This will be a big year for town council
Comment
by Chris Simon

The next 12 months should help significantly shape Innisfil's future; hopefully, town council is up for the task.

It won't take long for several pressing issues to be debated and decided in town council chambers. Some are carryovers from the last few months, while others are emerging issues that could substantially impact the municipality. Either way, their effects will be felt on the community for years to come.

Last month, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the Big Bay Point Resort project after a nearly four month hearing. That followed several years of bitter negotiation over the resort, between the owners Geranium Corporation/Kimvar Enterprises, the town, Simcoe County, the provincial government and several groups opposed to the site.

Despite the approval, opponents have filed a judicial review with the OMB. That review could potentially overturn the approval. Even if the decision is upheld, it will be awhile before construction can proceed. The resort must still undergo an environmental assessment and participate in a municipal sewage treatment pilot project, as part of the agreement with the town.

If built as planned, the 235-hectare site will include 1,600 residential housing units, 400 hotel rooms, a golf course, 1,000-slip marina, conference centre, theatre, an indoor sports, recreation and fitness facility and retail space. It will contribute several million dollars to the local economy each year, and include about 940 permanent jobs.

Town council will also be required to solve another large-scale employment issue. According to a document from the Ontario government, the town's official plan does not conform with county documents or provincial growth policies. The province has suggested the town's proposed Innisfil Heights development area, which is expected to host 22,000 jobs and several thousand homes, is not currently included in county plans. The county's growth management policy is expected to be passed in June, giving each of its member municipalities about one year to conform. Innisfil council needs to work with other municipalities and pressure the county into realizing the importance of developing the Highway 400/Innisfil Heights corridor. The county's management plan will outline where population growth can occur over the next 25 years, and how to best serve the people living within its boundaries.

But failing to approve a large business and residential development along an easily accessible stretch of road, in a municipality that actually wants growth to occur, would be a mistake. There's little industrial development and high paying employment opportunities in this area, and if the county is going to prosper, Innisfil Heights needs to be considered in its long-term plans.

Town staff will also be compiling a report on the town's business areas over the next few months. The report will outline the major business districts and boundaries within the town, along with recommendations to best service those areas.

As the town continues to grow, this report could have a major impact on spending for garbage pick-up, snow removal and other municipal services. The town could essentially place priorities on where servicing should occur, in an attempt to attract businesses and patrons to its communities.

Early this year, the town will also debate proposed development charges. If approved as planned, development charges will rise by about $20,000 for fully serviced single and semidetached homes, an increase of as much as 161 per cent over current rates.

Developers have asked for more time to review the proposed changes, and the town should seriously consider granting that request. Both sides need to negotiate the proposed charges, mainly because developers have already hinted at legal action, should the new rates be approved. Legal battles are costly and time consuming, but this could be resolved through consultation over the next few months.

Although the town claims the development charge increases are necessary to help pay for growth related infrastructure like roads and sewers, a grandfathering clause or some other concessions could save millions of dollars, bruised egos and hurt feelings over the next few years.

Councillors will have a busy and important year. The future of the municipality will hang on their decisions.