Chamber wants council to reconsider growth
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce has requested Caledon council to reconsider the approach to growth for Bolton-south Albion following an assessment of the proposed population figures by the Chamber's consultant.

Kelly Darnley, president and chief executive officer with the Chamber, told council at its July 3 meeting that some of their members are concerned about the absence of growth in Bolton.

She explained the Chamber retained a professional economist, urbanMetrics inc., to assess the impact of the proposed population figures for the Bolton-south Albion communities. She added the report validated the Chamber's concerns and it wants the Town to allocate a sufficient amount of population prior to 2021.

In its report, urbanMetrics inc. concluded there is a strong relationship between population growth and the absorption of employment (industrial) land. It added employers are attracted to growing communities that will continue to provide a good supply of labour. The proposed Official Plan Amendment 203 to the Caledon Official Plan will add just 1,600 new residents to the Bolton-south Albion area over the next 15 years.

"The severe limitation on future residential growth in Bolton-south Albion to 2021 will act as a deterrent to business development in Bolton and Caledon," urbanMetrics commented.

The consultant also wrote that without additional resident development in Bolton-south Albion over the next 15 years beyond the Official Plan cap, employment land absorption will be significantly curtailed, and Caledon residents will continue to travel outside of the community at similar or greater rates than in the past. The residential cap will also severely limit growth opportunities for existing businesses.

Darnley asked council how important is the 2021 population.

Planning director Mary Hall replied council endorsed a 2021 population of 84,444 and the Town believed this population was adequate. There would be 1,500 more residents for Bolton and 3,900 more in Mayfield West by 2021.

She added council also approved a 2031 population of 108,000 with staff recommending 10,000 more people for Bolton and 10,000 more for Mayfield West.

Councillor Richard Whitehead said the stumbling block is two separate populations. He asked if council's target should be 2031 and whether they need an artificial 2021 boundary.

Hall replied peel region has the 2021 population entrenched in its document.

"It might be easier for us to tackle the issue," Whitehead said. "I would spend my time and work on 2031."