Photo by William Crooks
Ayer’s Cliff town council members discuss community concerns and planning issues during their October meeting.

Ayer’s Cliff Council convenes for monthly public meeting

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Ayer’s Cliff town council met on Oct. 7 in the basement of Saint-Barthélemy Church to address a range of issues, including a petition to change the speed limit on Brown’s Hill, concerns about environmental regulations related to a local heronry, and requests for urban planning variances. Presided over by Mayor Simon Roy, the meeting allowed citizens to voice their concerns while council members debated potential solutions. Roughly 20 residents were in attendance.

Speed limit concerns on Brown’s Hill

A petition from residents requesting a change to the speed limit on Brown’s Hill dominated part of the discussion. Local citizens raised concerns that the current 50 km/h limit was impractical for the rural, hilly area, especially during the winter months when trucks and vehicles need momentum to ascend the incline.

One of the residents behind the petition spoke at length about the difficulties caused by the low speed limit, particularly for agricultural vehicles. “It’s not because we don’t like driving at 50, but going down the hill, we’re on the brakes the whole time,” she said. “In the winter, just to get enough momentum to climb the hill at 50 is often a challenge.”

She further noted that many sections of the road had clear visibility and minimal residential entry points, which made the 50 km/h limit seem unnecessary. “There is no danger, no hidden entrances. It makes no sense to have it at 50,” she explained. According to her, the speed limit had previously been 80 km/h, and residents believe that 70 km/h would be a more suitable compromise.

Mayor Roy acknowledged the petition and assured attendees that the council would refer the issue to the administrative team and the Ministry of Transport for further evaluation. “We’ll make sure to verify the reasoning behind the current limit and see if adjustments can be made,” he said, emphasizing that such decisions require careful assessment of safety and practicality.

Environmental regulations and the heronry

Environmental protections near wetland areas, particularly around the heronry near the Ripplecove Hotel, also featured in the meeting’s discussions. Under stringent provincial rules, development or construction in sensitive zones, such as wetlands, is heavily regulated. These rules are intended to protect the habitat of species like herons. A special consultation meeting was held on the issue Sept. 23.

A resident asked if future councils could revisit regulations that were seen as too restrictive. Mayor Roy explained that the town’s hands were largely tied by provincial and regional regulations, particularly those set by the Quebec government and the MRC. “It’s not us who woke up one morning and decided to impose heronry protections,” said Mayor Roy. “The government of Quebec has established these norms, which many find overly strict.”

Roy further noted that the council had consulted with residents on the issue and had no plans to impose additional regulations at this time. “The response we got was pretty clear: for now, we’ll stick to lighter measures, but if they ever want more, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” he added.

The issue underscores ongoing tension between the town’s desire to manage growth and development while adhering to strict environmental guidelines. Mayor Roy remarked that any changes in the future would depend on broader government directives, not municipal decisions alone.

Urban planning requests and variances

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to urban planning requests, particularly minor variances sought by property owners. The issue sparked an extended discussion, especially regarding modifications to structures like propane tanks and carports.

One notable case involved a request from a resident on Ripple Cove Road. The resident had previously committed to installing a vegetated roof as part of their property development. However, due to structural concerns, the resident proposed increasing the vegetated area at ground level as compensation.

Council members considered the proposal reasonable. “The vegetated roof wasn’t structurally feasible, but we think planting more at ground level still meets the spirit of what was intended,” one councillor said. The compromise was seen as environmentally beneficial while accommodating the practical limitations faced by the property owner.

However, not all urban planning requests were met without contention. A propane tank installed on a property without prior approval sparked criticism from residents. One attendee voiced their frustration, stating that the tank blocked their view and was not compliant with existing zoning laws. “They’ve already installed it without permission, and it’s not legal. Other options should have been considered that wouldn’t harm neighbouring properties,” the resident said.

In response, it was debated whether the retroactive approval of such installations undermined the integrity of zoning laws. Although no final decision was made on this specific case during the meeting, council members indicated they would investigate the matter further before issuing a ruling.

Balancing development with regulations

The urban planning discussions highlighted the difficulties faced by the council in balancing development with strict regulatory frameworks. Mayor Roy acknowledged that the town’s options were often limited by regional and provincial authorities. “We’re entering a new mode of governance,” he said. “At a certain point, you have to accept that the government of Quebec is more involved, whether we like it or not.”

This dynamic was particularly evident in the discussions about wetland and heronry protections, where residents were concerned that stringent environmental rules were hindering reasonable development. Mayor Roy pointed out that any construction in these areas requires extensive approvals, often involving engineers and long bureaucratic processes. “It’s not like we can just decide on a whim to build in a wetland area. The regulations are very strict, and it’s a lot to navigate,” he explained.

Despite these challenges, the council remained committed to finding solutions that would balance the needs of residents with regulatory compliance. Mayor Roy reiterated that the town would continue to consult with its administrative team and experts before making decisions on planning requests.

The meeting lasted over two hours and was adjourned shortly after 9 p.m.