Heather Wright/The Independent

Tricar says it is working with Cargill Grains hoping to ease concerns about the company’s 14-storey, 105 unit apartment near the Sarnia Harbour.

In late 2025, Cargill asked Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs to use a Ministerial Zoning Order to override plans for housing developments in the area, including the Tricar tower. Cargill’s letter to the minister said the terminal handles 35 per cent of Ontario’s export grain and is “critical” to the agricultural industry, trade and economy.

Noise, dust, odour and vibrations from Cargill’s operation would conflict with proposed residential development, the letter added.

Several Lambton communities, including St. Clair and Plympton-Wyoming, have backed the move to block development saying Cargill is important to local farmers.

Monday, Tricar officials told Sarnia council they have been working with Cargill hoping to ease their concerns.

“Everyone here recognizes the importance of the harbor and port operations, existing rail infrastructure, existing industrial and employment uses, and the economic importance of the Cargill facility and its long-term employment area viability,” said Katelyn Crowley, associate planner at Zelinka Priamo representing Tricar.

“We do not wish to impact or constrain Cargill’s operation in any way, and we do believe that the application and staff recommendation put forward emphasize that intent is coexistence and compatibility.”

Tricar agreed the area should have a special designation which would require Tricar to explain the noise and dust issues which could be problematic.

The company has also started a dust impact study to see what sort of issues the residents would have.

“We have been in discussions with Cargill, and those conversations are still ongoing. So, while I don’t have a signed agreement for you here today, that would be the intent, is we would like a continued relationship with them in order to support their future, the future use of their property and viability of their continued operation,” said Crowley.

Some councillors, including City Councillor Anne Marie Gillis still has reservations about the project saying she’s “not 100 per cent sure that it’s a wise thing to put this many people in 100 meters of a working port.”

Former restauranteur Michelle Stokely and the owner of Patty Flaherty’s tried to reassure council the dust and noise would not be a problem, saying they had never experienced issues on their patios over the years.

But Councillor Terry Burrell still has concerns. “It’s going to hurt our long-term ability to develop our port into an stronger industrial area for various things, not just grain,” he said.

Gillis agreed. “When you have apartments or hotels or whatever come into a working port area; the working port is always the one that suffers the results of it.”

Burrell and Gillis voted against the development.

The proposal now goes to Lambton County for approval.

If it clears that hurdle, the Minister of Municipal Affairs could still come in and halt the project.