Update on the Proposed City of Barrie Boundary Adjustment and Joint Land Needs Analysis and Study

Township of Springwater / December 13, 2024 - At a Special Meeting held on December 11, Springwater Council received a presentation from Hemson Consulting regarding a Joint Land Needs Analysis and Study. The study represents the completion of Stages 1 and 2 of the engagement and was performed to evaluate the City of Barrie’s claim of a need for additional employment lands and consideration for additional residential lands at the boundaries of the City of Barrie, the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater.

Following the presentation by Hemson Consulting, Springwater Council voted in favour of continuing to engage with the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator, Hemson Consulting, the City of Barrie, Township of Oro-Medonte, and the County of Simcoe. The next stage of the process, Stage 3, involves Hemson Consulting developing a work plan to further analyze the options identified in the Joint Land Needs Analysis and Study. Additional information on the proposed work plan will be shared publicly, where possible.

At this time, no specific lands have been identified for annexation. Stage 3 of the engagement will assist in identifying parcels of interest. The Township of Springwater has not established an official position on the boundary request from the City of Barrie. The facilitated discussions amongst all parties remains a voluntary process and in the spirit of cooperation and respect, the Township of Springwater has strictly adhered to the process outlined in the Provincially facilitated agreement with the City of Barrie, Township of Oro-Medonte and the County of Simcoe. The Township will continue to move forward in this manner with the hope that a comprehensive assessment of this kind, will guide collective decisions on addressing land needs for all parties and foster regional collaboration.

The Township of Springwater remains committed to finding mutually beneficial solutions for managing growth that strengthen our respective communities and provides opportunities for all residents.  Additional information and background reports are available at www.springwater.ca/ProposedBoundaryAdjustment.