Residents of Grindstone Way in southwest Waterdown voiced concern last week about what they see as ineffective buffering of their residential properties from a proposed commercial plaza.

Flamborough Power Centre Inc. wants to build a commercial strip mall on a 3.4-hectare (8.4-acre), L-shaped site just east of the Trinity property that currently holds RONA and Scotiabank on the southeast quadrant of Clappison's Corners. The developer plans to put a cedar hedge at the back of the strip plaza between the development and adjacent homes.

But residents aren't convinced a hedge will be an adequate buffer and one homeowner is particularly upset about her privacy being compromised because of plans to raise the height of land by five feet on the southeast portion of the property. The homeowner, who asked for anonymity, said the plan will allow lights from the commercial buildings to shine into her home and will enable people in the proposed buildings to see into her bathroom, bedroom and kitchen.

Scott Llewellyn, an engineer for the project said the City of Hamilton balked at plans for a fence buffer because city staff thought the area would become a hangout for young people.

Details about the plaza, which could see as many as five separate buildings occupying a total of 60,000 square feet of commercial space, were presented at an information meeting last Thursday night at North Wentworth Arena. As yet, the city has not approved the proposal that will be subject to a future public meeting and site plan control.

Ed Fothergill of Fothergill Planning and Development Inc. in Ancaster, said privacy concerns will be dealt with at the site plan stage. A possible solution discussed at the meeting was to flip the proposed building in that area of the plan so that its loading doors don't face the residential area. Also, low-level lighting could be installed in that area, the planning consultant said.

The southeast corner of the development also contains a large storm water management pond. The pond will be used to drain not only the subject property but also the eastern side of the big-box site on the northeast quadrant of Clappison's Corners. A fence will surround it and a walking trail will skirt its perimeter.

Under the current zoning, permitted uses on the property include a bank, restaurant, convenience store, dry cleaning outlet, appliance store, a small household improvement store, and personal service outlets, such as a beauty salon, barbershop or tanning salon.

The developer is seeking an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and zoning bylaw to permit an automotive convenience centre and a 2,500 square metre (26,910 square foot) retail building in addition to the existing permitted uses. The proposed building would be big enough to house a Winners or Old Navy, Fothergill said.

The developer also wants to remove a number of industrial uses permitted under the site's current zoning. These uses include a truck depot or automotive body shop and are not compatible with proposed commercial or neighbouring residential uses, Fothergill explained.

The public meeting on the OPA and rezoning application will likely be held in April or May, with the site plan control process following. Additional input from residents can be given at both stages. "It's usually up to the local councillor (Margaret McCarthy) how much residents are involved at the site plan stage," Fothergill said.