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Officials are giving residents a chance to weigh in on a proposed boundary adjustment that would transfer nearly 400 hectares of land from Norwich Township to Woodstock.
Two public meetings are planned on Thursday to provide details and receive feedback from residents about the boundary change that would expand Woodstock’s city limits by about 395 hectares in its south end.
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“There’s no decision made, that’s why it’s important to have this public meeting so that we can hear from people, and hopefully the people that live in that area that could be affected will come out,” Norwich Coun. Lynne DePlancke said.
A significant reason behind the proposed boundary adjustment is to allow the realignment of Patullo Avenue to intersect Highway 59 farther from Highway 401 on- and off-ramps, a requirement of the Ministry of Transportation to permit industrial development along the road’s north side.
The boundary adjustment would put the road in Woodstock, allowing the city to proceed with the realignment.
Also a factor in the boundary adjustment is Woodstock’s long-term need for future development land because of the city’s growth.
If the boundary adjustment goes through, both communities would benefit, a report says.
Norwich Township’s surrender of the land woulc yield the municipality tax refunds for financial losses and a portion of future taxes from Woodstock. The township also would receive joint prosperity compensation for commercial and industrial tax classes. It also would benefit from a joint prosperity compensation agreement in a 2017 adjustment agreement for new commercial and industrial development on Pattullo Avenue’s north side.
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“I’m sure the last time we did this, there was a good turnout of residents that live in the township, and I’m hoping it’ll be the same this time too,” DePlancke said.
In the short term, Woodstock can proceed with the Pattullo Road’s realignment to support industrial and commercial development. Long term, the new lands will generate property tax revenue and additional land in the city with the potential for development if property owners choose to sell.
Woodstock is looking ahead to expansive growth.
Last month, Woodstock council paved the way for the development of 136 hectares of land, underscoring the municipality’s need for more commercial real estate.
Thursday’s public meetings are just the mid-point of the boundary adjustment process.
“At this stage, nothing is decided,” David Creery, Woodstock’s chief administrator, said in a news release. “The boundary adjustment committees have prepared a draft proposal and now we are looking for input from the public.”
Following public feedback at Thursday’s meetings, the draft of a final proposal must be approved by three councils – Norwich Township council, Woodstock council and Oxford County council – before submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the boundary adjustment’s final stamp of approval.
Two meetings – the first from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and another from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – are scheduled at Norwich Township’s Oxford Centre Hall.
If approved, the boundary adjustment would take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
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