April 19, 2023 at 6:50 am
Paddy Flaherty’s Irish Pub is expanding its outdoor presence this summer.
On Monday, Sarnia City Council unanimously approved the restaurant’s request to operate a food truck at the Seaway Road site.
Owner Scott Dagie said it will park on the city-owned portion of the front lawn in front of the restaurant.
It will only operate during the busiest time of the year, from June to September, when events are held at Centennial Park, he said.
Councilor Anne Marie Gillis said it provided another opportunity for people to enjoy Sarnia’s waterfront.
“I think it’s very timely, especially after the pandemic, because we still have a lot of people who are very, very, cautious about going indoors, but they want to get out and about,” Gillis said.
The food truck will offer a selection of items from the existing menu.
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A request for the city to build bicycle and tricycle storage sheds at the Strangway Center has been granted.
Bluewater Cycling Organization spokesman Kendel Ross said their two promoters, Youth Spokes and Cycling Without Age, were in high demand but risked being canceled if there wasn’t enough space to store the bikes.
Crews were directed to develop a protocol to secure a 200-square-foot storage facility on a cement pad behind the Strangway Center.
Ross estimates the shed could cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
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Council has accepted tenders for improvements to the Cole Drain.
Clarke Construction Inc. will carry out the work for approximately $2.1 million.
Additional funding of over $86,000 was required for on-site inspection work and over $16,000 for monitoring, sampling, and analysis requirements.
Lawmakers have expressed concern about the increased costs.
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A contract to build the new Clearwater Transit Station has been awarded.
The new terminal, which can accommodate eight buses, is expected to begin construction this summer.
The Council accepted the lowest bid submitted by Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozing Limited. The price was US$2,955,000.
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Work continues on the Tecumseh Park Improvement Project.
The City Council has accepted a $1.1 million bid from Birnam Excavating Ltd. for various projects at South Sarnia Park near Russell Street.
New pathways will be constructed and a new concrete deck will be built around the swimming pool at the Cox Youth Centre.
New park furniture will be purchased this year, and plans are also in place to replace fences around aquatic features and address drainage issues throughout the park.
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A Case Management Conference (CMC) is scheduled for May 5, 2023 regarding the appeal of the New Sarnia Official Plan.
The CMC will be held prior to the hearing to provide additional information to members of the Ontario Land Court.
When Lambton County returned the document in December, settlement boundary extensions were removed for the lands south of Lakeshore Road, east of Brigden Road, and west of Waterworks Road in Bright’s Grove.
Following a recommendation at its March 13 meeting, the City Council directed staff to apply for a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) order to expand the boundary on Monday.
The city council wants to wait for the Lambton County Council to take a formal position on county staff’s decision to cancel the Bright’s Grove expansion.
On April 5, the County Council announced that it did not support the demolition.
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Sarnia City Council has decided to continue to allow virtual participation in its meetings.
Since in-person participation resumed in May 2022, most meetings have used the electronic participation option.
The Council agrees with staff that it increases opportunities for flexible and inclusive participation, especially for delegations and external speakers.