Public meeting held for large development in Barrie’s annexed land area
Much of the land in the combined 318.7-acre proposal has long been used for agricultural purposes

Simcoe.com
March 21, 2017
Chris Simon

We’re on the cusp of seeing exactly what the lands annexed from Innisfil in 2010 are meant for.

Barrie councillors got their first glimpse at a significant industrial and residential development in the city’s south end during a public meeting March 20. The proposal, which calls for the rezoning of the land to permit 1,445 residential, 16 industrial employment and a block of commercial units, could be constructed south of the McKay Road and Veteran’s Drive intersection. Rezoning is an early but significant step toward the eventual construction of the project.

Much of the land in the combined 318.7-acre proposal has long been used for agricultural purposes. The industrial area is scheduled to be built on the portion wedged between Veteran’s and Highway 400. Meanwhile, the residential and commercial component of the plan would be constructed west of Veteran’s.

“I’m very excited to be here as the first applications for the annexed lands,” Keith MacKinnon, a consultant working on behalf of the developer, Watersand Construction, said, noting the residential portion proposed will offer a variety of housing options ranging from townhouses to large detached homes.

A nearly 15-acre stretch close to the western border of the project will be reserved for environmental protection.

“The subject lands are wholly within the 2010 annexed lands … adjacent to the northern boundary of the Town of Innisfil,” city manager of growth planning Stacey Forfar said, in a report to councillors. “A neighbourhood meeting was not held for these lands given the site’s isolated location and that the majority of the surrounding lands are owned by the applicant.”

Staff will present a report to councillors on upcoming annexed land applications April 3.

“This isn’t just another development,” Councillor Andrew Prince said. “We’re looking at a complete neighbourhood — the first of many to come. We’re seeing a lot of multi-generational families moving up from Vaughan and (Toronto). My concern is on traffic. We’ve seen the mistakes that have been made when we don’t take into consideration the number of people we bring to a certain development.”

For more information on the McKay project, check out the March 20 general committee agenda available at barrie.ca.