Every corner of Greater Sudbury was up for discussion at last night's public meeting on the official plan — a blueprint for how the city is developed. But many Sudburians who stepped up to the microphone focused on a proposed road linking Highway 69 and Laurentian University.

Former public school board director Jean Hanson is asking for the road idea to be wiped from the city's books.

"The proposed university access road will dissect existing skiing, hiking and walking trails, thus decimating the trail network and destroying one of Sudbury's finest outdoor recreation facilities,” Hanson said.

The road drew similar criticism five years ago, when it briefly rose to the top of the priority list.

Daniel Barrette from the Sudbury cyclists union said he thinks the road also discourages walking, biking and taking the bus.

"Students shouldn't be driving to school,” he said. “They don't have that type of money. And they shouldn't be spending it on fuel."

More 'positive' measures needed

The Laurentian access road is just an idea at this point. There is no exact route planned and no cost estimate. City staff said the road project is already being reviewed and could be dropped from the official plan.

Some speakers focused on protecting Sudbury's lakes and encouraging more people to get around on a bicycle.

Wanup farmer Alison Muckle was the only person at the meeting who asked for an official plan that allows Sudbury to feed itself.

"The city has taken some positive measures to help protect farmland in the current official plan, but almost as important as farmland protection is to help make it economically viable for farmers to stay in business."

Muckle said the city should change its bylaws to allow backyard chicken coups and roadside vegetable stands.

Sudbury’s downtown has its own ambitious plan

Sudbury city planners say they will work with council on making an ambitious new vision of the downtown a reality.

The newly-released Downtown Master Plan looks to transform the city's core with new office towers, roadways and parks.

Planner Jason Ferrigan was asked by city council last night how to make this dream downtown come true.

He said staff will be back with a to-do list in the spring, including “the opportunity to sit down with council and discuss its priorities for downtown revitalization, figure out what those priorities are and how we go chase them."

Ferrigan said the downtown plan is made up of 61 individual projects.

He hopes businesses and community groups look at the list and pick one with which to get involved.

Sudbury Downtown Plan - Executive Summary