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“This could have significant negative impacts on existing developed areas of the city,” she stated.

She also called for landowners to be “brought into the process” and have input into the study.

Areas in the screening area include Wonderland Road from highways 402 to 401, Wellington Road from Bradley Avenue to the 401, much of Exeter Road and all of Dingman Drive.

“We have lands in this area that I personally have worked on since annexation (in 1993),” Bernie Bierbaum, chief executive of BlueStone Properties, stated in an email message.

“UTRCA has created (a study) based on science that many believe is flawed . . . Hundreds of landowners are affected, projects may be stopped. Jobs will be lost.”

However, it is too soon to raise an alarm over lost development, as this is the start of a long, complex process that will include developers, said John Fleming, director of planning for the city.

“This is the beginning of a discussion based on information provided by the conservation authority. The UTRCA and city will work with the development community. The next step is to look at their model,” he said.

“There is still a lot of work to be done. This is very preliminary.”

But building is slated for the area now, and applications are being submitted.

“We are raising a flag and saying to applicants, consult before development goes ahead,” said Fleming.

The area in question has not been studied for floodplain mapping since the 1980s. There are several reasons why an area may change and be reconsidered as floodplain, with construction a major reason, said Tracy Annitt, manager of environmental planning for the UTRCA.