Journal Staff
Sarnia has approved a plan to build four upscale homes in a long wooded lot at 834 Lakeshore Rd., a property the city five years ago designated a protected natural area.
In a 6-3 vote, council approved a draft subdivision plan on April 19 that will see Tudor Close West extended into the property and fronted by four lots: two on the south and two facing Lake Huron to the north.
Councillors said they could live with the compromise plan submitted by developer Paul Wicks, who originally sought six building lots.
Wicks told council that aligning the lots on the road extension will protect more of the heavily wooded south end of the property facing Lakeshore Road, as well as lower his servicing costs.
Though not part of the agreement, Wicks has informally discussed donating the south end of the lot as a naturalized park.
The 1.3 hectare (3.3-acre) property was designated a protected natural area by the city in 2016. It contains a large number of black oak trees and is a noted stopover point for migrating birds.
Cut trees are to be replaced with new plantings in Mike Weir Park.
Council approved the proposal over the objection of neighbouring property owners and Lambton Wildlife Inc. Co-president Mary Martin said she was surprised council would disregard both its own Official Plan and Climate Emergency Plan to permit new homes in a protected woodland.
Supporting the development were councillors Brian White, Margaret Bird, Terry Burrell, Nathan Colquhoun and George Vandenberg.
Mayor Mike Bradley and councillors Dave Boushy and Mike Stark voted no.