Brampton city councillors locked horns yesterday (June 8) over plans to convert more commercial lands for housing.

“Once these lands are converted, they are gone forever. We’re closing the door to future generations by pushing businesses and industries away from this city,” said Gurpreet Dhillon, referring to a planning staff proposal that converts 70 acres of commercial land (mostly in the east end, near Highway 50 and Gore Road) into residential.

Dhillon tabled a motion calling for a temporary freeze on land conversions, until an economic development master plan for Brampton is completed by 2018. The motion was defeated.

“I am disappointed that council keeps telling our residents that building a city where you can live, work, and keep taxes low is not a priority,” Dhillon said. “Instead, this council wants to export jobs outside of Brampton and hand them to other cities and municipalities.”

Brampton’s ratio of commercial to residential zoning has long been a hot button item. A growing chorus of community leaders has criticized a planning approach that has seen Brampton’s employment lands shrink considerably and replaced by sprawling residential neighbourhoods.

Dhillon said at 33 per cent, Brampton’s activity rate for employment lands is much smaller compared to neighbouring communities. There is one job for every three people in Brampton, which, Dhillon argued, has decreased the city’s competitive standing.

By 2041, the city’s population is expected to hit 890,000 with forecasted employment growth of 329,000, or an activity rate of 38 per cent.

Dhillon said his constituents in the last election made clear “to stop building more houses and focus on building more local jobs.”

Heather MacDonald, acting executive director of planning, explained staff put up the 70 acres for conversion because the surrounding area is mainly residential, and not ideal for commercial operations.

She said the conversion was part of a Comprehensive Municipal Review, which analyzes best land use options.