Lambton County Blocks Apartment Tower Near Cargill Grain Terminal

Lambton County council has rejected a proposal for a 14-storey apartment tower next to Cargill's Sarnia grain terminal, citing concerns over mixed land usage. The decision overturns an earlier approval by the city of Sarnia, which had redesignated the lands at 485 Harbour Rd. and amended its official plan to permit mixed-use development.

The project, proposed by Tricar Properties, would have featured 105 residential units and 173 parking spaces. However, Cargill expressed concerns about the potential impact on grain exports from Ontario farmers, who rely on the Sarnia terminal for quick delivery to market.

Lambton Federation of Agriculture president Mike Belan said the rejection of the proposal helps ensure long-term certainty for farmers, who would face increased trucking and input costs if they were forced to use a different port.