A draft plan for six single-family homes at the east end of Pamela Court, near Sarnia's Lake Huron shoreline, has received unanimous support from council.
Each of the condominium units will include private access driveways, walkways, and service areas, as read in a report to council.
Official plan and rezoning bylaw amendments were approved in 2024.
A delegation during Monday's Sarnia council meeting raised concerns about increased traffic, associated expenses and safety aspects on Lake Huron Parkway, a privately owned road, specifically between Green Acres Road and Lakeshore Road.
"I think this development should go ahead. I think it should be reconfigured," said Francis De Sena.
He asked for council to put safeguards in place to control traffic at the intersection of Pamela Court and Green Acres Road (east-west).
"By that I mean, you have to make it so that the residents and the people servicing those residents don't have any access to Lake Huron Parkway.
Danieli Sikelero Elsenbruch spoke on behalf of Zelinka Priamo Ltd. and said traffic concerns were already addressed during the public consultation process.
"It's only for six family dwelling lots so you can imagine that any traffic would be extremely low. In considering all the safety concerns, in terms of the traffic brief we have presented, that's what staff considered appropriate for this development," Elsenbruch said.
Councillor Terry Burrell said he didn't know how the concerns regarding a private road could be anchored to the development.
"If the people who own the street want to restrict who goes on it, have a pass system or a gate or something, that would be up to them," Burrell said. "I don't see how that issue should affect the development of six condominiums because they might use that road."
City/County Councillor Brian White asked for staff to report back with potential traffic calming solutions.
"...Just to see if we have any options. I wouldn't want to assume that we do or don't. Just at least if we can give staff an opportunity to come up with a couple of scenarios that perhaps we can debate at a future time," White said.
White's motion passed unanimously.
Another component of the condominium proposal was a tree removal and preservation plan to account for the trees removed from the project site.
It was proposed to plant 1.4 hectares in the 402 Business Park, in partnership with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.
Councillor George Vandenberg questioned why the trees wouldn't be planted in public parks.
"We were trying to assemble an area, which would be part of a forest as opposed to individual trees," said Consultant Dave Hayman. "But planting individual trees in parks is certainly acceptable to us."
Elsenbruch also said the property owner would be open to proceeding with the tree replanting areas as proposed or making a cash payment for the city to decide how replanting should proceed.
Council unanimously approved the compensation planting agreement in principle, but asked staff to work with the applicant on planting options.
