A Sarnia councillor thinks consideration should be given to severing the former SCITS property for affordable housing.
Mike Stark would like to see Lambton County pursue that possibility with the board of education.
He told Monday's city council meeting that severing 275 Wellington Street could pave the way for affordable housing on the property's southern end.
"We are in far greater need of affordable housing opportunities and this certainly will force the issue and that's what I'm looking for," said Stark.
While maintaining its interest in the site, council decided to forward the matter to the county.
Councillor Dave Boushy agreed with the direction.
"This subject went to Lambton County Council before, but to my knowledge, as far as I remember, it never went to the general memberships outside," said Boushy. "It was always in an in-camera and committee, so, it would be worth while to put it out there and see what everybody thinks."
Former SCITS high school. September 2017. (Photo from Google Maps)
Sarnia Chief Administrative Officer Chris Carter said the property has a lot of potential.
"This property should be considered a hub," said Carter. "There should be multiple, or potentially multiple stakeholders, community groups, that could be involved on this site. This could be something that is a win for all levels of community hubs, whether it's tiny homes, whether it's affordable housing, whether it's senior living."
Lambton County Chief Administrative Officer Ron Van Horne told city council last November the property was being considered for social housing.
The Lambton Kent District School Board declared the property surplus in August 2019.
In 2016, Vision Nursing and Rest Home expressed interest in transforming the former high school into a condominium development.
The Sarnia Heritage Committee also recommended designating the building under the Ontario Heritage Act to ensure its conservation.