Municipal staff have been directed to accept a counter offer and settle an appeal filed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) regarding a controversial affordable housing project in Sarnia, at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Exmouth Street.
During settlement negotiations with the city, the Inn of the Good Shepherd submitted a counter offer to what was initially proposed in March.
The latest proposal included an affordable housing apartment building, and eliminated a townhouse block.
A motion by Councillor Terry Burrell, to not accept the counter offer and go forward with a formal OLT hearing, failed.
City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts introduced a successful motion to accept the offer with no further negotiations.
McRoberts' motion passed in a 5-4 vote, with opposition from Councillors Burrell, George Vandenberg, Bill Dennis, and Anne Marie Gillis.
While Gillis noted the concessions offered by the Inn, she wanted negotiations to continue. She noted parking as an example of what could be improved during this process.
"There's lots of other reasons why we should be continuing to negotiate this because I think that we will serve our public much better than getting a ruling from the OLT that is set in stone and we have absolutely no other say from it than that," Gillis said.
Councillor Brian White also noted the compromise to allow for additional "buffering" by having greenspace around the site.
"It does present itself as an opportunity to fill a much needed option for our community reminding folks that this is not about supportive housing, this is not about what's existing at the gong show that currently exists on Melrose," White said. "This is about providing stable housing for folks who simple cannot afford market rent."
The property at the former Laurel-Lea St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church is currently being utilized as an overflow shelter. Previously, members of the Melrose Community Group have expressed opposition to the affordable housing project due to the current health and safety challenges.
City/County Councillor Bill Dennis, who supported Burrell's failed motion, said he was baffled by council's consideration to reverse course on the matter.
"We need to stand firm and show the Melrose and Laurel-Lea neighbours that their voices matter," Dennis said. "Backing down would not only betray those residents but erode confidence in our leadership."
Now that city staff have been given direction by council, the involved parties will notify the OLT that they have come to a resolution and the applicant can move forward from there.
