Density levels cause concerns
By Richard Blanchard

The recommendation for higher density levels in the urban areas of Simcoe County in the draft Growth Management Study is alarming some county councillors as unworkable.

New Tecumseth mayor Mike McEachern told county council during the debate over the adoption of the draft that the intensification levels proposed were causing concerns with his council.

"We see them as very high in New Tecumseth. So many people move to our town because of its small town character," he said.

"I think that these density levels will impinge on that."

Penetanguishene mayor Anita Dubeau said that the higher density levels proposed for her town would make some services more difficult to provide.

"We're looking at 50 people per hectare. In terms of the snow levels that we have up there, I see real problems in terms of removal and storage of snow," she said.

Local councils will be submitting their comments about the study in the next couple of weeks.

County council is looking at adopting the study at its council meeting next month.