Barrie Construction News staff writer
Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke is urging residents to have their say on the City of Barrie’s proposed annexation of lands from Oro-Medonte and Springwater townships, warning the plan could have long-term impacts on taxpayers and economic growth across the region.
The county has scheduled a public meeting for Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. at the County of Simcoe Administration Centre in Midhurst. Residents have until Friday, Oct. 10 at noon to register to speak or submit written comments.
Clarke said the county remains opposed to the current annexation terms, which would see more than 1,600 hectares transferred to Barrie. He noted the scope of the proposal has expanded far beyond its original focus on housing lands to now include employment and non-developable areas.
“The removal of the economic lands will have long-term tax rate impacts on County residents across the region,” Clarke said in a statement. “The loss of this economic revenue will directly affect the County’s ability to pay for vital services and infrastructure. It may also stall planned investments at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, which is a major economic driver for our region.”
The warden said county-led studies show Simcoe needs more employment lands immediately to support growth in its 16 municipalities, while Barrie has sufficient employment land to meet its needs until 2051.
He also flagged concerns about environmentally sensitive or protected lands being moved into Barrie’s urban boundary, saying they would be more likely to remain protected under the County’s official plan.
“These concerns and others are shared by County Council and reflect our commitment to protecting the interests of all County residents,” Clarke said.
Details on the public meeting are available at simcoe.ca/notices.