Even though a formal invitation has yet to arrive, Oro-Medonte Township council is preparing for a meeting with a provincial land facilitator to discuss the City of Barrie’s proposed boundary expansion plan.
In his report, which will be presented Wednesday afternoon at the township's council meeting, George Vadeboncoeur, manager of planning special projects, is recommending council:
- authorize the mayor and chief administrative officer (CAO), or deputy mayor as alternate to the mayor, to meet with the provincial land and development facilitator once the individual is appointed
- endorse the County of Simcoe’s participation in the facilitation process
- and proceed in-camera to discuss options to address the City of Barrie’s request as the discussions pertain to property matters.
“The provincial facilitation process allows an objective third party to review and discuss the proposals and alternatives submitted by each municipality through a series of closed and confidential sessions, which can lead to recommended potential solutions,” Vadeboncoeur wrote in his report.
Vadeboncoeur told council that once a facilitator is appointed, the facilitator will invite the affected municipalities — Barrie, Oro-Medonte and Springwater Township — to participate in the discussions.
Two representatives from each community will be invited to attend.
The process is confidential and voluntary and municipalities are free not to participate if they choose.
Springwater council voted last week to not attend any provincial facilitation meeting before receiving a staff report that would detail alternatives and options for the township. That report is supposed to be delivered to Springwater council on May 15.
“It is recommended that Oro-Medonte participate and the mayor and CAO be the designated township representatives with the deputy mayor be designated as the alternate,” Vadeboncoeur said. “Other staff will be available to support the work of the negotiating team.”
Vadeboncoeur’s report lobbies for including the County of Simcoe in the discussions, due to “the county’s roles and responsibilities for the provision of services," such as roads, waste, social housing, economic development and paramedic services.
He also noted that council will need to consider various options in closed session as the matter is subject to litigation and confidentiality.
“The intent is to establish a township’s position prior to meetings with the facilitator and provide a mandate to the mayor and CAO going into the discussions with the other municipalities,” Vadeboncoeur said.
According to Vadeboncoeur, Oro-Medonte council has to establish its position and the options that can be tabled during the discussions that are in keeping with the principles endorsed by council in response to Barrie’s proposal:
- the Township of Oro-Medonte does not support Barrie’s proposed municipal boundary expansion as presented
- the Township of Oro-Medonte is prepared to work with Barrie to find an amicable solution to address its employment land needs based on a comprehensive planning process that works for Oro-Medonte, Barrie, the County of Simcoe and the province
- the township has a need for affordable and medium-density housing that can only be developed on municipal servicing.
“Council has indicated that it is prepared to work with the city and the county to achieve a solution that meets the objectives of each party,” Vadeboncoeur wrote. “If at some point a decision is made to provide lands to the City of Barrie, there will be a substantial financial impact(s) to the township that will have to be addressed.”
