Sarnia's mayor is welcoming an affordable housing development proposed for the former High Park United Church property.
R4 Developments Inc. is seeking official plan and zoning bylaw amendments Monday, to convert the existing church on Brenchley Street into 20 to 23 one bedroom apartments and to build a three storey addition on the northeast side with nine additional units.
Mike Bradley calls it "a very effective use of an existing building."
"The sad reality is across this country churches are closing and trying to repurpose them is a challenge in any community," said Bradley. "So this proposal looks very, very positive."
He said it brings great possibility for other churches expected to close in the years ahead.
"One of the things I'd like to see is for the new council to look at developing a direction, just like Kingston has, on the closure of schools and on churches. They're happening because of population decline, they're happening because of people not going to churches as much and we need a bigger plan than just being reactive to each one that comes along."
The church closed earlier this year and has been vacant for several months.
