Lawrence city leaders have said they want to get ahead of growth. At their weekly meeting tonight, they’ll have a chance.

City staff plan to ask the Lawrence City Commission for permission to start developing an area plan for 7.5 square miles west of Kansas Highway 10. The area is bounded on the north by U.S. Highway 40 and extends to Clinton Lake on the south.

“It’s a fairly natural assumption to think that’s where the city will grow,” Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen said.

Wildgen met last week with the owner of 400 acres west of K-10. According to a staff memo, the property owner does not have immediate plans to develop the land, but will seek building permits later this decade. Wildgen said that means now would be the right time to start planning for the water, sewer and road systems expected to fill the area.

“Being ahead of time, two or three, or even more years, is still better than waiting until it’s too late,” Wildgen said.

In addition to infrastructure, Wildgen said the city commission should keep in mind the need for public works, police and fire services as they consider planning for the area.

City commissioners will meet at 6:35 p.m. today at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.