Town takes aim at Innisfil Heights development
By Chris Simon

Innisfil isn't backing away from its proposed Highway 400 corridor development.

A town committee passed a recommendation to ask the County of Simcoe to include the proposed Innisfil Heights development as part of its Official Plan, during a meeting last week. If approved by council, the plan would formally ask the county to recognize the proposed development along the 400 corridor as a designated settlement area.

Innisfil Heights is not currently recognized by the county's Official Plan, or several provincial growth-related documents for the area. However, this move is the first step to ensuring the Innisfil area continues to prosper, by developing industry and housing along the 400 corridor, said the town's director of planning and development Rob McAuley.

"We feel the word settlement is critical," he said. "It's fundamental to the growth plan moving forward. If it isn't in the county's plan, we have to (take it out) of our plan."

Some councillors are surprised Innisfil Heights has been left off provincial and county plans so far.

"I was shocked, for all the time and effort and studying that's been done, how many mistakes were made, and how many corrections we have to make at this point in the game," said councillor Lynn Dollin. "It's unbelievable that nobody would have done this work ahead of time. It doesn't give you a great comfort level in the work that (the province) has done."

In 2006, the town completed a growth management study that recommended the expansion of the Innisfil Heights Employment Area along the 400, and some limited employment plans for Alcona. According to the study, Innisfil Heights should also become the key employment corridor for the town.

If Innisfil Heights was developed, it would be expected to include 22,000 jobs and space for 27,000 residents by 2026. However, the town has stalled on development while waiting for the county to complete its growth management study, which is expected to be complete in June.

In addition, the town was asked to wait until the recent completion of the Intergovernmental Action Plan, Ontario Provincial Growth Plan and Assimilative Capacity Study for Lake Simcoe, before taking action.

The town's Official Plan must conform to county policies.

"In light of some of the events that have happened over the last couple of months, and what might happen over the coming months, it's staff's opinion we need to press forward with Innisfil Heights as a recognized settlement area," he said. "Otherwise, we will lose an opportunity in the future. It's become clear that having the county's Official Plan designate Innisfil Heights is critical."

According to the proposed recommendation, the town would spend up to $100,000 to pursue the approval of Innisfil Heights. Mayor Brian Jackson does expect county staff and officials to be receptive to Innisfil Heights.

"We've met with the county and they've indicated they're going to try to work with the town to get this thing into play," he said.