The president of the Sarnia Lambton Home Builders Association says they need more serviced residential lots to keep up with demand in the city.
Doug Bain told council Monday the city is faced with an urgent problem, a shortage of vacant lands on registered plans.
"Housing starts over the last five years in the city of Sarnia have averaged 141 building permits per year, therefore to meet the provincial policy statement, the municipality needs to maintain a three year supply, or 423 serviced lots," says Bain. "The planning report states that there are 171 vacant lots on registered plans or a 1.2 year supply."
Bain says most of the lots are already held by home builders, so those who've built out their inventory can't purchase city lots because they don't exist.
He says the issue is impeding the city's growth and harming its economy.
"Over the past few years, this shortage has pushed many local builders to sites in neighbouring municipalities despite their preference and the preference of most of their buyers for a location in the city."
Council has directed staff to collaborate with the association and report back on what can be done to address their issues.