West Lincoln councillors meeting Monday approved a framework that came out of a lengthy planning committee meeting last week. The Township wants to be included in the 'Grow South' lands targeted for expansion in the regional strategy.

Recommendations call for expansion that would allow the Leisureplex inside the urban boundary of Smithville, allocation for up to 140 housing starts per year, and assurance that sufficient infrastructure be incorporated to support sustained growth for the Ttownship.

The motion, approved by council in a 5-1 vote, forms the local response to the options now circulating the 12 municipalities for input before the region's growth strategy is finalized and sent to the province.

Mayor Katie Trombetta said the report sends a message to regional planners that pushing development in Fort Erie and Port Colborne directions in the "Grow South" strategy is not acceptable to West Lincoln. The Township wants to be considered inside the belt of land above the escarpment proposed for expansion.

Councillor Mike Rehner voted against the recommendations, saying 140 housing units is excessive. He wants to see growth in a way that will preserve the community "and continue to maintain what we have now". He urged council not to bow to pressure from outside developers and planners whose intentions, he said, "are to build, make money and leave". Rehner's subsequent motion to reduce the number of housing starts to 100 per year did not receive support around the council table.

The request for 140 housing units however does not guarantee that allocation from the province. Councillor Mary Dinga said it was a prudent request "as we might only get 50 or 60".

Mayor Trombetta said that commercial and industrial development are part and parcel of the growth plan envisioned for the municipality. She said potential businesses however have indicated the residential numbers must be higher in order for them to locate in West Lincoln.

"Everybody agrees we need to bring in industrial and commercial development. But the reality is that we need to grow the community to bring in those services," Mayor Trombetta said in response to a concern from Councillor John Glazier that the focus for expansion was solely on residential development.

A large contingent from the home builders' community at last week's planning session urged councillors to push for an adequate supply of developable land to meet the demand for expansion. Coun. Rehner said he was dismayed there was no representation from the agricultural community at the meeting.

The report to be sent to the Region will emphasize that the work of BLS Planning Consultants is a solid basis for their recommendations and calls the Region to agree the term 'Grow South' includes West Lincoln and specifically Smithville given its strategic location south of the escarpment.

Recommendations for the framework to guide growth in West Lincoln came from Director of Planning Brian Treble. Last week he told local planning committee members, "the window may not open for many years so we must make good choices to allow for development".

The province approved the Places to Grow Act in 2005 and the growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area of Ontario. Each Region is responsible for completing and implementing a growth management plan to implement the provincial plan.