From a thumbs up to a thumbs down, Springwater Township council has reversed its stance on two Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) tied to major seniors housing developments just north of Barrie.
After giving the proposals unanimous approval in December 2023, council made an about-face at its July 2, 2025, regular meeting. Coun. Phil Fisher led the charge with his motion to revoke the support for the MZOs passed with backing from Deputy Mayor George Cabral and Councillors Anita Moore and Danielle Alexander.
Mayor Jennifer Coughlin, along with Councillors Brad Thompson and Matt Garwood, opposed the motion, leading to a narrow 4-3 decision. Those in favour argued the MZOs were pushed through without sufficient local input, sidelining the township’s planning process and community involvement.
One proposal, by the Remington Group at 727 Bayfield St. North, would include long term care, retirement living, life leases, hospice services and retail space.
The other, “Springwater Village” by Paul Sadlon Communities at 742 Bayfield St. North — proposed by Innovative Planning Solutions — is a mixed-use plan featuring retirement housing, residential spaces, and medical and commercial space.
“I want to find a solution for the Bayfield Street corridor that sees the entire area flourish — what we had envisioned years ago. I think we need to forge ahead with a made in Springwater solution,” Coun. Fisher said.
Cabral said the development projects would be getting the best of both worlds — access to Barrie’s services and receiving a lower tax rate and development charges in Springwater.
He acknowledged that the MZOs were originally supported to avoid local planning rules and give the township more control over the street corridor. However, ongoing talks around Barrie’s boundary adjustment have shifted some council members’ position.
In November 2023, a month before the MZOs received council support, Mayor Alex Nuttall and the City of Barrie announced plans to pursue a boundary adjustment with Springwater and Oro-Medonte, citing the need for more land for housing growth and industrial development.
“I feel like this has been an exhausting process where we ended up having to enter into a boundary adjustment — which may happen regardless of how the servicing is handled — but we had to enter into a boundary adjustment, and this is the bargaining chip?” Cabral asked.
Coughlin told Compass News the reversal on the MZOs could strain Springwater’s relationship with the provincial government with possible ramifications.
“I worry this could strain our relationship with the province, and I’m concerned it may send the wrong message — that Springwater isn’t interested in cross-border services and, therefore, doesn’t want to retain the lands at the top of Bayfield Street,” she said.
Coughlin said her message to Springwater residents is clear: the township deserves thoughtful growth that benefits the community and helps build a greater future.
“Springwater is a beautiful place to call home, and it deserves to grow in a way that ensures we’re building a strong future. That means continuing to work with all partners, including the province, to help make Springwater even better for generations to come — we should embrace proactive partnerships that will benefit our community.”
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing told Compass News in an email that “no decision has been made at this time” regarding the MZOs’ request.
