The South Fergus Secondary Plan is expected to bring 7,000 residents and over 130 jobs to the south end of the town, but the move comes with its share of concerns raised by residents this week.

The plan is expected to see a mix of over 3,000 low-density residential, medium-density residential and commercial-residential apartments built. The developer, Wood Development Group, says there will be attention paid to design as the process moves along.

At the public meeting in Centre Wellington on Wednesday, Cindy Lindsay, a farm owner on Guelph Street, with her husband raised multiple issues, and was hoping the developer would be open to straying away from the norm, to add to Fergus' character.

"Wouldn't it be amazing if this development not be a cookie-cutter subdivision, but instead begin to set a new standard in design and planning that is innovative and forward-thinking, when it comes to how we build a sustainable community?" Lindsay pondered.

Mayor Shawn Watters was in agreement, and made example of the hedge rows at the entrance to Fergus. He said he hopes these won't be interfered with, as they add to the history of the town.

Coun. Barb Evoy pointed out traffic calming as something she wanted to see addressed proactively by the developer.

Nearby Fergus resident Donny Porier was one of the registered delegates, who also brought up traffic worries.

"As we know, if it's a huge traffic problem, nobody that's behind McQueen (Street) will ever be able to enjoy their backyard, and now this is going to flow over more to McQueen, which is even going to be a bigger area," Porier said.

"That's a huge concern," he added.

The timeline hinges on infrastructure provision: the developer an estimate would be three years for the early portion of the development.

The Secondary Plan will be in front of council again at a later date this year.

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