Clearview plans for growth beyond usual scope
Clearview council has voted in favour of initiating a Stayner Secondary Plan that will look as far out as 2071 when planning for future municipal infrastructure.
“The issue really is about the economics of building infrastructure,” said Clearview Township CAO John Ferguson at the March 24 council meeting. “Not all developers are in a situation to participate in the infrastructure costs. We saw how long it took to get to where we are today with our existing Klondike Park [Road] project. So, we want to make sure we’re planning our infrastructure in accordance with what we believe the future numbers will be.”
Ferguson said he believes the population projections done about six years ago underestimate the amount of growth that will be realized in Clearview Township.
“I want our municipality to be ready for that,” said Ferguson. “I think this area near Georgian Bay is an attraction for a lot of people, especially families who want to move here, and we want to be a part of that process by making homes available to people in the future. This is really about proper planning but also the economics of building infrastructure. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s not easy to have partners involved, and getting them involved, so planning now for the future is a smart thing to do.”
The township was recently allocated $35 million in provincial infrastructure funding to cover half of a Stayner water servicing project. The Klondike Park Road (KPR) wellfield facility and watermain project is estimated to cost a total of $70 million, which will be funded in partnership with members of the development community, each committing $10,077,450, and $4,772,025 from Clearview. The development charge pre-payment agreement accounts for a total of 3,675 single detached dwelling equivalency units.
In preparation for the Housing- Enabling Water Systems Fund application, council supported a request to the County of Simcoe to expand the settlement area of Stayner demonstrating its commitment to plan for future growth. While a new Provincial Planning Statement makes it easier for settlement boundary expansions the province still requires municipalities to demonstrate sufficient need and capacity. It also requires consideration of prime agricultural lands and existing agricultural systems.
