Residential towers plan deferred; Sarnia city council notebook

London-based Farhi Holdings Corp., seeking rezoning and official plan amendments from Sarnia city council Monday, received instead another 60 days to tweak plans for two, 23-storey residential towers in Sarnia’s Northgate Plaza.

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The nearly $400-million infill investment that would create 848 residential units and 900 square meters of retail commercial space at grade, according to agent Michael Davis with Siv-ik Planning and Design Inc., is welcome, said business owners in the commercial plaza who spoke to Sarnia city council Monday.

“We’re very excited this is going to be developed,” said Susan Chamberlain, with The Book Keeper.

But there are concerns there’s not enough parking in the proposalshe said, noting shoppers could be deterred if the area gets too congested

“Northgate is already very hectic and chaotic at times,” added Natalie Tavares, with The Water Bug, a health food store in the plaza.

“Not having the required parking spots would only add to the congestion we experience on a daily basis,” she said.

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Sarnia’s bylaw calls for 1.5 parking spaces for every unit, and the proposal is for 1.15 spaces for every unit, leaving a gap of nearly 300 spaces, she said.

A bus terminal in the plaza, and space for bike storage in the buildings make the 1.15-spaces-per-unit ratio workable, and more financially desirable, said Davis adding creating parking stalls in the building costs about $50,000 a space.

The 1.15-spaces-per-unit ratio also aligns more closely with what other municipalities permit, he said.

Given the feedback, he said, the applicant could work with city staff to look into more opportunities for onsite parking.

“This is the type and form of transit-oriented development that the province and communities across Southwestern Ontario are promoting,” he said.

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There also were concerns about plaza tenants not receiving notice about public input opportunities held as early as last November.

Council voted 5-3 for the deferral. Mayor Mike Bradley and councilors Bill Dennis and George Vandenberg were opposed. Coun. Brian White was absent.

Women’s Interval Home looking for land

Council unanimously authorized staff to work with the Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton to identify surplus city land for a supportive housing proposal.

Many women fleeing abusive partners with their children return to their abuser because they don’t have other options amid high rental costs and financial instability, said home executive director Jennifer Vansteenkiste.

Some 15 to 20 units, a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom, are needed to meet demand, she said.

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“Having a specific site is what helps unlock federal and potentially provincial dollars for a new housing development,” said Tim Welch with Tim Welch Consulting Inc., who presented the ask alongside Vansteenkiste.

Nearly four in five fleeing abuse said high housing costs were a barrier to leaving an abuser, Vansteenkiste said.

With a lack of local affordable housing, women are staying with or returning to abusers, or not seeking help in the first place, she said.

The home has space for 115 adults and 56 children and an average stay of 25 days, Welch said, noting a waiting list has 65 people.

The home is also working with the County of Lambton on funding applications, he said.

Rezoning for retail approved

Rezoning and official plan amendments were approved to allow retail alongside restaurants at 1111 and 1115 Confederation St.

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The Longo Holdings Inc. owned property already is home to a McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Swan Pizza, council heard.

Plans are also to put in traffic lights at Vanier Road and Confederation Street at some point in the future, city staff said.

Berger Road naturalized area needs work: landscape architect

A naturalized area along Berger Road has become rife with invasive species, says the landscape architect retained by the city to come up with designs for the space.

The half-kilometer-long stretch on the north side of Berger Road includes a naturalized area that likely was designed to encourage pollinators and biodiversity, but hasn’t been well kept, said John DeGroot.

Safety hazards such as burrs and ticks also are present, he said, noting plans are to speak with neighbors later this month about options and come back to city council with recommendations.

The likely preferred outcome is turning it to grass and moving dozens of young trees in the naturalized areas alongside nearby mature trees, he said.

About $2,100 has been spent on the design work so far, city staff said in a report.

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