Deux-Montagnes City Council Meeting Tackles Housing Projects, Transparency, and Public Concerns
Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter
The Deux-Montagnes municipal council meeting drew numerous citizens to the Town Hall on Thursday evening, as key issues such as housing projects, municipal transparency, and flood preparedness dominated discussions.
Housing Projects Stir Citizen Concerns
The most heated topic of the evening revolved around new apartment and condo developments, particularly on 15th Avenue. Citizens expressed surprise and frustration over the size and scope of the project, with several saying they were not adequately informed.
Mayor Denis Martin acknowledged the challenges of unanimous agreement on urbanization projects, stating, “There will never be unanimous agreement for projects like these.” He highlighted that the council had reduced the amount of land originally intended for the developments after negotiations with the provincial government. Still, some residents were not appeased. Council members reassured residents that a traffic study was underway and suggested the future REM line would help alleviate potential traffic issues caused by the influx of new residents.
One resident, Mr. Turgeon, criticized the lack of consultation, saying the project details were not clear and the city’s website lacked sufficient information. He emphasized the need for transparency and proposed broadcasting council meetings online to ensure broader access for citizens.
Calls for Greater Transparency
Residents voiced recurring demands for improved communication between the council and the public. Beyond the housing projects, several attendees pressed for the filming and online posting of council meetings. They pointed out that while this was standard practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative was discontinued.
The mayor acknowledged these concerns, stating that the city’s website needed improvement to provide better access to municipal rules and meeting details.
REM and Municipal Taxes
The council provided an update on the REM commuter rail line, now scheduled to reach Deux-Montagnes by fall 2025. Testing has already begun. Mayor Martin also noted that municipal taxes have risen due to the REM project, something that the council and locals already expected.
Flood Preparedness and Environmental Concerns
Flood preparedness was another topic raised during the question period, with citizens inquiring about support for potential spring flooding. Although the discussions lacked specific details, the council mentioned measures and special boards approved to address future flooding concerns.
Council Business and Approvals
During the meeting, the council swiftly addressed other agenda items, including the approval of winter activities at Parc Olympia for the 2025 winter period and the authorization of funding requests for local organizations, including the Deux-Montagnes Ringette Association amongst other things.
Looking Ahead
The meeting wrapped up with ongoing concerns about urbanization dominating citizen discussions. While the mayor emphasized efforts to balance growth with community needs, the sentiment among residents suggested lingering apprehension about transparency and the potential impacts of large-scale projects.
As Deux-Montagnes continues to navigate these challenges, the call for open communication and greater public engagement remains loud and clear.
