A dispute between Point Edward and Sarnia over a development plan for village townhouses near Sarnia’s harbor heads to a land tribunal hearing in February.
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About a year ago, Sarnia voted to appeal a Point Edward rezoning decision, that would allow a plan for 156 townhouses on the vacant lands off Exmouth Street, abutting the Sarnia-Point Edward border.
Sarnia wrote to the village earlier in 2023 about concerns over noise and dust from the harbour, land use compatibility, the possibility Sarnia services could be used for the residential development, and over potential impacts to the city’s oversized load corridor.
Village council approved the rezoning in the summer of 2023, and city staff appealed before an Aug. 16 deadline, as city council wasn’t scheduled to meet in time.
Sarnia council in September voted to continue with the appeal.
Sarnia community services general manager Stacey Forfar at the time called it a friendly appeal, meant to facilitate discussions between the neighboring communities that share quirky borders and generally get along.
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All but Coun. Bill Dennis at the meeting voted to proceed with the appeal.
At the first Ontario Land Tribunal meeting in December, 2023, the parties agreed to ongoing discussions for a possible settlement, according to a meeting report.
At the next meeting in March, 2024, the parties requested to proceed to a hearing.
A seven-day hearing to start Sept. 11 was adjourned to Feb. 24.
Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand said it’s unfortunate the process has taken so long, as the developer is “anxious to get moving.
“So this just puts him in a hold pattern,” she said.
Village documents list the owner as a numbered, London-based company.
See you December, 2022 planning justification report from Zelinka Priamo notes there are potential species at risk on the 10.5-hectare property. It says those species could benefit from relocation north of a channel on the north side of the property.
The City of Sarnia confirmed it is proceeding with the hearing on Feb. 24.
Sarnia, Point Edward and the numbered company are listed as parties to the hearing.
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