JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1510 West

A first step in what appears will be a major residential construction project in Pierrefonds-Roxboro has raised concerns, as more than the permitted number of trees has been felled on the lot.

A number of trees on a property co-owned by real estate development company Groupe Boda, just off Gouin Boulevard bordering Anse a l’Orme Nature Park were felled last month. Although the owners had permission to cut 32 trees, including 17 ash trees, several more were removed.

“We cannot estimate the number of exceeding felled trees as we are conducting the investigation,” said Marie-Pier Cloutier, a spokesperson for the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough.

This has triggered concerns over the environmental impact a major construction on the site could have on the surrounding area and has sparked residents to ask questions.

According to Groupe Boda’s website, a planned residential project next to the nature park will include 666 housing units, including single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums. The project has not been given final approval, according to borough officials.

The group, however, had received permits from the borough to fell 32 trees on the property, Cloutier said, adding that the group exceeded the 32-tree limit. The borough is investigating the situation and will issue a fine to the developer.

“As of now, there is no permit given to build anything,” Cloutier told The 1510 West. “There are no projects on the table.”

Groupe Boda did not respond to a request for comment.

The company’s website does not provide a timeline for the project.

Gilles Paquin, a former resident of Pierrefonds, was visiting last month when he saw what he referred to as a “massacre” of the forested area next to the park.

Once a member of the group Sauvons l’Anse-à-l’Orme, Paquin said that residential developments on the property would most likely intrude on wetlands that are sprawled alongside the Rivière à l’Orme.

Wetlands are important for supporting high levels of biodiversity and storing carbon, but are also essential ecosystems for flood prevention, and their protection is regulated by provincial authorities.

Paquin explained that the wetlands in the park absorb surface runoff in an area that is both close to sea level and is located right next to a large body of water – the Lake of Two Mountains.

In an email to The 1510 West, Cloutier addressed the concern about wetland protection: “Wetland regulations must be respected and taken into consideration in any proposed development project, no matter the developer.”

However, Paquin said that he “didn’t feel heard at all” when he brought the issue to the borough and to the City of Montreal earlier this month.

Those concerned about the development will wait for the project to be proposed to the borough before taking serious action, Paquin explained.

“We won’t begin a petition for the moment because the town told us there is no permit to build,” he said, adding that he will organize a petition should the residential development go forward.