Lambton County Council voted against an official plan amendment for a proposed new build on Sarnia's harbourfront.
Tricar Properties Ltd. wants to build a 14-storey mixed-use building, with 105 residential units and 173 parking spaces at 485 Harbour Rd., where Stokes By the Bay used to be.
County council voiced concerns over possible issues regarding the future of the nearby Cargill site that has been at the harbourfront since 1927.
"This is very important to St. Clair. We have over 130,000 acres of farmland. Thousands of jobs would be affected down the road if the future of Cargill ever closed. I support the county opinion, and will vote no," said Deputy Warden and St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar.
Local farmers also raised concerns about the future of the Cargill site if a residential property was built beside it.
"It would be wonderful, but long-term thinking down the road, I think it will have its issues, and if Cargill becomes unviable, it will have a huge issue to the rural community," said Lambton Christian Farmers President John Zekveld.
Cargill is against the proposed build, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has thrown its support behind Cargill's request for a Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) to protect the long-term operation of its Sarnia grain terminal.
Speaking on behalf of Tricar Properties Ltd., planner Katelyn Crowley noted that whether the building were to be filled with rental units or buyer units, there would be stipulations within unit contracts about the operation and proximity of the Cargill site.
"We can all recognize the importance of the Cargill facility and the broader harbour and employment environment," said Crowley. "TriCar has no interest in compromising the lawful operation, expansion, and economic viability of Cargill. The proposed development has been advanced with full recognition that future residents would be locating within an employment and harbour mixed-use environment."
Some County councillors pointed to how the zoning change had already made its way through Sarnia City Council.
"I don't believe that this involves anyone other than Sarnia and Point Edward," said Councillor Bill Dennis. "They have no right, no business to tell us, tell municipalities that they can't build close to it."
The weighted vote ended up being 12-5 with councillors Dave Boushy, Mike Bradley, Bill Dennis, Brad Loosley, and Chrissy McRoberts voting in favour of Tricar's proposal.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has yet to announce a decision regarding Cargill's MZO application.
