JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report
It was a packed house at the council meeting in Vaudreuil-Dorion on Monday, as residents expressed their opposition to plans to build a three-storey affordable housing complex on land that is currently part of a park.
Residents were adamant that they support affordable housing projects and were not taking a not-in-my-backyard stance. Rather, they were against allowing the structure to encroach on Esther-Blondin Park, how it would obstruct the view of the Baie de Vaudreuil and the ill-suited placement for a multi-storey building in a neighbourhood of mostly single-family houses.
“The decision has been made, and we are just here to be heard for show,” resident Sebastien Ménard told Mayor Guy Pilon.
“It’s very evident that you have no intention to take us seriously even if there are many of us against (the project),” said resident Roger Laroche.
The mayor accused many of the residents of approaching the project in bad faith, and said he was disappointed with their attitude.
“No matter what reasons we give, your mind is made up,” he told the audience, drawing a vocal reaction.
Residents frequently applauded after questions were posed and jeered after answers were given by officials.
The proposal put forward by the city includes allowing a three-storey 18-unit affordable housing unit at 25 St. Michel St. The building will be on part of Esther-Blondin Park and a neighbouring parking lot. The project would include two- and three-bedroom units and provide parking spaces for its residents. The base of the structure would be elevated to avoid risk of flooding.
In a brief presentation, Vaudreuil-Dorion’s director-general Olivier Van Neste explained that the city would be reimbursed for part of the project by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
The residence will be managed by Toit d’Abord, a non-profit specializing in affordable housing solutions for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. The group did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. No start date for construction has been officially set.