Residents had the chance to review the plan at an open house Aug. 27.
The majority of development in the township is slated for Everett, followed by Colgan.
"They're the two largest settlements," said director of development and growth Jim Hosick.
According to the plan, Everett will take about half of the township's projected development until 2026. Colgan will take about 20 to 25 per cent, with Loretto taking about 15 to 20 per cent.
The Official Plan was updated to come into line with Simcoe County's growth plan, along with several provincial policies, including the Places to Grow Act, said Hosick. The act is the province's growth management strategy, which focuses development in specific settlement areas. The intensification strategy is also aimed at developing fully functioning communities, complete with residential and commercial aspects.
The plan also incorporates the results of the township's own 2005 Growth Management Study, which recommended Everett and Colgan as settlement areas.
The idea of growth in the small communities is not without opposition though. Residents in the Colgan area are concerned growth will compound their already serious water problems.
Colgan residents John and Sharon Yovanoff said they and their neighbours have had ongoing issues with wells, and they want those problems resolved before development moves forward.
"We would like to have a moratorium put on development until some questions are answered," said Yovanoff. "We're not averse to growth. We know it has to happen, we're just saying let's be smart about it."
The Yovanoffs would like to see underground water sources fully mapped before development moves forward. They also have concerns with development taking place so close to the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Along with incorporating the township's residential growth plans, the Official Plan also highlights the Highway 89 corridor as employment lands, meaning that's where the township wants to focus commercial development and light industry. The county already approved that plan, but the township is now incorporating it into its OP.
"It will definitely open up land for commercial and industrial businesses along Highway 89, we're quite hopeful," said Hosick.
The township is holding a special meeting about the Official Plan Sept. 15 at the municipal building, on the 30th Sideroad east of County Road 50. It starts at 6:30 p.m. The township is also accepting written comments on the plan until Sept. 10.
There will also be a meeting on water, wastewater and roads for Colgan Sept. 10. It is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the municipal building.
Copies of the Official Plan are available on the township's website, http://www.townshipadjtos.on.ca or at the municipal building.
