CHESTER - Sharon Boyd has extended an open invitation to municipal council to stop by her lakeside home.

 Ms Boyd appeared in front of council on June 25 and made the request in regards to a proposed rezoning of land abutting the neighbourhood in which she lives.

 It's a change Ms Boyd, who lives on Mallard Lane near Stanford Lake, is opposed to.

 But, rather than plead with council to reconsider, she asked them to come over.

 "Unless you see what's involved you can't make an informed, educated decision," she said. "I need you to see so you're not just looking at lines on a map when you make your decision."

 That's not to say representatives of the planning department haven't extensively visited the site, but it's council who makes the decisions.

 The municipality has proposed a rezoning of a stretch of Highway 3 from the Windjammer Restaurant north to the Collicut Building Supplies, from residential to commercial.

 A public hearing has been scheduled on July 21, 7 p.m., at the council chambers for anyone for or against the potential rezoning to make their voice heard.

 Prior to that a public information meeting is being held by staff on July 15 at 7 p.m. also at the council chambers.

 For Ms Boyd, the major issue is quality of life for her and her neighbours.

 She also expressed concern over what a commercial development would do to the value of her property as well as what potential hazards there could be to the lake.

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 Warden Allen Webber said this isn't the first time a rezoning was considered for the area, adding it has come up in the past every few years.

 He also confirmed there are at least two commercial entities that have expressed interest in developing in the area.

 However, both have been told to put their applications on hold pending the outcome of the issue.

 As for the invitation, Warden Webber said he would try to visit Ms Boyd's home prior to the information meeting.

 "The more information we have, the better off we are."

 Already, one councillor has visited Ms Boyd's home.

 Sharon Church-Cornelius, who represents the district, said she can understand some of the concerns raised.

 "The problem is the homes are very close together," she said. "So, if someone were to have a commercial development there it would affect them all."

 More information on the proposed rezoning, including maps of the area, are available from the planning department in Chester.

posted on 06/30/09