City of Barrie - Boundary Expansion Request

In September 2023, Mayor Nuttall from the City of Barrie presented a proposal to Springwater Council regarding a proposed boundary adjustment. In this proposal, the City indicated that they currently have a very limited supply of industrial developable land with access to water and wastewater. They are seeking additional vacant and serviced employment lands beyond the City’s existing boundary, in the Townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte, to attract new investment and allow existing businesses to expand. A similar presentation was made to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure & Cultural Policy on November 6, 2023.

Four key principles were identified as being critical to their proposal:

1. Environmental conservation;
2. Value to all municipalities, in addition to taxes from employment lands and cost savings on infrastructure;
3. Employment opportunities for all residents; and
4. Potential additional housing opportunities.

Details of the City of Barrie's Proposal

The proposal identified three key study areas:

• Study Area 1 – Penetanguishene Road (Hwy 93) / Little Lake
• Study Area 2 – Bayfield Street North; and  
• Study Area 3 – Miller Drive/County Road 90

• 1,324 hectares have been identified in the Study area; the City of Barrie agrees to service 10% of the developable land for Springwater’s use (at the end of the City’s servicing window).
• Springwater will pay all of the infrastructure costs associated with their land with no commitment on timing.
• In exchange, the remaining land will be transferred to the City of Barrie.  The City of Barrie commits to preserving the city-owned parcels of land around Little Lake as a natural park.

Current Update

On June 13, 2024 the City of Barrie, the Township of Oro-Medonte, the Township of Springwater, and the County of Simcoe released a joint statement to inform members of the public that in response to the City of Barrie’s requested boundary expansion, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing assigned the Deputy Provincial Land and Development Facilitator. Each of the parties are engaged in the facilitated discussions with the intent of developing mutually acceptable approaches to enable growth in the broader region. 

More details will be shared as they become available. 

Documents

City of Barrie Presentation to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure & Cultural Policy - November 6, 2023

Media Release: Statement on Proposed Boundary Adjustment - November 7, 2023

Staff Report: City of Barrie Proposed Boundary Adjustment - November 15, 2023

Council Resolution C655C-2023 - November 15, 2023

Council Resolution C116D-2024: Reconsideration of Resolution C655C-2023 (November 15, 2023) regarding the City of Barrie – Proposed Boundary Adjustment

Staff Report: Request for Information - Potential Future Options and Areas for Growth and Economic Viability within the Township of Springwater - May 15, 2024

Joint Statement: Mayor Nuttall, Mayor Greenlaw, Mayor Coughlin & County Warden Clarke on Discussions Regarding the City of Barrie's Boundary Expansion Request - June 13, 2024

Joint Statement by Mayor Nuttall, Mayor Greenlaw, Mayor Coughlin & County Warden Clarke: Update on Discussions Regarding the City of Barrie’s Boundary Expansion Request