Frustrations ran high during Monday's city council meeting as members of the public and councillors questioned the level of communication on a proposed Indwell project to build supportive housing on George Street.
The Christian charitable organization is planning to build 51 supportive housing units at 333 George St., on land donated by the County of Lambton.
Indwell Regional Director Natasha Thuemler said public consultation was not required, under the county's bylaws, as the George Street property was already zoned for multi-residential use.
"Additionally, Indwell could not speak about the county council's decision of the property to Indwell until after the decision was made public," she said.
Councillor George Vandenberg said whether or not there was a legal requirement, he believes Indwell had an obligation to consult with residents in the area.
"That's not the way we should be doing business," Vandenberg said. "I think the obligation is on Indwell to say, 'we need to talk to the people in a straight manner' and relay to them what you were planning to do. Right now, we're just closing the barn door after the horses are gone."
Thuemler said once the land donation was made public, Indwell did engage in public forums, including an open house held in June.
Local resident Kelly O'Connor-Beausoleil disagreed with the county process.
"As it stands now, our neighbourhood's only opportunity to speak might only happen if zoning relief is needed and only if it's major enough to warrant public input," she said.
Concerns were raised about the possible tenants and the activity that may occur around the facility.
O'Connor-Beausoleil said since River City Vineyard switched to a drug-free facility, the neighbourhood is "finally" experiencing a reprieve.
"This is a bomb being dropped on our neighbourhood without consultation," she said. "Is it fair? Is it just? Is it reasonable to force us to host another such institution for the hard-to-house without asking us for our perspective?"
She said community members have the right to have their voices heard.
"If you in any way believe that Indwell's model of supportive housing might be part of the solution to the hard-to-house crisis we are experiencing in Sarnia, then you need to take this opportunity to defuse the anger of a neighbourhood who's voice has been silenced by the county," said O'Connor-Beausoleil.
City/County Councillor Bill Dennis' motion to not grant any municipal approvals sought by Indwell for the George Street project failed.
Councillor Adam Kilner said removing someone's ability to come to City Hall and propose projects was discriminatory. Councillor Terry Burrell also noted that they are required by law to hear people's requests.
Dennis' previous motion to county council in July to reconsider the land donation to Indwell also failed to receive support.
Councillor Vandenberg brought forward a motion to have Sarnia planning postpone any further action on the project until there has been a full public consultation, which would not include Speak Up Sarnia.
Initially, it was thought that the motion failed.
Members of the public were audibly upset with the outcome, which prompted Mayor Mike Bradley to call for a two-minute break.
When council returned, Bradley rerecorded the vote after input from City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts.
"Leave off the extra and just say within the next 30 days, we have a public consultation regarding this matter and leave [out] the specifics. If they've (Indwell) not filed anything, it's irrelevant at this point. But they want us to hear their voices," said McRoberts.
The motion passed. Details of when a public consultation will take place were not immediately available. As Mayor Bradley noted, the city has not received any municipal approval requests from Indwell at this time.
Indwell runs 29 programs in seven regions.
As Thuemler noted during her delegation, tenants will be chosen from the county's by-name list.
"Part of the selection process is that individuals must also choose to seek housing and desire support services from us," she said. "They must be actively working to improve their current statuses, understanding the need and benefits of supports and services that we provide."
However, Thuemler said there are no preconditions as to how long someone can stay.
"We are looking to support them on their journey through independent service plans. Those service plans may have individuals aspire to moving back into community and independent housing, and for others it's to maintain a level of stabilization which requires the level of support that we would provide there."
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis referenced the HART Hub, which will bring 30 transitional recovery beds to the city, and suggested Indwell provide affordable housing on George Street rather than supportive housing.