Sudbury hilltop development proposal worries some nearby residents

A proposed housing development in a Sudbury neighbourhood is troubling residents who say they are concerned about potential environmental damage and increasing flood risks.

Stephan Beaulieulives in the Donovan-Flour Mill community with his wife, Rosemary. He explained how his home backs onto a rock outcrop covered in birchand evergreen trees, which act as a natural buffer from the water that gushes when the snow melts.

If those trees are removed for the development, Beaulieu isn't sure how his property would fare in a neighbourhood that already deals with flooding concerns every spring.

• Sudbury's Flour Mill area seeks flooding solution
• Flour Mill serves as floodplain for Junction Creek

"We were concerned about a development up there possibly making our flooding situation worse," he said.

His wife said the couple settled here to be with nature, not with concrete.

"We love our property because of the view. It's a lot like being out in the bush when you're back there. It's very private," she said."All the wildlife will have to leave once they start blasting."

Beaulieuexpressed admiration for the natural spacewhere he lives along with concernoverwhat it may turn into.

"It is like being at camp everyday. And now they want to take that away and now we're going to see a big skyscraper or a three-story or five-story multiplex.

"I am absolutely, absolutely against the building."

Not a done deal

The exact plans for the proposal have not yet been released and Coun.Joscelyne Landry-Altmannsaid the city will ensure that any development conforms with the community.

"This is privately-held property, but by the same token, the project needs to fit the property and needs to fit the neighbourhood," she said."What they're proposing doesn't mean it's a done deal by any means and if it needs to come to the planning committee, I sit on that as well."

A senior's home was proposed for the hilltop property several years ago, but the Ontario Municipal Board rejected the project.

The site was last owned by Three Seasons Investments. No one from that groupimmediately responded to calls from CBC News.

New plans are expected to be released by consulting company Tulloch Engineeringat a community meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at 450 Morin Street in Sudbury.