More than 20 residents packed the Shelburne council chamber Monday night to hear a draft report on the development of Fiddle Park as the proposed Northridge Estates.

They also heard final reading of a bylaw amendment that will see the property rezoned to make way for residential, general commercial and open space recreation development.

Previously, the property, part of the east half of lot 2, concession 2, (formerly in Melancthon) was zoned for development and special tourism. Council received the proposal for a subdivision late last year.

A public meeting on the proposed plan, held July 10 at Grace Tupling Hall, gave nearby residents an opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns. Included in the discussion then were issues of traffic flow, green space and park designation and consideration for a potential trail.

The draft plan of subdivision, dated this past February, shows 319 residential lots for single detached dwellings and three future residential blocks, two commercial blocks and three blocks to be conveyed for park purposes.

During the council meeting, Mayor Ed Crewson allowed for more discussion of the proposal before voting on the amendment and planning report, because he believed it was important to ensure all concerns had been voiced before council moved forward.

Addressing the traffic flow concern, Town Planner Dana Anderson said a traffic survey had been done and the planned roads and access points to the subdivision were deemed sufficient.

One resident was not convinced because future development plans call for townhouses to be built in a later phase and no one knew how many.

Ms. Anderson, answering further questions about the green space and planned trail, said the

town still has the opportunity to discuss a trail during the subdivision agreement process.

Both the draft planning report and the amendment to bylaw 16-1992, passed the vote in council unanimously.

The project still needs approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and meet other conditions before construction can begin.