Ontario Construction News staff writer
Simcoe County Council has given a conditional nod to Barrie’s plan to annex land in Oro-Medonte and Springwater, linking its support to the need for protections for regional economic interests and taxpayer effects.
The Council passed the resolution on Nov. 4 after extensive discussion. While the County backs Barrie’s aim to boost housing availability, it included several stipulations, such as removing important employment lands from the annexation zone – or providing compensation if they remain – along with two Minister’s Zoning Orders to balance potential economic setbacks. The County is also looking for provincial backing on significant regional infrastructure projects.
“These conditions reflect Council’s support for local decision-making around housing while ensuring we protect the County’s economic future,” Warden Basil Clarke said in a statement. “Failing to take a position now could have led to greater economic impacts across the region.”
According to the motion, the County’s approval only covers community lands that can provide enough housing until 2051. Employment areas near Highways 400 and 11 are not included. If employment lands south of Partridge Road are annexed, the County requests $5 million in compensation from Barrie and further talks with Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack about restructuring details.
The Oro-Medonte Council also supported the boundary proposal but asked that any decisions regarding employment lands be postponed until further study is completed. The township wants guarantees that any land transferred to Barrie will only be used for community purposes, including housing and institutional development.
The area marked in Oro-Medonte covers 457 hectares, with 274 hectares suitable for development. This makes up less than one percent of the township’s total land area. As part of the proposed deal, Barrie would pay $15,000 per developable acre – totaling about $10.15 million – as a lump-sum payment due on Jan. 1, 2026. Currently, these 26 properties generate around $43,000 in municipal taxes.
Springwater stands to lose the most land under this plan: 1,126 hectares overall, including 596 hectares classified as developable. Barrie has proposed $15,000 per developable acre here as well-amounting to more than $22 million-plus an additional $850,000 over five years aimed at economic development initiatives. Other commitments include water and wastewater services for 453 acres, provision of 500 waterfront parking passes annually for five years, and temporary access to recreation programs offered by Barrie.
Barrie City Council has already approved this boundary proposal and hopes to implement it by Jan. 1, 2026.
Resolutions from all municipalities will be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing which will decide whether a minister’s order should be issued under the Municipal Act.
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