Sarnia council is praising a developer for listening to community concerns and adding additional parking spaces to its Northgate Plaza proposal.
Farhi Holdings is planning to construct two, 23-storey buildings with a total of four towers that would have commercial/retail space, and a total of nearly 850 dwelling units.
When local business owners argued the proposal - with over 1,000 parking spaces - was short about 300 spaces, Farhi went back to the drawing board and added 73 spaces.
Speaking on behalf of the developer, planner Mike Davis told council they had some productive conversations with business owners in the plaza.
"We had a meeting with them and to my knowledge they are also in agreement, and supportive of these changes, and the project as a whole as a result of these changes," Davis said.
When asked about a timeline, Davis said the project would be done in phases.
"The south block, towards Exmouth Street, will be the first to proceed," he said. "Farhi Holdings would be looking at moving forward with the detailed design work for the project immediately. It's expected that could take up to between 12 to 18 months and then construction commencing thereafter."
Davis said phase one could be occupied within a five year timeframe.
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis recognized the developer for addressing what she called a "gap in communications."
"You came together with the people that needed to have the answers that they needed," Gillis said. "So, I just wanted to thank you very much for taking the opportunity that we gave you to come to a very good conclusion."
Councillor Adam Kilner echoed the statement.
"The feedback I received was very, very, very positive. So, I just want to thank folks for recognizing that the governance does work," Kilner said. "This is why we have public consultation."
"I am incredibly happy to see that people sitting at a table can come to a compromise and help us move forward with projects that we all know are going to require compromise from all of us across the city," he added.
Sarnia council unanimously approved the official plan and zoning bylaw amendments for the project.