The Inn of the Good Shepherd is seeking official plan and rezoning bylaw amendments to build a significant affordable housing development in Sarnia.
The requests will be considered at Sarnia council's regular meeting on March 3, to be held electronically at 1 p.m.
A six storey apartment tower with 56 units is proposed on the south side of Exmouth Street at Melrose Avenue, with a six unit townhouse block off Orchard Lane.
Mayor Mike Bradley expects there will be some opposition.
"There's no question -- because of the location and because the neighbourhood has had a difficult time in the last year or two with the county's overflow shelter in that location -- that this will be an issue," Bradley said. "I have met with a rep from the neighbourhood and discussed this at length."
The new development would be operated in conjunction with the County of Lambton, which has been running an emergency shelter program out of the former Laurel-Lea St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church on the property since March, 2023.
Some homeowners and businesses in the area recently told Lambton County councillors they've had enough.
The proposed residential redevelopment does not include an emergency shelter, crisis care facility or transitional housing.
Bradley said as the chair of council, it will be his challenge to keep discussions focused on the planning issues.
"It's not meant to replace the shelter that's there. It's not meant to offer those types of services. It's to give clean, decent, affordable housing to people and my message to the neighbourhood in the past has been this... focus on the issues. Is it too high? Are there too many units? Is the access the right access? Those are the key issues that we need to deal with dealing with the planning issues," Bradley said.
The apartment application proposes 15 bachelor units (five barrier-free), 30 one bedroom (10 barrier-free), 10 two bedroom (two barrier free), one guest bachelor unit and 38 parking spaces.
The subject site would consolidate four separate parcels of land.
Negotiations are underway to purchase the properties, but their acquisition and implementation of the project is dependent on the applications approval and the ability to secure financial assistance.
"One of the good things, if this rezoning moves forward on the affordable housing side, is we can make it very clear and put in restrictions on any other uses. So, it will not turn into an overnight shelter," Bradley said.