Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

A proposed eight-storey residential development in Gatineau’s Aylmer district has become a
flashpoint for debate over urban planning, community consultation, and the pace of
densification. At the centre of the controversy is 8 chemin Lattion, a modest residential street
where residents say the scale and proximity of the planned structure would fundamentally alter
their neighbourhood.

Angie Bonenfant, a longtime Aylmer resident, has emerged as the voice of local opposition.
Months before a May 13 municipal council meeting, she launched a petition that has since
collected over 1,000 signatures. The petition reflects growing concern about the compatibility of
the proposed development with existing infrastructure and the quiet character of the area. The
site, located near a cycling path and a marina, currently offers mature tree cover and single-
family homes. “This is not a protest against development,” Bonenfant said. “It’s a demand for
intelligent development, something that fits.”

Residents argue that the proposed structure, set directly behind existing homes, would
significantly intrude on privacy while placing additional strain on already limited public
infrastructure. Parking is not permitted on rue Lattion due to its narrow width, and neighbours
say the increase in traffic, noise from upper-storey balconies, and shadowing on backyards and
pools would alter the residential character of the street. Many are urging the city to consider a
scaled-down, four-storey alternative that they believe would better reflect the neighbourhood’s
capacity and scale.

Cargo, the developer behind the project, maintains that it is acting in full accordance with
Gatineau’s zoning and long-term urban plan. The land lies within a Transit-Oriented
Development (TOD) sector, identified by the city as an area for increased density aligned with
future public transit expansions, including a proposed tramway. The company has said it is
working to integrate public feedback and has adjusted plans to address concerns related to
setbacks, visitor parking, and the visual impact of the building. It also points to environmental
goals, including a projected 40 per cent increase in energy efficiency and a 75 per cent
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to a standard building.

The most recent official update from the city came on September 17, 2024, when the Comité
sur les demandes de démolition (CDD) unanimously approved the demolition of the existing
two-storey home at 8 chemin Lattion. That approval was conditional on the granting of any
required minor variances by city council and the simultaneous issuance of both a demolition
certificate and a construction permit. The city confirmed that it reviewed and considered public
objections—along with the petition—before making its decision. The project must still go before
the Comité consultatif d’urbanisme (CCU) and may return to council if further variances are
needed.​

Bonenfant, however, says those steps do not go far enough. She and others have asked the city
for a full re-examination of the project and clearer communication at every step. They want
assurances on who would be responsible for damages caused by construction, and what
compensation—if any—would be available for property value depreciation. “A project of this size
comes with real risks,” she said. “Cracked foundations. Lost value. Lost sunlight. It changes how
people live.”

A 2020 council record shows that the original proposal submitted for the site involved three
buildings totaling 45 units—roughly half the density now being proposed. Bonenfant said she
and other residents have struggled to find information on who voted for the zoning change that
allowed for the current plan. She described the city’s communication as insufficient and opaque,
and called for greater transparency in how development projects are approved and monitored.

Residents have also raised environmental concerns. The development would require the
removal of mature trees, which residents fear could destabilize the soil and increase urban heat
effects. The tranquil walking paths and green spaces near the marina, they argue, would be
irreversibly altered. “It’s not just about what goes up,” Bonenfant said. “It’s about what gets lost.”
Cargo held a public information session in March and has said it will continue to meet with
residents. A follow-up meeting was recently scheduled at the company’s Chelsea office. The
firm also noted that 10 per cent of the proposed units will be affordable, and eight will be
accessible for individuals with reduced mobility. It has not ruled out further development on
adjacent lots it has acquired nearby.

While the zoning permits the proposed height, Bonenfant argues that policy alone cannot justify
what she sees as a poor fit for the area. “We’re talking about a street that was never designed
to handle this kind of scale,” she said. “There’s a point at which zoning compliance becomes a
technicality, not a justification.” For her, the issue raises broader questions about Gatineau’s
approach to development and civic engagement. “This is not just chemin Lattion’s fight,” she
said. “This is about what kind of city we want to live in. Do residents have a say, or are we
simply told what’s going to happen to our neighbourhoods?”

Photo: Residents of chemin Lattion say the proposed eight-storey building is too large for their
low-density street and are calling for a scaled-down alternative that better respects the
character and infrastructure of their neighbourhood. (TF) Photo: Tashi Farmilo