Springwater launches new mobile app
Township of Springwater / July 11, 2024 – The Township of Springwater is thrilled to announce the official release of its new mobile app; designed to enhance the lives of residents and streamline access to essential services. Available now on both iOS and Android devices; the Springwater app provides a seamless experience for users seeking information, updates and convenient solutions.
The new app features:
- Real-time Updates: Get instant access to news, events and project updates, keeping users informed at all times.
- Council Engagement: Seamlessly access Council meetings, agendas and minutes.
- Effortless Service Requests: Submit service requests and concerns directly to the Township for swift resolution.
- Tailored Notifications: Users are able to customize their preferences to receive personalized notifications.
- Convenient Access: Residents and property owners can access tax and utility billing accounts.
- Effortlessly Connect: Easily locate contact information and connect with Township departments using the intuitive interface.
“The app showcases Springwater’s commitment to modernizing its services to make it easier for residents to connect with the Township,” said Jeff Schmidt, Chief Administrative Officer. “Through the app, users will enjoy convenient access to a range of popular, customizable information and services, all at their fingertips”.
New users are invited to download and install the Springwater mobile app and enter the contest for a chance to win a new iPad. The contest is open until August 31, 2024 and one lucky winner will be randomly selected on September 3, 2024.
Users are invited to submit feedback directly within the new app which will be used to improve the app to better serve the community. Download the app by visiting the Apple App Store or Google Play store and searching for ‘Springwater’
Springwater staff give thumbs up to pit expansion plans
Jul 03/24
By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com
A proposal to extend the life of an aggregate pit on Snow Valley Road in Springwater has received initial approval from township staff.
According to a report that will be presented at Wednesday’s township council meeting, prepared by planning services manager Chris Russell, the McColgan Pit, located in the Midhurst area at 1322 and 1368 Snow Valley Rd., has an expected life-span of five more years.
He’s recommending council approve applications to amend the township’s Official Plan and zoning bylaw to facilitate the expansion and continued extraction of aggregate from it.
The applicant, 1693297 Ontario Inc. (Eisses Brothers Excavating), is looking to secure approvals to continue extraction operations on an adjacent plot of land to the north, municipally known as 1196 Anne St. N.
They are looking for:
an amendment to Springwater’s Official Plan to redesignate the subject land from ‘employment’ to ‘employment exception’.
an amendment to Springwater’s zoning bylaw to rezone the subject land from the ‘agricultural (A)’ to the ‘extractive industrial (ME)’ zone, with site-specific exceptions, including a 30-metre extractive setback to the adjacent Industrial zoned parcel (1216 Anne St. N.) instead of the required 120-metre setback, a 58-metre setback to the closest residential dwelling (1216 Anne St. N.) instead of the required 150-metre setback and a zero-metre setback between the existing pit and expansion land to permit the extraction of resources within the shared border of the parcels instead of the required 15-metre setback.
“As the expansion lands are currently designated for ‘employment’ uses within the Midhurst Secondary Plan and zoned agricultural (A) under Bylaw 5000, an Official Plan amendment and zoning-bylaw amendment are needed to consider the applicant’s requested expansion plans,” Russell wrote in his report.
The proposed extraction of aggregate material from the subject land is considered to be a temporary and interim use of the land, he added.
“Once materials are removed and the site rehabilitated in accordance with Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) requirements, the long-term use of the lands would revert back to being dedicated for development as ‘employment’ lands,” Russell said in his report.
The expansion is proposed as a ‘Class A – Above Water Table’ pit under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) with a maximum annual tonnage limit of 400,000 tonnes.
The annual tonnage limit is proposed to match, and be combined with, the current McColgan Pit limit, so there is expected to be no increase in truck traffic.
The company is working with the MNRF to begin the ARA licensing process. Through the licensing process, the township says it is recognized as a commenting agency and staff will prepare separate technical comments for MNRF review once circulated.
According to the applicant’s representative, James Hunter of Innovative Planning Solutions, there is no timeline for the existing pit. The licence has been in place since 1984 and the expansion could be a five- to 20-year plan.
“As operations occur, the plan is to rehab those lands to return them to employment uses,” Hunter said at a public meeting to discuss the proposal on April 10.
The after-use plan encompasses both the existing pit land and the expansion land.
The conceptual after-use plan includes 22 industrial lots with a minimum lot size of 0.40 hectares (one acre) and access to full municipal services.
“While the plan is still conceptual at this stage, the proposal would increase the township’s total serviced industrial land base considerably,” Russell wrote.
The proposal received one comment from the public.
“On a positive note, I am pleased to see a high-quality aggregate producing pit in the Township of Springwater, close to end users while strategically positioned in an industrial area of the township,” wrote the resident of 28 Boothby Cres., whose name was redacted.
To facilitate the expansion and continued extraction of aggregate resources from the McColgan Pit, Springwater staff recommended the report be received and council adopt the Official Plan amendment and that the amendment be submitted to the County of Simcoe for final approval, subject to minor modifications.
Additionally, staff recommended the implementing zoning bylaw be submitted to council for adoption, subject to the approval of the Official Plan amendment by the County of Simcoe.
Springwater Swing
By Linda Belcourt, Editor July 16, 2024 – Township of Springwater’s Mayor Jennifer Coughlin was a wonderfully gracious host with a great day of golfing and camaraderie on Monday July 18, 2024 at Vespra Hills Golf Club in Minesing for the Mayor’s Springwater Swing. The fund-raising event was very successful and funds will be donated as needed to youth in the township. Thanks to sponsors and players for your support of this great cause. It was a pleasure for the Springwater News team staff to mingle with the staff and other players including council.