The City of Barrie is inviting residents to share their thoughts on how to manage 4,132 acres of land recently added to the city’s borders. The municipality is hosting an open house and a public meeting this April to gather feedback on a new planning proposal for the property acquired from the townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater.
The land transfer, which officially took effect January 1, 2026, followed the provincial passage of the Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025. The city is now working to update its Official Plan 2051 to integrate the new territory, which includes 3,004 acres from Springwater and 1,129 acres from Oro-Medonte.
To ensure the land is developed according to a long-term strategy, the city has implemented a temporary freeze on most development activities. This measure is intended to prevent scattered construction and prioritize areas for future jobs and housing. As part of the annexation agreement, the city council authorized $38,085,000 in compensation payments to the County of Simcoe and the two townships involved.
For residents living on the newly annexed lands, property tax changes will be introduced gradually. Under provincial rules, most homeowners will see their taxes adjusted over a five-year period, while those with farm or managed forest properties will have a 20-year transition window.
The city will hold an open house on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Rotunda. Following this, the Affordability Committee will host a public meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed updates to the city’s planning documents.
