RE: 1111-1113-1115…

RE: 1111-1113-1115 Confederation Street
>
​
Lou Longo
Longo Holdings Inc.
519-339-6781
​

Regarding the issuance of the Provincial Planning Statement as a policy under subsection 3(1) of the Planning Act, set to take effect on October 20, 2024, as a planning consultant, I request that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) consider addressing the newly updated policies related to Employment Areas through transitional policies.

I have submitted for a site-specific policy in the City of Sarnia’s Official Plan to allow retail as a permitted use on a portion of their lands, along with an amendment to Zoning By-law 85 of 2002 to permit standalone retail uses on the subject property. Office uses are currently permitted as of right under both the existing Official Plan and Zoning By-law. The current designation of the subject lands in the City of Sarnia Official Plan is Prestige Employment.

With the introduction of new policies, particularly subsection 1(1) of the Planning Act, which no longer recognizes standalone retail and office uses that are not associated with primary permitted uses in Employment Areas, I will not be able to proceeded with the comprehensive development of their lands.

I have owned this site for a long time-- which has been developed in phases. This development proposal represents the third and final phase, crucial for the comprehensive development of the property as well as offering future employment opportunities within the City of Sarnia

A public meeting has been scheduled for September 9, 2024, to discuss the OPA/ZBA. I attach the City planning report and recommendation---for approval--- However, the timeline of obtaining all approvals before October 20, 2024 is a concern This is due to the fact that the County of Lambton, as the approval authority for Official Plan Amendments, will still need to review the amendment, and a Site Plan application is also required to facilitate the proposed development. Although we are actively working on the Site Plan application to file it concurrently, the recent legislative changes raise concerns about whether the timing will align with the necessary approvals.

I ask that fair transitional measures for areas and planning matters impacted by the new Areas of Employment regulations could be to permit the processing and approval of planning and development applications submitted before October 20, 2024. This would enable the resolution of any planning and development applications that are currently pending and allow these developments to proceed as intended.

Thanks for your time

Lou Longo
519-339-6782