The development of a five storey multiple-use apartment building with an Indigenous gathering area has received city council support.
Councillor Mike Stark supported the recommendation.
"From the Lambton County Council point of view, we support the concept of affordable housing, including this particular project, as well as the project on Maxwell Street," said Stark.
However, Stark said more affordable options are needed.
"Even with those two projects, we still fall short of what our goals are by the year 2024 and to get there we need to have projects like this."
Stark said the projects needed to be accommodated.
"If we can help in terms of conditioning the parking requirements, we should be doing that," he said.
(An artist rendering of an Indigenous cultural centre proposed at Indian Road and Confederation Street. Image courtesy of Sarnia council agenda.)
Councillor Terry Burrell disagreed and voted against the recommendation.
"It's a way over development of the site," said Burrell. "It has a second use on the site, although it's in support of the program it also adds to the parking needs."
He said the development shouldn't be relying on adjoining properties for parking spots.
"The bylaw says they should have over 90 parking spots and they're going to have 32. It just isn't enough. It's just going to create problems with neighbouring properties."
Although the applicant's planning report deemed the parking to be sufficient and said many residents were expected to walk, ride bicycles or rely on public transportation, Burrell suggested scrapping the cultural centre to just focus on affordable housing.
OAHC Director of Housing Development Cathy Connor previously told Sarnia News Today that construction was expected to start in September 2022.
(An artist rendering of an Indigenous cultural centre proposed at Indian Road and Confederation Street. Image courtesy of Sarnia council agenda.)