It has been a strategic priority of Council to advance full municipal servicing and Commercial development of the Town’s proposed Provincially Significant Employment Zones (PSEZs) and identify potential expansion areas for employment area development.
On Tuesday, town staff prepared a report showing the economic impact for WS for the preliminary Concept Plan for the Potential Gormley Employment Expansion Area (1 of 3 requested PSEZs). This plan is in support of the Town’s Dec 2018 request to the Province to identify PSEZs along the 404. Based upon the preliminary Concept Plan for the Potential Gormley Employment Expansion Area (Map Below), Town staff have undertaken some additional analysis to assess the potential economic impacts to the Town and Region.
The purpose of this Report is to provide information on the Town’s assessment of the potential job creation, annual property tax revenues, annual payroll generation and the potential development charges that may be generated through the development of the existing Gormley Industrial Area and the Potential Gormley Employment Expansion Area on the basis of full municipal services.
Report 3 can be found HERE
It goes without saying that balancing the tax base for the residents of WS is a major priority of mine and the second pillar of our Council approved Strategic Plan. While we have heard the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing clearly state that the Provincial Government will not consider any development on the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges Moraine, we believe there are Provincial Policy’s that need to be addressed to help the Town flourish into the future and we are committed to contend for that future state.
Strategic Commercial Growth along the 404 on ORM Countryside lands (a buffer to the ORM Natural Heritage and Core ORM areas- the very important parts) can be safely done with no negative impacts to nearby environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas and we believe that a conversation with all parties involved is warranted. We also believe that full municipal servicing should be allowed into Gormley. Advancing this is challenged by contradictory Provincial Policy statements which we have raised with the Province and Region.
The economic impact by servicing our existing Industrial area speaks for itself. It would add an additional $5.7M in annual property taxes. Our full plan, if allowed adds $27.3M in annual property taxes.
WS Council’s plan. for the first time, has been further supported by Regional Council resolution (Item J.2) on March 21, 2019
Moved by Mayor Lovatt Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti
- Whereas Highway 404 is one of the most significant pieces of infrastructure for people and major goods movement in York Region;
- Whereas the lands along the Highway 404 corridor are highly valued for employment growth;
- Whereas the majority of the undeveloped lands along Highway 404 are considered a buffer between key natural heritage features and settlement areas by the provincial plans;
- Whereas freezing miles of land as a buffer to protect the natural heritage features in this area is not only unnecessary, but also a huge waste of municipal and provincial investment and economic development opportunities;
- Whereas not all industrial developments are a threat to the environment;
- Whereas the Town has a shortage of Industrial and Commercial assessment;
- Whereas York Region has a very well-established and effective land use planning system that requires proposed industrial developments to undertake rigorous studies and thorough assessments to ensure there is no adverse environmental impact; and
- Whereas the provincial review of the Growth Plan is a superb opportunity for York Region to identify new and attractive employments lands for growth and convert existing less desirable employment lands to other uses.
- Therefore be it resolved
- That Regional Council request the province to designate the lands on the east side of Highway 404 in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, as identified in the attached map, Provincially Significant Employment Zone through Amendment #1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017).
Both Town Council and Regional Council are aligned in our desire to see WS prosper and as long as I am Mayor, with Councils support, we will be diligent in making our case to the Province for our independent financial future.
The report was passed by recorded vote, requested by Councillor Sherban who voted against the motion.
Be well everyone.
