Lambton County council turned down a proposal to change planning rules for a high-rise on Sarnia Bay on Wednesday.
Sep 02, 2026 •
A sign advertises a high-rise development proposed near the Cargill grain terminal on Sarnia Harbour. (File photo/The Observer)
The Lambton County council rejected an official plan amendment that would have allowed the construction of a 14-storey apartment building close to the Cargill grain terminal on Sarnia Bay.
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While city council had conditionally supported the changes in May, it’s up to the county to approve local official plan amendments, according to a report from the county.
Cargill opposed the planning changes for the proposed Tricar Properties Ltd. high-rise on Harbour Road. The company handles about 35 percent of Ontario’s grain at its Sarnia terminal and also receives fertilizer needed for local farms.
“It is important that land adjacent and proximate to Cargill’s terminal remains compatible with our operation as a major industrial facility serviced by boat and rail, and that plays a critical role in Ontario’s agriculture, food security and economic competitiveness,” Cynthia Lee, Cargill’s government relations director, told county council.
“In our view, introducing land uses… incompatible with a major facility creates significant and tangible long-term risk for continued operation,” she said.
“We believe this is an incompatible land use,” Lee said of the Tricar proposal.
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The planners at the county recommended rejecting the city’s amendment, stating it doesn’t align with provincial planning guidelines and isn’t in line with the county’s official plan.
Cargill has requested a minister’s zoning order from the province to prevent residential development at this location, as noted in a county report.
No decision has been made regarding that request so far.
Katelyn Crowley , a planner acting on behalf of Tricar , mentioned afterthe meeting that she wasn’tsure what next steps Tricar might take but appealing Lambton’s decisionto the Ontario Land Tribunal seems “likely.”
“Ultimately , we’llhave tocome upwithastrategy interms ofwhetherwe pursue thisfurther,” shesaid.
Representatives fromthe Lambton Federationof Agriculture , Grain Farmersof Ontarioand Lambton Christian Farmers spokeat Wednesday ’scouncilmeeting insupportof Cargill ’s stance beforethevoteonthecity ’sofficialplanamendment.
Federation president Mike Belansaid hewas pleasedwithcounty council ’sdecision.
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Julie Maw , of The Grain Farmersof Ontario, addressed Lambton Countycouncil Wednesday , Sept.2.,2026.(Paul Morden/The Observer)
“Today ’snottheend , byanymeans,” said Julie Mawofthe Grain Farmersof Ontario.
There’ saneedto look “atourag infrastructure”acrosstheprovince“soitcanexistandfunctionincommunities,” shesaid.
“The Cargillgrainterminalhasbeenpartoftheregionsince1927”andfarmersareconcernedforitslong-termviability “ifincompatibleusesareallowedtodevelopimmediatelybesideit,” said Maw , whofarmsin Lambton.
In response to worries thata residentialhighriseatformerrestaurant sitecouldleadtodustandnoise complaintsaboutgrainterminaloperations, Tricarstateditwouldwarnprospectiveresidentsaboutthoseissuesandtakemeasuresduringconstructiontolimittheirimpact.
Thecityhasa“mixed-usewaterfront”and Cargillispartofthat, but“youdecidednottoworkwiththecity”orthedeveloper, Sarn ia Mayor Mike Bradleytold Cargillrepresentativesatthemeeting.
“Cargil lhastriedtoturnthefarmcommunity.. againstthecity,” Bradleysaid.
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