Infrastructure projects eyed for east Sarnia development

Talks with landowners have begun as Sarnia prepares to build infrastructure for expected development in the city’s east.

Article content

That includes a recent meeting with seven property owners abutting the planned Wellington Road extension through the heart of Development Area 2 — a 570-hectare (1,408-acre) area bounded by London and Confederation lines and Model and Blackwell Side roads, said David Jackson, the city’s engineering and operations general manager.

Article content

Typically, developers transfer land to the city for rights of way as part of the subdivision planning application processes, which developers initiate, Jackson said.

But Sarnia plans to seek provincial Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund grants for the estimated $20-million road extension project, or other key infrastructure projects related to things like sewer and stormwater capacity, Jackson said. It has begun talks in case a pending grant ask — a long shot — pans out.

Article content

The meeting with landowners included discussions about where developers are in their planning processes, and if they’re open to earlier transfers of right-of-way lands under the right circumstances, he said.

There likely won’t be shovels in the ground soon, he said, estimating the land transfer talks would take a couple of years.

An environmental assessment would also be required, a city engineering report says.

“It is largely dependent on when the developers are ready to advance,” Jackson said, noting interest in developing Area 2 likely will grow in the next few years as other development lands to the north fill up.

Other options for the grant application include an estimated $6.5-million project to boost capacity of five sewage pumping stations along London Line, or a $5.8-million stormwater pond expansion at the eastern edge of Heritage Park, city officials said.

Article content

All three are part of Area 2’s secondary plane, which lays out where parks, roads, zoning and other things go. It was recently approved by city council.

“Basically, what we’re doing is we’re trying to slowly advance all of them so we’re prepared,” Jackson said. “As soon as the developers are ready to go, then we can start advancing those projects.”

A north-south arterial road through the development area also is needed, along with other water and sewer pipe infrastructure included in the secondary plan, he said.

One major reason Sarnia’s chances at grant money are low, however, is because the city exceeded its provincially assigned housing target in 2023, he said.

Sarnia received $400,000 recently for blowing by its modest, 73-unit housing target for the year, achieving 254 units, or 348 per cent of the target.

Article content

It appears the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund program was created for municipalities who missed their targets due to major infrastructure project hurdles, Jackson said.

“Which limits our chance,” he said, noting the $200 million in grants available is not a lot when split between different projects provincewide.

Sarnia can apply for one project and was awaiting details from the province before picking one, the city report says.

The grant application deadline is April 19, the report says, and funded projects must begin before Sept. 30 and be completed by March 31, 2027.

The stormwater pond project, for example, is a likely candidate for the application and could be expedited if the city gets a grant, Jackson said.

[email protected]

Article content