After more than a year of debate, Sarnia City Council has reversed its decision to donate the Victoria Street parking lot to Lambton County for affordable housing, which initially aimed to address the city’s growing housing crisis.
In July 2023, City Council agreed to declare the underused downtown lot as surplus and offer it to the County for a proposed housing development, part of a broader effort to increase affordable housing options in the community.
While the initial decision received praise from some, opposition quickly emerged. Local business owners, organized under the Downtown Business Collective, raised concerns in an open letter dated October 24. They argued that the project would reduce essential parking for downtown staff and customers and negatively impact their vision for downtown.
“We feel that this donation and the loss of use of this parking lot would come as a blatant disregard for the well-being of ALL downtown businesses, residents, and visitors,” the letter stated. The group emphasized that the downtown core lacks amenities like grocery stores and budget retailers and warned that the nearby bars and restaurants “could ultimately impact the quality of life for all residents and business owners in the area, who have been working for years to create a vibrant downtown.”
Facing this opposition, Council revisited the issue and ultimately voted 7-2 to “receive and file” the report recommending the donation, effectively canceling the donation.
Council members shared varied perspectives on the decision, with some acknowledging the role of community feedback while others expressed regret at the lost opportunity.
Councillor Brian White noted that the feedback from residents and business owners was "loud and clear,” suggesting downtown might not be the "right location” for such a project. However, he emphasized that supportive housing facilities can reduce issues by providing vulnerable people with access to safety and support.
Mayor Mike Bradley expressed frustration with the reversal, noting that offering the land for housing had been an 18-month effort and that similar challenges would likely arise no matter the location. Bradley indicated that some of the opposition may have been fueled by misinformation, as he believed emails from the public were based on statements that were not entirely accurate. He added that the county had stated they had not communicated any specific plans for the lot.
Councillor Bill Dennis, who opposed the project from the beginning, argued that the decision reflected the true will of the community. "If it wasn't for these letters that came recently if it wasn't for the citizenry to get involved, we know what the outcome of the vote would have been today and not listening to people is wrong."
The council will now consider alternative sites for the project, with some Council members proposing locations outside the downtown core.