Sarnia farmer Mark Lumley calls it the “big green blob.”<\/p>\n
Published May 13, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 7\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
![\"Sarnia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0513-so-input.so_-e1778680790558.jpg\")
Sarnia planning manager Eric Hyatt speaks at a public input meeting on the city’s draft zoning bylaw May 11, 2026. (Tyler Kula\/ The Observer)Article content<\/p>\n
Sarnia farmer Mark Lumley calls it the \u201cbig green blob.\u201d<\/p>\n
Advertisement 2<\/p>\n
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
The \u201cnatural environment\u201d zone in Sarnia\u2019s latest zoning bylaw draft is drawing attention from people concerned about its implications for their property rights.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
Recommended Videos<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley called a special meeting of council<\/a> Monday to hear concerns.<\/p>\n About 15 people offered input on the subject, and other matters outlined in the zoning document that\u2019s been in the works since shortly after Sarnia approved its official plan in 2022.<\/p>\n What is the \u2018big green blob?\u2019<\/p>\n Sarnia\u2019s zoning bylaw draft<\/a> includes a series of maps showing zoning for all sectors of the city, including the new natural environment zone.<\/p>\n The zone, planning manager Eric Hyatt said, uses St. Clair Region Conservation Authority mapping data<\/a> that flags areas where flooding and other natural hazards may be present, and requires conservation authority evaluation before the city grants building approvals.<\/p>\n The natural environment zone, or blob, goes a step further by also identifying natural features like significant woodlands and wetlands, as identified in city and County of Lambton official plans.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Construction in those areas can happen, and has happened before<\/a>, but requires environmental impact studies and site-specific exemptions for development to go ahead, Hyatt said.<\/p>\n Why create the natural environment zone?<\/p>\n Creating the zone isn\u2019t actually adding anything new, Hyatt said.<\/p>\n Making it part of the new zoning bylaw is about letting landowners interested in building in hazard and natural heritage zones know \u201cthere may be some limitations here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n To obtain a building permit, for natural heritage areas, the bylaw requires an environmental impact study and application to the city. Consultation with the conservation authority is needed for natural hazard lands where the conservation authority is in charge.<\/p>\n Chris Carter, the city\u2019s chief administrator, said it\u2019s so people don\u2019t come asking for building permits, only to be surprised other steps are involved.<\/p>\n \u201cAll we\u2019re trying to do is take (the conservation authority) map and combine it with our map, so when someone comes in they have a complete document,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Lumley, who farms off Confederation Line, in a section of the blob, said he\u2019s built on his land there before without objection from the conservation authority.<\/p>\n He\u2019s worried the city flagging the potential for conservation authority concern, could result in increased scrutiny.<\/p>\n The conservation area maps already exist for people to consult if they\u2019re in a flood plain or other natural hazard area, he said.<\/p>\n When it comes to the green blob, Sarnia should \u201cget rid of it and allow the other higher tier . . . levels of government to do their work.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin Forbes, who also farms in a section of the natural environment zone, said he\u2019s concerned about how the new zoning might restrict his operation.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does concern me, changing the zoning of my property, that it has the potential to impact the operation of my farm in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mike Belan and Brian Eves, with the Lambton Federation of Agriculture, expressed similar concerns about unforeseen impacts.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n They noted Sarnia is home to 2,140 farms, employing about 7,400 people.<\/p>\n Sarnia resident Lou Longo said the new zoning adds to the area on his 0.8-hectare property where he needs studies and permission to build.<\/p>\n \u201cThis seems like expropriation without compensation \u2014 taking away all my property rights and not allowing me to do anything on my lot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n There are already other checks in place, he said, arguing the natural environment zone is overreach.<\/p>\n Are there other concerns?<\/p>\n Previously flagged issues like allowing more flexibility for commercial development<\/a> in city sectors like south of Confederation Street and Confederation Line have been addressed, and the changes city staff have made drew praise from Longo and others.<\/p>\n A new supportive housing definition<\/a> and specifications for parking \u2014 a minimum of two spaces, plus 0.5 spaces per unit \u2014 drew some comments about the need for more specificity about types of supportive housing, and it\u2019s potential to go almost anywhere in the city.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There were also concerns expressed from nuSarnia Foundation spokesperson Douglas Gray that the rules around lot frontages for triplexes and fourplexes, parking minimums for affordable housing, and other restrictions for additional residential units, are all too strict to help Sarnia achieve its intensification and infill goals, that are part of the official plan.<\/p>\n Sarnia approved its official plan in 2022<\/a> and the zoning bylaw that implements the official plan has gone through four drafts until now, adjusting for provincial rule changes and public feedback.<\/p>\n Changes include adding more flexibility for housing options, relaxing parking requirements, and eliminating certain requirements to help spur development, Hyatt said.<\/p>\n What the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is saying<\/p>\n Asked how current the conservation authority\u2019s mapping data is, spokesperson Donna Blue said it\u2019s reviewed annually, and revised as needed by provincial regulation.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cThe SCRCA mapping was updated in 2024 to reduce the regulated setback form provincially significant wetlands to 30 metres from the previous 120 meters, based on the updates from the provincial government with respect to Ontario Regulation 41\/24,\u201d she emailed.<\/p>\n The last major updates to the regulated area were in 2006, 2009 and 2011, she said.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n A city staff report incorporating public feedback is expected to come to council for it\u2019s next regular meeting May 25, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said.<\/p>\n Council may decide then to approve the bylaw, or call for more revisions.<\/p>\n A date also hasn\u2019t been set yet for a public meeting to discuss previously announced official plan changes, that need to be passed by council before the zoning bylaw can be implemented.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0513-so-input3-e1778619223706.jpg\")
The overall zoning map for the City of Sarnia, as per its current zoning bylaw draft. Areas in green are part of a natural environment zone. (Screenshot)So what\u2019s the problem?<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0513-so-input2.so_.jpg\")
A public input meeting on Sarnia\u2019s draft zoning bylaw was held in council chambers May 11, 2026. (Tyler Kula\/ The Observer) jpg, SO, apsmcHow we got here<\/p>\n