The town is inviting residents to help create a plan for Collingwood’s development over the next 20 years.
This year, Collingwood is updating its official plan, which is the document that sets out growth areas in the town and what type of growth can occur in which location.
Director of Planning Adam Farr recently attended a Downtown Collingwood BIA board of management meeting to encourage business owners to provide input on the plan.
“The official plan is the overarching policy document that deals with where and how the municipality grows,” said Farr, adding it’s a policy to govern land-use in the town’s boundaries.
The last big update of the plan, according to Farr, occurred in 2004, and the plan has re-visited every five years with some changes made.
Farr told the BIA board the province is forecasting significant growth with approximately 20,000 to 25,000 more people moving to Collingwood in the next 21 years.
“Collingwood [has been identified as a] primary settlement area, which means Collingwood is expected to receive population growth and should plan for it,” said Farr.
Since the last official plan overhaul in 2004, the town has approved “about 20” other plans for things like water/wastewater infrastructure and servicing, the waterfront master plan, a parks, recreation and culture master plan, and etc.
Farr said those plans each have suggestions for including content in the official plan.
There’s also a chance for members of the public to weigh in on the content of the official plan. The town is hosting a community workshop on Wednesday, March 4 at the Collingwood Public Library (Community Rooms B and C).
There will be three of the same sessions on the day beginning at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. According to the town website, the workshops will include a presentation and table group discussions.
Register for a session online here.
A notice on the town websites offers the following questions as precursors to the upcoming workshop:
- Where and how should the Town grow (areas for housing, jobs, natural areas, and places to shop, gather, and play)?
- What does a healthy community look like?
- How should we travel around the Town?
- What should our existing and new neighbourhoods look like?
- Where will jobs locate and what should our commercial areas look like?
- How are buildings set out and designed?
- How will new development address climate change?
- How should we protect the natural environment?
Farr said the official plan will be in the works for the next 14 months, then it will be subject to county and provincial approval and an appeal process.
For more information please check the project web page engage.collingwood.ca/official-plan or contact: [email protected] 705-445-1290.
