On November 5, 2020, in a text published in The Pressthe Urban Development Institute of Quebec (IDU) insisted on the importance of improving the process of analyzing real estate files within the municipal administration1. We suggested the creation of a follow-up committee for major projects. Each administrative unit would have to delegate a respondent to the committee to answer for the monthly progress of files.
In addition, we asked Montreal to adopt a file processing system based on performance indicators and monitoring tables specifying the expected processing times and automatic notification when the scheduled deadlines expire, so as to to be able to intervene to adjust the shooting quickly.
A first step
During the February 2021 UDI Mayors Series webinar, the Mayor of Montreal announced the creation of a facilitator cell to allow industry players and city authorities to share a common understanding. issues and identify together the means of action to improve the processing of cases.
Since this announcement and until last December, several meetings were held with real estate players within a working group led by Luc Rabouin, head of economic development on the City’s executive committee. The purpose of these meetings was to establish a collaborative approach between developers and the City based on mutual trust, to improve project monitoring and organizational performance, and to maximize the contribution of the City’s advisory bodies.
The recognition by the municipal authorities of the existence of administrative obstacles, their desire to develop a relationship of partners with the real estate industry and their willingness to adopt a new approach deserve to be saluted.
The second step
On March 8, Mr. Rabouin addressed the members of the IDU during a conference to unveil the first action plan stemming from the facilitating unit. Here is a brief description of the essential elements of this plan.
For each borough concerned, the director of urban planning will be designated as the “single project leader” and, to this end, he will be accompanied by a real estate development commissioner. For major projects, the City plans to institutionalize the practice of project launch meetings in which the political and administrative teams will participate. A dashboard of strategic projects will identify the files and their evolution; it will be the preferred tool to support the work of a new “committee responsible for monitoring strategic issues and accelerating real estate development”. The committee will be made up of the director of the borough, the director of urban planning for the borough, the DGA – economy and influence of the metropolis, the DGA – urban planning, mobility and infrastructures and the DGA – service to citizens. A report will be made to the head of economic and commercial development, to the executive committee and to the mayor of the borough concerned.
In other words, we will try to establish a common work between the different municipal services, between each borough and the City and between the administrative and the political.
In the long term, the new procedure would seek to associate other organizations often challenged; we are thinking, among others, of Hydro-Québec and the Ministry of Transport.
In 2023, the strategic projects that will be developed in four arrondissements as well as the Namur-Hippodrome district will serve as pilots to then promote gradual application throughout the city.
Beyond this new organization of work, the City announces the adoption of a flexible regulatory framework and facilitating the realization of real estate projects. For the same purpose, it now wishes to measure the impact on deadlines and costs related to municipal requirements.
With regard to the practices of the consultative bodies, the authorities will seek to optimize the processes, in particular by establishing common guidelines for the bodies in the borough and those of the City. We also intend to equip the committees of the advisory bodies and their members to facilitate project analysis.
Montreal’s action plan to accelerate real estate development meets Valérie Plante’s commitments in 2021. We are very happy about it.
let’s walk now
The first steps demonstrate a real desire on the part of municipal authorities to improve relations with investors, provide predictability and improve the progress of files. Now we have to get going. Now more than ever.
Real estate, like other industries, is wondering about the future. The residential sector must attempt to correct a deep imbalance between supply and demand to ensure affordability.
While the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) indicates that the rate of production of new units must be doubled, the economic context is rather causing a slowdown. We are not going in the right direction.
Telecommuting and e-commerce are adding to the pressures of the inflationary crisis in the office and commercial sectors. Finally, industrial stocks are exploding. On the one hand, the market is being tested by a shortage of land suitable for receiving new investments. On the other hand, the reduced capacity of Hydro-Québec combined with the uncertainties surrounding the new energy allocation process make it urgent to adopt a comprehensive industrial policy for the entire territory.
The real estate industry intends to work with the City of Montreal to meet climate challenges and to create complete, dynamic and inclusive living environments. These objectives can be achieved by creating conditions favorable to investment that will promote growth in the city’s revenues and allow it to meet the many pressing needs of our fellow citizens without increasing the land burden.
Let the march begin!