While the Winston Road Neighbourhood Plan, which will outline potential development opportunities for the area, is one key to determining the fate of the lands in the area, servicing of the lands will also be a major issue, says Ald. Nick DiFlavio.

"There is limited sewer capacity (there)," DiFlavio said of the Winston Road neighbourhood during Council on Monday night. "There is going to be some serious work that needs to be done."

Bob Nesbitt, assistant Public Works director, says there is limited capacity in Grimsby as a whole. "We have a limited number of lots currently in the capacity," said Nesbitt in an interview Tuesday.

He noted, however, that is why the region is looking at expanding the Baker Road water treatment plant in Grimsby.

"They're in the process of expanding the plant to accommodate growing development in the area," he said. "That would mean there would be sufficient capacity to provide servicing for the area."

Keith Vogl, Planning Director for the Town of Grimsby, says with the Neighbourhood plan coming along, it may prove to be a help in planning for future capacity.

"Now that we're getting to an idea of land uses and number of units that can be potentially approved in the area, we may be able to provide help for further analysis and planning," said Vogl in an interview Tuesday.

The servicing capacity would mean major development proposals would hit a roadblock until any expansion occurs.

"Specific development approvals aren't going to take place until the issues are all addressed," said Vogl, adding some minimal development may be permitted depending on the size and scope.

Ald. DiFlavio said the Public Works Department will be reviewing potential to help cover costs of any servicing through the development charges bylaw. The town is currently undertaking an update of the bylaw and any additional costs of building in the neighbourhood could be included in that, said Ald. Berry.

In addition to servicing capacity, there are also other issues in the west end that need to be addressed, says Nesbitt.

"Right now we're looking at some sources of infiltration," said Nesbitt, noting it appears there is water creeping from the weeping tile into the sanitary system, primarily around the Casablanca Winery Inn area.

"The Region is looking at the flow capacity of the pumping station on the South Service Road just west of Roberts Road," said Nesbitt, noting there have also been other inspections done, including in-line video inspections to try and diagnose the problem.

The town has been working with the Region for over the past year to try and address those issues.

The Winston Road Neighbourhood Plan will be considered by the town's Planning and Development Committee at its Tuesday, Oct. 14 meeting. The consultant will make a presentation with the overview of the plan.