Journal Staff
Sarnia council has designated a huge piece of land just south of Bright Grove as a settlement area for future housing in the city’s new Official Plan.
The roughly 530 acres (215 hectares) lies south of Lakeshore Road between Waterworks and Brigden side roads, and includes large tracts of farmland and part of Huron Oaks Golf Course.
Neither city staff nor the consultant preparing the Official Plan recommended the move. But a majority of councillors, supportive of the landowners, have said that Bright’s Grove is where people want to live.
Coun. George Vandenberg, a strong proponent, said it would be years before any development takes place there.
“I’m not suggesting that 500 acres is going to be plowed under tomorrow and is going to be filled in. This is a gradual process,” he said.
The agreement in principle was approved with two conditions - that a public meeting be held to hear from residents; and that the priority for new housing there be mixed-use development to increase density and create more affordable housing.
Council will host the meeting at City Hall on Monday, July 11 at 1 p.m., when residents can comment on the draft Official Plan.
Comments can also be sent in writing via email to [email protected].
City council is expected to vote on adoption of the new Official Plan on July 25 before forwarding it to Lambton County council, which has final approval authority.