Last fall, Gatineau developer Alain Bouladier purchased the 35.6-hectare site which is home to the historic Hippodrome d'Aylmer. Plans have called for an 'urban village' to be erected, but not if a coalition of community groups get its way
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According to an article by The Ottawa Citizen, the community groups are hoping to stop the plans from going through due to a projected increase in traffic, congestion and damage to the heritage character of the town of Aylmer.
The proposed village is said to be a self-contained community which will be located between two existing golf courses.
"Our urban village and the people from our neighbourhood agree that the heart of the community is in old Aylmer, where we have a diversity of businesses within walking distance," Champlain Park and Vicinity Residents Association President Pascale De Courville Nicol was quoted as saying. "Different groups have invested so much into revitalizing the downtown core that it would be a mistake to develop on the historic site of the Hippodrome.
"Aylmer Road is already congested and the citizens haven't had a say in more development. We will not accept more businesses and residences springing up on this heritage road."
(With files from The Ottawa Citizen)
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