During the election campaign, many people expressed a desire to see the Township of Springwater retain its enviable lifestyle of rural and small urban living. Many stated that they moved to Springwater because of the proximity to Barrie but also the ease of access to a quieter and simpler style of living. Most acknowledged that they were willing to forego some of the amenities offered by the larger urban centres, if they could retain the open space, small community atmosphere and access to nature.
To better understand the wishes of the residents I signed up to use an online survey tool and constructed a brief survey for residents to complete if they so desired. A number completed the survey and here are the results of that survey.
The questions were simple and easy to follow.
Most people have thought about the potential of uncontrolled development especially in the Midhurst and Hillsdale areas.
The fact that 80% of people feel that development must be controlled goes against the concept that developers are the best ones to decide how to build the future of Springwater.
It appears that most residents feel that Springwater is an area where smaller developments are in order that are complimentary to the mainly rural nature of the township. There are obviously a lot less conflicts with agriculture if we continue at the pace we have experienced over the last many years.
The 500 plus proposed development projects are contrary to all provincial planning policies in non growth areas and definitely not something that is desired by most of Springwater residents. I am sure the two respondents in the 500 or more homes a year represented some of our larger development community.
It is interesting to note that Midhurst and Hillsdale with two official plans and the township’s focus for larger developments are out of sync with what the electorate feel is appropriate. We know the largest developments on the table comprising about 5,000 homes over the next 20 years are focused around Midhurst.
This next issue doesn’t need to be regurgitated but is interesting. If you want to really understand how poorly the rates were established and implemented speak to Fred Archer.
I witnessed the mixed messages he received from the previous elected officials during his number of appearances at planning and council meetings earlier this year. I understand that the whole development charge matter will be one of the first things this council will address.
The employment land focus is the Hillsdale Flos Four West/CR 93 area, Snow Valley and Bertram Business Park, which are all good areas for industrial growth.
However, there seems to be little done to promote Elmvale employment lands where there is access to an excellent labour force and a number of support services that could be an incentive for companies that want to locate in Springwater.
When it comes to development, it is the people of Springwater that should decide. There is a misconception that development will mean a new stream of revenue for a municipality. If you read the Hemson report that was prepared for the County prior to their most recent Official Plan, it suggests that there is no proof that new development of any kind provides addition free cash from the actual development charges or the new assessment. The expenses for new and added services that accompany development typically equal or exceed the new revenue stream. At best development is revenue neutral.
Everyone I met during my campaign, except for a few developers and land speculators, believe that Springwater should grow at a slower and more orderly pace then our big neighbor to the south. Springwater is not a designated urban node growth centre and its allocation of another 6,000 people over the next 20 years by the province in its Growth Plan Amendment would allow the township to address the needs of its residents in a well planned fashion without incurring a major debt servicing. That would mean about 150 homes a year on average which would be easily incorporated into the existing services and infrastructure.
Talk to your newly elected officials and emphasize the importance and urgency of the need for the township to develop its own concise plan for future development. It must be our elected officials that create the long term vision and plan for orderly growth, rather than the paid staff or the large developers. They should be viewed and used as advisors. They should not be the decision makers. My experience as a committee of adjustment member for 5 years suggested that some staff have a distorted view of good planning which is not necessarily in the best of the township.
Springwater’s residential, commercial and industrial growth must be complimentary to the rural nature of the township. This allows our settlement areas to live in close harmony with the mainly agricultural landscape of Springwater.
Keep informed and attend the Planning Meetings whenever you can and attend public meetings on Planning issues when they arise.
Everyone on this new council appears to be open and interested in a more transparent approach to government in Springwater. Keep informed and spend the time to talk to this fresh group of individuals. They have the ability to move this township out of its adolescence and be an example of an efficient, visionary municipality.
Bill French
Grenfel
