About the Program
The City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Access to Land Program makes under-utilized, surplus City-owned properties available for purchase by developers who commit to delivering new housing within a defined timeline.
This program supports the City’s objectives to increase housing supply, encourage infill residential development, and leverage surplus municipal lands. It is one way that the City can directly influence the amount, price, type, and timing of new housing units added to the overall housing supply.
Process
Periodically, City staff will recommend that Council declare certain properties identified for this program as surplus. Once a property is declared surplus, it will be appraised to determine market value. The City will then issue a Call for Submissions.
Prospective buyers of a property must submit a proposal that includes:
- Development experience and capacity: Relevant experience on similar projects and professional qualifications. Proof of financial capacity may also be required.
- Proposed Development Plan: Including major work components, development approach, the number of new residential units, and any additional building design features (such as barrier-free units, green or innovative design).
- Development Timeline: A phased schedule with key milestones and requirements for each phase of development.
- Affordability Considerations: The number of units that will be guaranteed affordable for 20+ years, or how the proposal exceeds the City’s affordability expectations. While optional, proposals demonstrating a commitment to affordable housing will score more favourably.
- Offer Amount: The proposed purchase price for the property.
Proposals will be evaluated using a scoring matrix. The City may prioritize submissions that include affordable housing, family-sized units, sustainable building features, or other community priority elements.
Sale of the Land
All sales of City-owned surplus land will be subject to a public hearing and approval by Council and follow the process as set out in the City’s Surplus Property By-law, 2022-142. Once the sale is approved, the City and the successful proponent will sign a detailed sales agreement with conditions/timelines on development. The successful proponent will be responsible for commencing and completing construction within the agreed-upon timeframe outlined in the sales agreement.
The sales agreement will include a buy-back clause to ensure the land is used for its intended purpose. The City reserves the right to initiate a buy-back process if:
- the applicant fails to provide housing as specified in their proposal;
- the applicant ceases to operate;
- the applicant defaults on any loan secured on the property;
- the applicant attempts to transfer the property to another entity prior to developing housing; or
- any other circumstance specified in the sales agreement.
Available Properties
The City periodically identifies surplus lands suitable for residential development for the Access to Land Program. Active opportunities will be posted on this page and advertised on Realtor.ca and other real estate platforms.
Properties vary in size, zoning, and development potential. Review each listing below for site-specific details, including zoning information, parcel descriptions, planning guidelines, and submission requirements.
Additional properties are expected to be added to this program periodically over the next two years. To be notified of when additional properties are listed, please contact planning@cityssm.on.ca.
Property 1: 89/0/0 Hudson Street
Site Overview
This is a group of three adjacent properties located at Hudson Street and Queen Street West. Zoning split:
- R4 – Medium Density Residential (two parcels at 0 and 0 Hudson Street)
- C1- Traditional Commercial (89 Hudson Street)
The R4 parcels have been vacant for many years, while the C1 parcel formerly contained a bar/hotel that was demolished in 2019.
The properties are located in Precinct 1 of the Housing Community Improvement Project Area, as such both affordable and market-rate grants may be available for eligible residential developments. See the Housing CIP website for more details.
Site Characteristics Table for 89,0 and 0 Hudson Street
Address | Lot Area (ha) | Lot Area (ac) | Current use | OP Designation | Zoning |
89, 0 and 0 Hudson Street | ~0.84 | ~2.08 | Vacant | Residential | R4 (0,0 Hudson St.) C1 (89 Hudson St.) |
Location Map for 89, 0, and 0 Hudson Street
Services and Constraints
- Servicing is available at Queen Street West and Hudson Street.
- A natural gas line crossing the site; relocation and/or an easement may be required. To be confirmed by the successful proponent with the utility.
- Should a residential use be proposed on the C1-zoned property (89 Hudson Street), a Record of Site Condition (RSC) will be required.
- Vehicle access is limited to Queen Street West or Hudson Street (Portage Street to the south is a private road).
Surrounding Land Uses
- North: Queen Street West
- East: Hudson Street
- West: The abutting properties to the west contain a 3-storey apartment building (441 Queen Street West) and a former assembly hall/shelter facility (453 Queen Street West).
- South: Portage Street (private road)
Residential Development Potential
The R4-zoned parcels are considered to have high residential development potential and are zoned for medium-density development. This could include a multi-storey apartment building. The Zoning By-law does not set a hard cap on residential unit count or number of storeys, however, proposals will need to adhere to applicable standards (setbacks, lot coverage, parking, landscaping) and servicing capacity.
The C1-zoned on 89 Hudson offers an opportunity for a mixed-used development that integrates commercial on the site. If residential uses are proposed on 89 Hudson, a Record of Site Condition (RSC) will be required due to the change to a more sensitive land use.
Note: Pre‑consultation with the Planning Department is encouraged to confirm applicable standards, studies, and approvals that may be necessary (such as site plan control, etc.).
Call for Submissions
- The target issuance for the Call for Submissions is early 2026. The Call will be posted on this website and will also be advertised through Realtor.ca.
- To be notified of when this Call for Submissions is issued, please contact planning@cityssm.on.ca.
Property 2: 84-94 Park Street
Site Overview
This is a group of three adjacent properties located at Park Street and Market Street in the City’s east end. On September 2, 2025, Council passed a by-law (2025-134) to deem these lots as not registered for purposes of subdivision control, pursuant to section 50(4) of the Planning Act. As such, these lots will be consolidated and sold as a single property.
The properties are zoned R2 – Gentle Density Residential Zone and are vacant.
The properties are located in Precinct 3 of the Housing Community Improvement Project Area, as such grants for affordable may be available for eligible residential developments. See the Housing CIP website for more details.
Site Characteristics Table for 84-94 Park Street
Address | Lot Area (ha) | Lot Area (ac) | Current use | OP Designation | Zoning |
84-94 Park Street | ~0.33 | ~0.82 | Vacant | Residential | R2 – Gentle Density Residential |
Location Map for 84-94 Park Street
Services and Constraints
The properties are not serviced. The successful proponent will be responsible for tying into the servicing on Park Street.
Surrounding Land Uses
- North and West: Gentle Density Residential
- East: A municipally owned park with a playground (Littner Park)
- South: Park Street
Residential Development Potential
This site is considered to have residential development potential for a low to medium density development, which could include a two-storey apartment building, townhouses, or other similar structures. The Zoning By-law does not set a hard cap on residential unit count; however, proposals will need to adhere to applicable standards (setbacks, maximum number of storeys, lot coverage, parking, landscaping) and servicing capacity.
Note: Pre‑consultation with the Planning Department is encouraged to confirm applicable standards and approvals that may be necessary (such as site plan control, etc.).
Call for Submissions
- The target issuance for the Call for Submissions is early 2026. The Call will be posted on this website and will also be advertised through Realtor.ca.
- To be notified of when this Call for Submissions is issued, please contact planning@cityssm.on.ca.
Property 3: 72 Corey Avenue
Site Overview
This is a single lot on Corey Avenue at Wiber Street. On November 3, 2025, Council passed a by-law (2025-154) to rezone this property from Parks and Recreation to R2-Gentle Density Residential Zone, to allow for residential development. This property is currently vacant.
This property is located in Precinct 3 of the Housing Community Improvement Project Area, as such grants for affordable may be available for eligible residential developments. See the Housing CIP website for more details.
Site Characteristics Table for 72 Corey Avenue
Address | Lot Area (ha) | Lot Area (ac) | Current use | OP Designation | Zoning |
72 Corey Avenue | ~0.08 | ~0.21 | Vacant | Residential | R2 – Gentle Density Residential |
Services and Constraints
The property is not serviced. The successful proponent will be responsible for tying into the servicing on Corey Avenue.
Surrounding Land Uses
- West and East: Gentle Density Residential
- North: A natural area owned by the Ministry of Transportation and zoned Parks and Recreation.
- South: Corey Avenue
Residential Development Potential
This property is typical in size for the neighbourhood and is considered to have residential development potential for a low density development. This could include a single detached dwelling or a semi-detached/duplex. The Zoning By-law does not set a hard cap on residential unit count; however, proposals will need to adhere to applicable standards (setbacks, maximum number of storeys, lot coverage, parking, landscaping) and servicing capacity.
Note: Pre‑consultation with the Planning Department is encouraged to confirm applicable standards and approvals that may be necessary (such as site plan control, etc.).
Call for Submissions
- The target issuance for the Call for Submissions is early 2026. The Call will be posted on this website and will also be advertised through Realtor.ca.
- To be notified of when this Call for Submissions is issued, please contact planning@cityssm.on.ca.