Simcoe County has paved the way for more development along the Highway 89 corridor west of Alliston.

The county has approved a part of Adjala-Tosorontio’s Official Plan that will see the land on either side of Highway 89 from the Alliston boundary west to County Road 50 approved for commercial and light industrial development.

“We had to make some decisions with New Tecumseth, and come up with something that wouldn’t affect their downtown,” said Adjala-Tosorontio director of growth and development Jim Hosick.

New Tecumseth council supports the growth.

At a recent council meeting town staff was directed to forward a letter in support of Adjala-Tosorontio’s official plan to Simcoe County.

When the decision was discussed at a committee of the whole meeting, New Tecumseth Coun. Jamie Smith said it was important to discuss the planning with Adjala-Tosorontio. Having grown up in Barrie, Smith doesn’t want to see similar bad planning with a group of plazas being built in the same area.

The county passed the township’s official plan in 1999, but deferred decision on the proposed use of the Highway 89 corridor. In 2005, a county study found that more land was needed to generate employment opportunities as Simcoe County grew. In order to approve the designation, the county had to get consent from New Tecumseth, because the land is adjacent to Alliston.

Hosick said Adjala-Tosorontio staff has been working with New Tecumseth to come up with a mutually agreeable arrangement.

“The industrial/commercial (development), we think, will complement and not detract from their downtown area. It’s very important to us that we work with the New Tecumseth and Alliston folks on this one,” said Hosick.

The subject lands are already home to Home Building Centre, the TSC Store, and the Ernie Dean Pontiac Buick car dealership.

Adjala-Tosorontio Mayor Tom Walsh said he expects the area will attract other similar types of business.

Hosick said the township is hoping to attract larger-scale commercial development, which would be more suitable next to a highway.

One challenge the township will face is access to Highway 89. As part of the decision, any new entrances onto Highway 89 have to first undergo a traffic impact study to be reviewed by the Ministry of Transportation.

The available land is currently zoned agricultural, and each proposal will have to undergo public rezoning meetings, and get site plan approval from the township. Hosick said that some people have already expressed interest in building in the area, but none have formally applied.

The designation does not allow for heavy industry, including salvage or wrecking yards, or other industry that would generate heavy traffic or outdoor storage.

A peer review with New Tecumseth will be required in market studies related to any commercial or industrial use larger than 35,000 square feet.