On Oct. 4, Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever again expressed concern over proposed expansion to the Greenbelt.
His comments came during discussion of the Halton Area Planning Partnership (HAPP)’s response regarding proposed changes to the Growth Plan, such as increases to intensification and density targets, policies to address climate change and the introduction of a natural heritage system for the entire Greater Golden Horseshoe.
“I have some real concerns for Puslinch,” said Lever.
He said “when the province talks about planning in urban areas it notes how important it is to plan around major transportation routes like the TTC in Toronto.”
In Puslinch, if the Greenbelt is expanded, Lever said it would encompass the lands adjacent to the 401 “which is the single biggest transportation corridor in the province.”
Lever said to this point, Puslinch has only supported the township response to the province’s coordinated growth plan.
“Maybe we should comment more definitively about the lands around the 401 – that they not be included in any Greenbelt expansion – for the same reason the province focuses on transit areas in urban areas.”
Lever added, “I’m concerned if they expand the Greenbelt in Puslinch, it will have a significant impact on our commercial and industrial areas.
“It is difficult enough to afford to live in Puslinch … if we lose the (commercial/industrial) portion of the tax base, it would provide more challenges.”
Councillor Susan Fielding concurred.
“As a council, we need to be concerned with what will make our community sustainable. We’ve already found in the south part of the township the regulations can be very restrictive.”
Fielding said expanding the Greenbelt could further reduce opportunities for property severances.
Lever noted the county has stated it did not believe the Greenbelt needed to be further extended into Wellington County and that existing policies provided sufficient protection.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer again stated his belief that the Greenbelt policies were simply a patch until the Places to Grow legislation came into place.
He added Puslinch is more affected by Places to Grow … “the only thing you can’t do in the Greenbelt is build a bungalow … you can still mine it, or cut trees (to harvest the natural resources.”
Bulmer said “there is the perception that the Greenbelt can achieve something magical.”
He contended the Places to Grow legislation provides a consistent planning approach through Wellington.
Bulmer added “if there is something that is worth protecting in the south part of the township, it is worth protecting in the north end.”
He commented “the modern rivers are our highways and railway corridors … and I’d like to see opportunities remain for transit.”
