The change, requested by the developer Dusco and unanimously approved by the Planning Advisory Board of the Arrondissement of the Nations, envisages reducing the construction margins in this sector to zero and thus allowing development of the entire site. Currently, a builder must leave a three meter clearance at the front of the building and a 1.5 meter clearance at the sides and rear.
Dusco is preparing a new seven-story commercial building on its property on Rue des Abénaquis, which must be connected to the existing building by a two-story parking lot. The minutes seen by La Tribune emphasize that the current margins “endanger the completion of the project, as the footprint of the building would not be large enough to meet customer needs.” » The size of the property also does not allow it to build the parking lot while respecting the edge boundaries.
The same document therefore recommends that the local council accept the change, since this reduction in minimum margins is justified by the situation in the city center, where certain zones do not impose minimum margins. In the decision summary, we explain that maximizing space in central locations is an important issue and propose moving activities normally planned on the edge of private properties to common spaces such as street rights, estates or parks.
Not for the entire industry
In an interview with La Tribune, Charles Custeau is categorical. He is not particularly against Dusco’s project. Rather, it is the size of the area in which the land use change will apply that bothers him. According to available documents, the boundary change would apply to the quadrangle between the Magog River, Dufferin Street and Terill Street. The Rue des Abénaquis and Rue Court would be particularly affected.
“This means we have been able to develop the entire sector 100%, a bit like the city centers of the time,” explains Mr Custeau. We have a unique opportunity to have a new entrance to the city center and we need to plan it properly. It goes against our vision for the new entry and I think we’re missing something if we do that. »
Mr. Custeau acknowledged that certain changes could apply to certain locations for certain reasons, but not to the entire district.
“Court and Abénaquis streets are old streets that are already smaller than normal streets,” he mentions. With the construction of the boulevard, these streets will hopefully become more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and will be very important as they connect the museums on Dufferin Street to the river. If we can build without margins, it means saying goodbye to active mobility and buried cables. »
Contacted the day after the council meeting, Emmanuelle St-Pierre de Dusco said she was surprised to learn there was opposition to her request for a zoning change. She also assured that no one had communicated any concerns to her and that she did not know where the registration requests were coming from. “We are examining our options for the future,” she responded simply, without wanting to comment further.
Towards a referendum?
Unless the application for a zoning change is withdrawn, the city will soon sign a register. Owners and residents of the area can have their say. If enough signatures are collected, an industry referendum will take place. We should hear more details about the entire process at the next council meeting.
With Remi Léonard