JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report

A packed public information meeting in St. Lazare last week brought a contentious issue into focus once again – the plan to municipalize a private road, which would allow additional development along the street.

The issues involved are complex and have evolved over decades, sparking debate among residents who live on the street and those who own lots in the area, but have been denied the right to build because the street had not been municipalized.

The issue resurfaced last month, when the town proposed two bylaws that would effectively municipalized the private stretch of Sandmere Street – one of two private roads that remains in the town. The street  is currently a dead-end route that runs east from Côte St. Charles in the Saddlebrook area. The plan would extend the road and link it up with the other section of Sandmere Street, which is already public. The proposal would also finally give the greenlight to owners of land in the area to subdivide their land into smaller residential lots.

Frustrated residents took turns voicing their opposition to the project at the public information last week.

The plan to link the two sections of Sandmere Street would see development allowed in a forested area, said Roger Stehr, a resident of the street.

Like many who are opposed, Stehr said that the forest is a beautiful space that he would like to see conserved.

But what’s more, he is troubled by the fact that the project is moving forward despite the fact that residents voted to block it last year, when a plan was first proposed to change the size of lots along the streets.

At that time, there was an “amazing outpour” of community support to halt the project and preserve the forest, Stehr said. He thought that would have been the last word on the issue.

But for the municipality to “just ignore the vote” a year later, he said, “that bothers me more than anything.”

His frustration was echoed by several concerned residents at the information meeting.

“Last year, the will of the population was clearly expressed,” resident Cesar Inostroza said as he addressed members of council. “Why has the city not taken account of that? Why is the city proceeding with a project that the citizens of St. Lazare don’t want?”

In response, Mayor Geneviève Lachance explained how circumstances have changed over the past year, including the forthcoming obligations that will be imposed by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal for municipalities to densify.

Time to act now

While Lachance said that she understands the frustrations of citizens, she explained that acting now to start this development would be in the best interest of the municipality, the residents and the local environment.

She added that avoiding the issue and hoping that the CMM does not ask for increased density on the street is not a gamble the town is willing to make. 

In addition, Lachance pointed out the proposed plan will limit deforestation of lots to a maximum of 20 per cent, resulting in much of the trees being preserved and developers encouraged to build smaller houses.

“In a time when we are facing a housing crisis, balancing development with environmental conservation is incredibly delicate,” Lachance wrote in an email to The 1019 Report in response to a question. “Striking this balance and making these sometimes difficult decisions is crucial for our city.”

The two bylaws are slated for final adoption at the Aug. 13 council meeting. If passed, they would go into effect in the fall, with housing starts expected to begin shortly thereafter.