Tensions Rise Over Housing Plans in Sarnia

Recently, there’s been a push to construct as many new homes as possible in Ontario, but now a major corporation is looking to halt housing developments in the Sarnia area – creating a rift between rural and urban communities.

Cargill is urging the provincial government to use its Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) for an entirely different purpose than what it was originally designed for.

This tool has become more common as Ontario aims to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. An MZO allows the housing minister to bypass local planning processes and make direct decisions. Typically, this means accelerating development.

However, in Sarnia, Cargill wants Minister of Municipal Affairs of Housing Rob Flack to intervene and prevent new homes from being constructed close to its property.

The company ranks among the largest agricultural corporations globally and operates a significant grain terminal at Sarnia Harbour. Farmers bring their corn, soybeans, and wheat here during harvest time; some products are also delivered by rail. The grain is then loaded onto lake freighters for transport.

It’s estimated that over a third of all grain exported from Ontario passes through this terminal. Fertilizer is also received via ships at this location.

Northern across the road lies a parcel of land within the Village of Point Edward’s limits. For four years now, a developer has been trying to get townhouses built there.

Meanwhile, southeast of Cargill’s facility near the harbour sits an old restaurant property where Sarnia city council approved redevelopment plans on May 25 for a 14-storey apartment building.

Cargill’s grain terminal in Sarnia sits next to the harbour. To the north is where a developer has been trying to erect townhouses. Southeast of the agricultural company is where another developer hopes to put up a 14-storey apartment building. (Google Maps)

Last December, Cargill applied for an MZO requesting that “new sensitive uses” be restricted within 650 metres of its grain elevators.

The report presented to council indicates that Cargill fears housing development could impose “new limits on their continued operation.”

If approved, the MZO would enable the housing minister to override any decisions made by Sarnia and Point Edward regarding these projects moving forward.

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley previously expressed his frustration with how Cargill has handled things with the community.

“They’re ignoring the local community, and I would suggest that they do it at their peril,” he stated.

“The rail traffic, the truck traffic, is a disruption to this community, but we have been silent on that. That may change if the zoning order goes through.”

LISTEN | To build or not to build? That’s the question facing Cargill and Sarnia residents:

Windsor Morning12:19To build or not to build? That is the question facing a giant agricultural corporation and Sarnia residents

Windsor Morning producer Peter Duck shares insight into an issue that’s putting rural and urban communities against each other in Sarnia-Lambton.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) backs Cargill’s position along with several other farm groups.

President Drew Spoelstra mentioned that Cargill’s terminal in Sarnia plays an essential role in Ontario’s agri-food network.

“There are lots of competing needs. I understand that … housing needs should be built. Obviously, we’d prefer it be developed in areas already designated as urban centers; however, we also need our critical infrastructure functioning effectively,” said Spoelstra.

Several rural municipalities in Lambton County have also voiced their support for Cargill’s concerns about potential housing projects near their operations. (Cargill/Joe Treleven)

A number of rural municipalities throughout Lambton County have echoed support for Cargill’s worries regarding nearby housing developments.

Tim Williams serves as councillor with Enniskillen Township – he’s also involved in farming himself.

Ninety percent of his crops go through the Sarnia terminal; without it he’d have no choice but truck them off to Windsor or Hamilton instead.

“I’m just worried that regardless of what they believe when people move nearby and deal with dust and noise from an industrial site they’ll likely complain about it,” he noted.

“And if so then you’ll probably see restrictions on working hours or limitations on what they can do.”

Bev Hand holds office as mayor of Point Edward!

She sympathizes with developers wanting townhomes built there since it’s been zoned residential for nearly three decades already!

“They just don’t want complaints,” she commented!

“We don’t think government should dictate our planning process! But I genuinely believe there might be ways we could collaborate!”

Transport trucks can be seen coming and going from Cargill’s grain terminal in Sarnia Ont.(Lambton Federation Of Agriculture)P>


 
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 P >But could allowing houses nearby lead to Cargill pulling out its operations altogether? The complex has been around since 1927!,
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