Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey says his office hasn't heard any updates regarding Cargill's application for a Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) to prohibit sensitive land uses near its grain terminal on Exmouth Street.
If the MZO is approved, it could hinder plans for a highrise build at the former Stokes By the Bay property.
Bailey said he's tried to stay neutral on the matter.
"I've tried to point out the importance of the agricultural community, but weighing that with the residential... so we might have to have a meeting of the minds," he said. "Maybe the residential people can scale back their project. It's probably not a good fit, these condo towers with the dust and that."
Bailey said he'll bring up the topic when speaking with the minister of municipal affairs and housing next week.
The local politician was the guest speaker during the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce's annual Breakfast with MPP Bob Bailey event, held at Four Points by Sheraton in Point Edward, on Thursday. The event was initially scheduled to take place on January 15 but was rescheduled because of a winter storm.
During his address, Bailey highlighted ongoing projects such as the HART Hub, renovations at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart (CEE) Hospital, the Wellington Street expansion project, water main upgrades in Petrolia, and construction of a new Highway 40 overpass.
He also hinted at "more to come," potentially in the energy and technology sectors.
Bailey said artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being investigated for this area, specifically involving data storage.
"I think we need that here. It'd be great for jobs," he said.
While speaking with local media, Bailey said he was recently approached about the possible AI project and helped advance those discussions with the minister of energy and economic development.
"They don't want money. They're one of the few people who come to see me that said, we've got the financing, we just need the okay," Bailey said. "The big key, they need to be able to access the grid. They need a minimum of 100 megawatts of power."
Bailey said if plans were to move forward, it could spur energy-related projects forward, such as a possible natural gas power plant at the former Lambton Generating Station site in St. Clair Township.
Bailey also expressed hope for potential future pipeline projects in Sarnia-Lambton and the paused whisky distillery development in St. Clair Township. Diageo paused plans indefinitely for the site in 2024.
"I don't think that's done yet either," he said, noting recent conversations with the minister of economic development.
"He had told me that Diageo wasn't prepared to release that 600 acres ... that tells me, maybe there's hope yet," Bailey said.
Diageo recently reached an agreement with the Ford government to invest nearly $23 million. Key elements of the deal did not include Sarnia-Lambton, but $1 million was set aside for Amherstburg.
