Should Modeland Road remain a corridor connecting the city’s north and south ends or become a hub for development?

City politicians will be forced to tackle this question when two proposals for commercial and residential development come before council shortly.

The first proposal calls for 26,000-square feet of commercial space at the northwest corner of Modeland Road and Michigan Avenue. About 150 townhouses and 460 retirement suites are also planned there.

Additional commercial development is being proposed further south on Modeland Road. More than 46,000-square feet of commercial space is being eyed for the southwest corner of Modeland and Berger roads.

Both proposals come at a time when the city is wrapping up a review of its official plan, a document outlining policies for land planning and development in the community.

As Modeland Road is primarily considered a residential area, council will have to address the possible expansion of commercial development with these two proposals, city planner Kevin Edwards said at a special council meeting Monday.

No private access has previously been granted off of Modeload Road, but one of the application calls for three accesses, he noted.

If these developments get approved, Coun. Bev MacDougall said it would be contrary to the official plan.

“I worry what this is going to do in terms of servicing and active transportation,” she added.

Council also heard Monday that the long-awaited expansion of The Rapids Parkway may finally unfold.

Located just west of Modeland Road, The Rapids Parkway will eventually connect with Quinn Drive, providing a second access way in and out of the Walmart commercial area.

“We’re trying to build that extension as soon as possible,” said city engineer Andre Morin, noting it could happen within the next year or two.

Despite these developments, city staff are projecting a decline in population starting in 2021 based on the last three census periods.

The current population has been pegged at 72,366, Edwards noted. However, the city has enough land to accommodate a population of 81,500.

Several council members expressed skepticism in the census population data.

“They base it on no growth in the community,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, noting the Aamjiwnaang population isn’t included in census data.

Coun. Mike Kelch said he is concerned that the official plan may be based on incorrect population projections.

“I just want to trust that really important data is the right data,” he said.

Public open houses on the draft official plan are set for the week of June 2. Council will consider the official plan at its June 30 meeting.

City staff are waiting on further studies before both development proposals come to council.

barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca

BY THE NUMBERS:

890,148 square feet of vacant commercial buildings

81,500 size of population the city has enough land to accommodate

72,366 size of current population

2021 year city’s population is expected to start to decrease

(Source: City of Sarnia)