A decision on a development proposal for the former Sarnia General Hospital lands has been deferred to allow for public feedback.
Five local businessmen have submitted an agreement of purchase and sale for the Mitton St. site, that would see the city pay the buyers $5.35-million toward various stages of remediation and demolition.
Councillor Mike Kelch says the public has not had the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal.
"They've had lots of opportunity for input, but they haven't had a chance to actually say 'ok, so now I've seen the proposal,' which was just released last week, and have a Q and A," says Kelch.
GFIVE Inc. is proposing a multi-faceted development including residential and commercial components, and possible construction of a new Withdrawal Management Centre proposed by Bluewater Health.
The agreement, from the same five businessmen who were involved in an initial development proposal in 2014 that did not proceed, expires August 1.
"I see this all happening in one meeting. There would be a spokesperson from GFIVE, who would be available to answer questions and whoever is interested can show up at the meeting, ask some questions and when that presentation is over, we vote. It's been done before. I'm not interested in dragging this process out. I'm not interested in forever and a day. We need to make a decision in the time frame that we have."
A public meeting will be held before Sarnia councils next regular meeting July 31.
Staff options to finance the project include borrowing externally, or drawing on reserves and adding 1% to the general tax levy for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
