WOODFIN ó The potential impact of development on Woodfinís supply of affordable housing topped concerns addressed by town residents at a public forum on Dec. 11.

The meeting was called to solicit comment on a comprehensive plan for the town, which the Board of Aldermen plans to consider next year.

Many residents expressed a desire for parks, recreational facilities and greenways and urged that old industrial sites be reused in lieu of more strip commercial development.

Woodfin is a predominantly working-class town which has seen little development until recently, when several upscale developers began projects in the town.

Residents said that while this is likely to draw more economic development, it also could have a negative affect on housing prices and the small-town character of the town.

Both residents and planners urged the town to find ways to make forms of transportation other than cars a viable option.