The woodland project explained

The information evening on draft proposal 215, which affects the wooded area in Châteauguay and Léry, attracted some 120 people on Wednesday. The videoconference presented by the MRC de Roussillon, the construction manager of the proposed changes, lasted almost three hours. One hour was dedicated to the presentation and two others were for questions. When a participant asked how long the session would last, Pierre Guillot-Hurtubise, the host of the conference from a firm by the name of National responded, “We will answer each and every question. It will last as long as that takes.” “It is the first step in the consultation to help people make an informed opinion,” Mr. Guillot-Hurtubise stated. The ball is now in citizens’ and organizations’ camp. They have been invited to convey their opinions and reflections on the subject to the MRC. Three consultation evenings are planned for November recalled Christian Ouellette, Mayor of Delson and Prefect of the MRC de Roussillon. “The goal of draft proposal 215 is to enhance protection of the green corridor as well as our legal position,” the Prefect indicated. The proposed changes are related to a $50M lawsuit that was filed by the owners who allege that the current regulations that affect their lands are tantamount to “veiled expropriation”. Private Lots Philippe Meunier, the Director of Land Planning at the MRC de Roussillon specified that draft regulation 215 only targeted a wooded area that belongs to private owners. The undivided area represents 25% of the Châteauguay-Léry green corridor. He stated that everything else would remain in conservation. With an area of 227 hectares, the area belonging to private owners is currently identified as “sustainable conservation.” The current regulation already permits low-density construction. Draft regulation 215 provides for an increase in density by limiting deforestation to 30% of the space and requiring the maintenance of conservation areas. Among others, it requires sustainable planning, maintaining the forest cover and protecting threatened plant species, shorelines and wetlands as much as possible, said Jean-François Vachon, a consultant in land planning. The cities could ask for expert environmental reports for each project. The change would open the door to building a number of dwellings between 100 and 1400 at most. It is impossible to provide the exact number because everything will depend on the regulations that the affected cities of Châteauguay and Léry will decide to apply, Mr. Vachon specified. “The cities will be able to choose their approach for each lot. They can impose additional provisions at their discretion,” he underscored. “The MRC’s master plan establishes the ground rules, but cities can go even further.” What’s next? Those interested can share their point of view with the MRC either verbally or in writing. Consultation sessions are planned for the 17, 18 and 19 of November. Participants must sign up before November 9th at roussillon.ca/215. Wednesday’s videoconference is available at that address, as is all of the documentation relevant to the file. People’s opinions will also be published there. Once the consultation has finished, a report will be submitted to the mayors of the MRC de Roussillon. The final regulation will be adopted thereafter. The CMM and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will need to approve it before it enters into force. (Translation Amanda Bennett)