VIP Rail has received approval of an official plan amendment required to expand its rail car storage facility.
Sarnia council approved redesignating the subject lands from environmental protection to general employment on Monday.
Just over 10 hectares (about 25 acres) will be transferred from Arlanxeo to support the 25-track rail facility expansion.
The proposed rail yard junction leverages existing infrastructure to support the city's industrial area's long-term operation and economic role.
The property is located northeast of Kenny Street and Esso Chemical Drive.
VIP Rail completed a similar expansion in 2013.
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Sarnia council has endorsed establishing a bylaw to create a new water leak bill relief program.
It will provide a 75 per cent credit of excess costs, to a maximum of $2,000, to homeowners who have experienced an unintentional leak.
Excessive bills from filling pools, watering lawns, accidental use like leaving a tap on, or purposeful damage would not receive relief. Leaks as a result of negligence -- like allowing temperature to drop in the home in the winter causing a pipe burst or properties left unmonitored -- would also not be eligible.
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A temporary mural, designed by Emily Wright, has been selected for the Canatara Beach Lifeguard Station.
Sarnia council approved the design on Monday.
Residents were encouraged to vote for their favourite of two designs in May.
Wright said her design was inspired by the natural beauty that can be found at Canatara Park and beach. "I have illustrated a sunset at the beach and included some of the flowers that can be found throughout the park; black eyed Susan, prairie smoke, wild geraniums and blue phlox flowers," said Wright. "I chose to include these flowers due to the history of Canatara Park and Maud Hanna."
In 1932, during The Great Depression, Hanna donated $10,000 to the city -- half of the money the city needed to purchase the land for Canatara Park.
Initially, there were three mural options posted for consideration. However, an entry developed using artificial intelligence was withdrawn after the survey was posted.
The cloth mural will be installed by the nuSarnia Foundation this summer thanks to a generous donor who contributed $5,000.
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City council has authorized a temporary heavy truck exemption for crews building the new Highway 40 CN Rail overpass.
The exemption allows for a more efficient route to the construction site from the gravel dock on Devine Street.
Trucks have currently been travelling along Christina – St. Andrew – Vidal – Highway 40 and then Indian Road to Confederation Street -- or continuing on Highway 40 depending on which side of the project site they are accessing -- to get to the site.
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The sale of the Sarnia Sting has received council consent.
The ownership change was announced earlier this month, but required the final sign off from city council.
Ryan Finch and Mark Guy will join David Legwand, who still has a minority ownership stake in the team, and Ontario Hockey League Commissioner Brian Crawford.
The team is remaining local and the sale is set to close June 24, 2025.