Construction of a five storey apartment building with 30 units in central Sarnia has received council support, but not unanimously.
Official plan and rezoning bylaw amendments for the property at 927 Exmouth Street, on the southeast corner of the Exmouth Street and Indian Road intersection, were approved.
Councillor Terry Burrell was worried about the flow of traffic, from the proposed entrances and exits off of Indian Road and Exmouth Street, and had concerns about parking.
"There's 30 parking spots, which I don't think are sufficient," said Burrell. "Normally, if you have less parking spots, you then have spots for bicycles and they don't seem to have any of those. From what I read in the paperwork they should have, at least, spots for 15 bicycles and there's none there. So, I think it's an over-development of the site and I will not be supporting it."
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis admitted to having some objections as well, but said the overall project is "something we desperately need in the city."
"I would hope, with the site plan, some of the corrections that have been brought up will be made," said Gillis. "I do agree with my colleague councillor White, that there needs to be some sort of community room within this building, particularly considering the fact that it is going to be where it is."
Gillis also said not planning for more parking could become a problem.
"Most people here have cars," she said. "To get around from Point A to Point B... we're still not stellar in our transit system as bigger cities.
Councillor Brian White said he "could not have envisioned 30 units on that property."
"But, I am ecstatic that we have the potential to have 30 units on that property," said White. "The location is a perfect fit to provide an example of how to redevelop an area. How to provide infill that is intelligent."
He highlighted the fact the site would be on a major bus route, across from an affordable grocery store, and near doctors' offices and a pharmacy.
"This is exactly the kind of development we should be encouraging in places like this," said White. "I'm happy to support it. I hope that there are lessons to learn. I'm sure there will be things that go wrong, or that will provide guidance for future developments, and we just need to be open minded to those things."
A boarded up house occupies the property at Exmouth and Indian now.
Council heard some neighbouring property owners may be interested in selling to expand the project. A representative for the developer said they would follow up.
