The city has released its preferred land use option for the employment lands, estimated at more than 1,100 hectares.

Residents of nearby adult lifestyle condominiums, including the Villages of Glancaster, Twenty Place and Garth Trails, questioned the impact of the proposed light industrial, prestige business park and airport related business lands subject to development.

The AEGD phase one is planned for completion by 2031. The phase one area includes land north of the existing airport, between Upper James Street and Highway 6, plus airport related commercial development south of the airport between Glancaster Road and Upper James Street.

The current land estimate for the entire AEGD is 1,134 hectares, but the majority of the Ancaster portion, from Glancaster Road to Fiddlers Green Road, is planned to occur after 2031.

“I’m familiar with the Ancaster Business Park, and that’s not prestige business,” said Twenty Place resident Carol Allan.

Ms. Allan was one of several residents at the meeting who said they were unaware of the city’s plans to convert the adjacent lands for industrial use. Had she known, Ms. Allan said she would not have purchased her condominium unit, where she has lived for just over one month. Another resident who declined to give his name said seniors who moved to the area looking for rest and relaxation will be disappointed.

“If you’re sitting in a home that you bought to get away from all that, you’re wondering what it will do to the re-sale value of your home,” he said.

Guy Paparella, city director of industrial parks and business development, said many neighbouring residents are supporting the plan to develop the adjoining lands while improving transportation infrastructure.

He said residents are looking forward to new commercial development such as a Tim Hortons, plus urbanization features like sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

“We are going to get positive results,” said Mr. Paparella. “People want Twenty Road developed. We will make sure it is low profile and it’s buffered properly.”

Servicing costs for both phases have been estimated at $54.9 million. Mr. Paparella said servicing revenues will be generated largely by development charges, without a heavy burden to taxpayers.

“You’re not seeing a huge levy impact there,” he said.

Several road expansions have been proposed in rural Ancaster to facilitate east to west traffic flow to the AEGD.

Most of the road expansions are not planned to occur until after 2031. The Ancaster roads include an expansion from two to four lanes on Carluke Road East from Fiddlers Green Road to Glancaster Road.

Book Road East would expand from two to six lanes from Highway 6 to Southcote Road, and from two to four lanes from Fiddlers Green to Highway 6.

Butter Road from Fiddlers Green to Airport Road and Garner Road East from Fiddlers Green to Glancaster Road would also expand from two to four lanes.