WELLINGTON NORTH – The township is beginning to update its growth management plan, which was first established in 2017.
In 2021, council approved an update for the plan, and now is the right time, according to economic development officer Dale Small.
“Since its adoption, the strategy has been a valuable tool as the municipality faced increased growth pressure, shortages in attainable housing as well as planning for key infrastructure to support the changing needs of the community,” Small wrote in a September report to council on the plan.
In an email to the Community News, Small wrote the original plan provided clear understanding of where growth would occur, and explained the need for it.
“Considerable progress has been made on many of the initiatives” identified in the original report, Small told council in his report.
He stated in his email the plan, which focused primarily on housing and infrastructure, helped residents to understand and adjust to growth.
The plan identified a need for more purpose-built rental housing, for example, he said.
“To support this need [Wellington North] adopted some creative development charge incentives that has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of rental accommodations,” he explained.
Key areas to be examined in the update include:
– updated growth forecasts;
– review of growth locations;
– core services, such as transportation needs;
– service and capital plans;
– policy and bylaw updates;
– planning and development framework;
– staffing;
– asset management;
– facility and fleet review; and
– a financing and funding strategy.
The plan will keep the original vision of “Wellington North is a place for everyone where a high quality of life is supported and defined by,” but will revaluate implementation strategies.
“Growth has not stopped, nor do we expect it to stop, so it only makes sense to stay ahead and plan for it as best we can,” Small said.
He acknowledged in his report to council that “not everyone is supportive of growth and change,” but told the Community News balancing the perspectives of those for and against growth “will be a part of this work.”
“As a township, preparing for growth responsibly and ensuring we have the processes in place to be able to afford infrastructure costs is key,” Small wrote.
A steering committee consisting of municipal and county staff will be established to work with an outside consulting team expected to cost $100,000.
“Community engagement will be a key part of the program,” Small wrote in his report, noting future public meetings and open houses will ensure residents’ voices are heard.
Small believes the update, with a timeline of 2024 for completion, will help the township navigate the next phase of unprecedented growth.
At a Sept. 11 meeting, council approved a plan and terms of reference for the plan, as well as the recruitment of steering committee members and the start of a competitive bidding process to hire a consultant.
“This is probably going to be one of the most important documents for this council over the next number of years,” Mayor Andy Lennox said at the meeting.
