The first application for a potential housing development near Alma Acres, 'Crossing on the Twenty,' was shot down by the township's planning committee July 14.

West Niagara Enterprises approached the township with a proposal to rezone the former TH&B railway lines between St. Catharine Street and Townline Road and bisected by Twenty Mile Creek to Residential Multiple RM3 with exceptions to front and rear yard setbacks.

A plan of condominium was also proposed, to create 29 units which would front onto internal roads connecting to Townline Road to the south and St. Catharine Street to the north.

But aldermen would have none of it.

The new development proposal was "worse than what Shurie Road was," said Ald. John Glazier, referring to a recent proposal by Grimsby Classic Homes to build 18 homes on 1.23 hectares. After much debate, council approved that request at just 14 homes in March.

Mayor Katie Trombetta said that she, too, had major concerns with the proposal.

She believes that the town density in Smithville is unique and should be kept that way. She also voiced concerns about flooding of the creek in spring and how that would affect future homeowners.

"There's a reason we have zoning rules," planning chair Ald. Sue-Ellen Merritt said.

"Developers have the right to make their application," explained planning director Brian Treble, reminding aldermen that it took three applications before they got the Shurie Road application "right." "We'll likely be back before the public again."

Merritt wondered where the township's rulings superseded the province's.

"The province is saying intensify, intensify, but where can we draw the line? West Lincoln isn't Toronto or even St. Catharines."

A variety of residents also submitted letters of objection concerning the proposed project, saying that they "fear that Smithville may become just another 'Binbrook', where the uncontrolled spread of town home developments has destroyed the 'small town' loveliness."