelerate the negotiations," he said. "(Population distribution) becomes an important and critical component for us. We're at a stalemate."

The population of every municipality in the county is expected to increase within the next 25 years, according to the report.

Innisfil's population could climb to 47,900, up from 32,400, while Orillia's will increase to 41,100, up from 31,400. Wasaga Beach's population is expected to increase from 15,600 to 31,000, with Collingwood's rising from 18,000 to 24,800, and Midland's increasing from 16,900 to 18,400. Penetanguishene's population may also increase, from 9,700 to 12,300.

As part of the process, the county has created several committees that will oversee various growth related issues, ranging from the overall implementation of the plan to healthcare and social services. Once county councillors pass the plan, municipalities will have one year to conform, said Simpson.

"This process started a number of months ago," he said. "The province gives specific directions as to how this growth should be accommodated. There are targets for density, and more complete communities. Most of the growth should occur in existing settlement areas."