Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis wants Lambton County Council to reconsider its land donation to Indwell.
The charity is planning to build supportive affordable housing on George Street, and was gifted land for the project at the June 4 council meeting.
Dennis -- who was absent from that meeting and didn't vote -- gave notice at Wednesday's committee of the whole meeting that he plans to file a motion to reconsider the decision at the regular council meeting on July 2.
"As I'm sure everyone is aware, or most people were aware, there was a lot of outrage in the neighbourhood over this surprise to them," Dennis said. "They were really in awe that it was perceived as a done deal. They didn't have a voice in the matter."
At an open house on June 10, some residents living near the site highlighted a lack of communication about the plans and said the development will oversaturate the neighbourhood when it comes to homelessness services.
"I do agree with them, that there should have been consultation before the decision was made. There was a lot of people that are against this, and I'm sure my Sarnia colleagues on council have received a lot of emails and calls as well," Dennis said.
Sarnia City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts also provided a notice of motion.
"When I spoke to the Indwell staff, they said that there was no notification to the neighbours and whatnot because the zoning was not changing," said McRoberts. "But, I would like to give a notice of motion that when supportive housing does come into a neighbourhood area... that we direct staff to actually send out those notifications."
McRoberts' motion will also be considered at the meeting next month.
"We need to let these folks know ahead of time. This is something that does impact the neighbourhoods. Hopefully, all of the council will agree that this is something the neighbourhood has to have a heads up on what's coming in and add more transparency into what is happening in their neighbourhoods," McRoberts added.
The project would see 50 units built on vacant land, directly across from the newly built Aura apartments.