Sarnia council rejects motion to look at alternate site for Indwell housing project

Sarnia council discussed a planned 50-unit Indwell supportive housing complex, but neighbours are concerned. CTV’s Brent Lale reports.

Mayor Mike Bradley was the tie-breaking vote on a motion at Sarnia City Council Monday, which asked councillors to look at an alternate site for a five-storey Indwell housing project.

“We’re very disappointed with council’s decision today,” said Chris Beausoleil, a resident who lives near the proposed 50-tenant complex at 333 George Street.

“We were very only simply asking, ‘will you look at alternate sites for what’s planned in our neighborhood?’ We weren’t asking them to stop what they’re doing already.”

The motion brought forward by councillor George Vandenberg called this neighbourhood “unique”.

The motion sparked discussion both for and against.

“I don’t have a problem with the idea of having an alternate location,” said councillor Brian White.

“What I have a problem with, though, is delaying it any further.”

Councillor Terry Burrell threw out the idea of neighbourhood watch, or getting the police involved.

“Often if you start these things right from the beginning their troubles are nipped in the bud,” said Burrell.

Councillor Chrissy McRoberts didn’t see how delaying this any further would help.

“We’re going to meet this challenge over and over,” she said.

“Even if we ask the county or the city or us to pick a site, no one’s going to be happy about. Very disappointed with, council’s decision today. We were very only simply asking, will you look at alternate sites.”

Despite the motion to look for an alternative site being voted down by council, residents in that neighborhood said they aren’t done fighting.

“Next for us would be when Indwell applies to the city with a planning application, and a zoning application, there will be a public process. At that time, we’ll participate,” said Chris Beausoleil.

Beausoleil’s wife, Kelly, was walking her dog by the proposed site Monday and stopped to express her frustration with CTV News.

She said a homeless shelter nearby caused issues for nearby residents for nearly two decades.

“We’ve had instances of open drug use, we’ve had threats, we’ve had assaults with people having sex in our yards,” said Kelly O’Connor-Beausoleil.

“It’s just been it’s been, pardon my language, a (expletive) shows for 18 years. Finally, about a year and a half ago, the shelter that’s like a block away from this project went drug free. And it’s been quiet. It’s been great.”

She believes the neighbourhood will crumble if an Indwell building is erected.

“You put this here, it’s done,” she added.

“It’s absolutely done. That’s why we’re fighting it. It’s just the wrong place.”

To meet the concerns of some of the neighbours, councillor Bill Dennis put forward a motion to ask staff to develop a neighborhood safety plan around a future Indwell building.

That motion was approved unanimously.