We are home builders who…

We are home builders who operate in the City of Barrie. We own lands in the area north of the City, along Anne Street (“Subject Area”). It is not our intention to speculate, we have constructed a number of developments in our great City and employ hard working residents who work to increase the housing supply available in Barrie. We believe that in order for this great city to achieve its intended growth by 2051 it will be necessary to expand the urban boundary.

Given that the current population of the City is approximately 150,000 and the plan for growth for the City in connection with the Growth Plan forecasts an increase in the population of 298,000, the City will need to prepare for a doubling in numbers. In order to accommodate such a drastic increase in population it will be essential to both consider more diverse and intense housing as well as expand the settlement area.

We appreciate the City and Province’s vision for proposed growth in order accommodate the communities changing needs. Although the Region’s intensification as of late has been more focused on the southern end of Barrie, we believe it would aid the City in achieving its goals by expanding the city’s urban boundary north. The lands located north of Barrie between Ferndale Drive North and Bayfield Street.

The development of these lands would allow for the conservation of lands with more intense natural heritage and environmentally protected characteristics located further east and west.

In addition this area is closely situated to an existing well planned subdivision of residential homes. As stated in the Provincial Policy Statement 2020 it is a key direction to municipalities to direct development which efficiently uses resources including infrastructure and public service facilities.
Development Subject Area would enable the city to increase its housing supply while making efficient use of the existing servicing existing in the area. In addition there are a number of public services within a 2 kilometer radius of the Subject Area as well as access to arterial roads and public transport.
In its creation of the New Official Plan the City has conducted a number of surveys to determine the desired growth of the City by its residents. One such survey indicated that 38.7% of residents have a desire to see more low-rise mixed use buildings. We are in agreement with the residents of the City and feel that a more diverse stock of housing would aid in not only the population growth forecasted but affordable housing as well. We believe the subject area would be a prime area for growth including the development low-rise mixed use buildings closer to arterial roads and the development of more traditional housing such as town homes, semi-detached and detached dwellings.
Located approximately 2 kilometers away from the subject area is 70-76 Edgehill Drive, a property which was recently approved for a 16 storey residential apartment with 396 residential units. Even closer is 30 Hanmer Street West, a 10 storey residential apartment building containing 116 residential. This demonstrates an appetite for intensification in the area which will only grow and will aid in the City’s growth plan for 2051.

We strongly recommend that the urban boundary be expanded in the subject area in order to aid in the achievement of both the Province and City’s Growth.