Sarnia City Hall. October, 2023 Blackburn Media photo by Melanie IrwinSarnia City Hall. October, 2023 Blackburn Media photo by Melanie Irwin
Sarnia

Sarnia council briefs

Sarnia council has approved site specific applications for a new condominium development on the east end of the city.

The proposal includes building 42 attached dwellings in the Heritage Park Estates Subdivision, just off of Confederation Line, on each side of Ronald Bloore Drive.

Lands for new condos in Heritage Park. Image courtesy of City of Sarnia council agenda. October 1, 2024.Lands for new condos in Heritage Park. Image courtesy of City of Sarnia council agenda. October 1, 2024.

The area has been given a Class 4 Noise Classification to allow higher sound levels for daytime and nighttime noise.

Since the properties are located within 1000m of a rail yard, the County of Lambton required a noise study to identify any measures necessary to mitigate impacts on the proposed residential use.

An acoustic barrier is recommended.

Council previously adopted official plan and zoning bylaw amendments for the site in 2022.

The original proposal has been reduced by two dwelling units.

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Revisions were made to a planned subdivision along the Golden Mile.

Councillors approved further official plan and rezoning amendments for 1873 London Line, which used to be occupied by the Sunset Golf Course.

The official plan changes were primarily technical, modifying the boundaries of the residential and open space designations.

The zoning amendment made similar changes to the zone boundaries but also enabled semi-detached dwellings in addition to the approved single-detached dwellings.

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Sarnia council gave phase two of the redevelopment of 275 Wellington Street, now known as Royal SCITS Academy, a green light.

More official plan and zoning bylaw amendments, on the former SCITS [Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School] property, were approved on Tuesday.

The developer is planning to build a new 10-storey residential high-rise behind the school and four new four-storey townhouses along Stuart and Talfourd Streets.

Councillor Terry Burrell voted against the recommendations, voicing concerns over adequate parking.

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A new five year license agreement was ratified and confirmed with the Sarnia Legionnaires Junior Hockey Club.

The agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2024 and ends March 31, 2029.

Repairs and maintenance within Pat Stapleton Arena were worked into the terms.

Improvements to the Legionnaires exclusive dressing room have already been completed.

HVAC upgrades will be completed throughout 2025 as part of the existing $500,000 capital budget.

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You can now have up to six standard-sized hens within Sarnia's urban boundary.

The bylaw has been amended after public consultation.

Residents are still banned from having roosters in the city.

Raising a combination of miniature, bantam or standard size chickens is still prohibited as well.

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Sarnia council has rescinded its decision to declare the parking lot on Victoria Street as surplus and transfer it to Lambton County for affordable housing.

City council directed staff to enter into further discussions with the county on Tuesday.

Staff will discuss a new option to purchase agreement for the donation of a portion of the lot, after the county sent the issue back to the city for further discussion multiple times.

The parking lot at 115 Victoria St. N in Sarnia (Photo from Sarnia Council Agenda - July 10/23)The parking lot at 115 Victoria St. N in Sarnia (Photo from Sarnia Council Agenda - July 10/23)

The county will be required to demonstrate progress within a year and report back to Sarnia council before final approval.

Councillors Bill Dennis, Terry Burrell and George Vandenberg voted against the recommendations.

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A motion to evict individuals at Rainbow Park, if Sarnia council decides not to move forward with a court injunction, was denied approval.

Councillors George Vandenberg, Terry Burrell and Bill Dennis voted in favour of the proposal.

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A motion to recognize December as Christian Heritage Month was also rejected by city council.

Sarnia-Lambton Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu has been advocating for the proclamation since last year.

She introduced a Private Member's Bill titled An Act Respecting Christian Heritage Month in the House of Commons in December, 2023.

The bill has yet to reach the second reading stage of the legislative process.

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