Sudbury hilltops see more protection from development

There is a push to protect more of Sudbury's hilltops from development, after several have been turned into high-end subdivisons and others declared public parks.

Several Sudbury hills have been turned into subdivisions boasting great views, most notably Corsi Hill and Sunrise Ridge.

But city planning manager Mark Simeoni said the city's approach to hilltops has changed since those single family home subdivisionswere approved.

He said developers are now encouraged to put up apartment or condo buildings, preserving views and trail networks.

"So, we try to set up a policy where the development occurs, but the community gets things back that hilltops offer, [and] that are unique to Sudbury."

Simeoni said, as far as he knows, there are no new hilltop projects coming down the pipe.

Turning private peaks into public space

Thats good news for people like Naomi Grant who, along with the rest of the Greenspace Advisory Panel, worked to turn several Sudbury hilltops into natural parks.

"Hilltops are like little islands of nature and parks that people can connect to, she said.

Grant said shes also like to see more of the city's privately-owned peaks, become public.

"What I'd really like to see is a process where the community really has a say."

There are several privately owned hills the panel is still worried will be developed.

One of them is in the Donovan neighbourhood overlooking Kathleen Street.

It was slated to be turned into a seniors housing complex about a decade ago, but after neighbours organized a "Save the Mountain" campaign, the plan was eventually rejected.

Clement Farmer was one of the organizers.

He said he doesn't worry about the hill too much anymore, even though the top of it is still privately owned.

"Nothing is impossible, I would say. But we'd look at that when that happens."

The hill was purchased two years ago by Sudbury based 3 Seasons Investments.

The company said it has no immediate plans to develop the property.

On mobile? Click to see map of Sudbury hilltops here.