(Quebec) The announcement of the “geoLAGON” project, a vast subdivision of 600 housing units around a huge heated swimming pool, is making waves in Charlevoix and is causing concern among several elected officials.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
At least one mayor has even decided to take a public stand against this project. She hopes her outing will spark discussion about the future of this popular tourist region.
“This is the first time in my political career that I have come out against a project. It’s the first time. But here, it does not happen. It is unacceptable, in my opinion,” said the former prefect and current mayor of Saint-Urbain, Claudette Simard, in an interview.
The current prefect of the MRC de Charlevoix says he is “a little surprised at the way it was announced”. Pierre Tremblay, mayor of Les Éboulements, wants to keep a certain reserve, since he is prefect. But according to him, this project raises “questions” and deserves to be discussed between local elected officials.
The June 7 announcement surprised many Charlevoisians. That day, the promoter of the geoLAGON announced its intention to eventually build 300 double chalets in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. These 600 units would be intended in part for short-term rental of the Airbnb type.
The promoter promises the construction of a “lagoon” on the land, which is bordered by Route 138 and a high-voltage line from Hydro-Québec, in the axis of Principale Street. This above-ground, shallow pool is to be heated all year round to 38°C using a mix of clean energy, but will still be connected to the electricity grid. The technology is about to be patented, again according to the promoter.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY GEOLAGON
The subdivision would not be in the heart of the village, but rather just north of Route 138.
“We want to demonstrate that we are capable of creating a village of 2,000 people, completely autonomous with the energy of the sun and the earth”, explains in an interview Louis Massicotte, who has similar projects in the Laurentians (in Sainte-Adèle ), in Estrie and Lanaudière.
On the day of the announcement, the municipality said it welcomed the project “with enthusiasm”, the councilors being “delighted”.
“There is concern”
However, the project was not received as well by all citizens.
“There is concern among the population, and not just in Petite-Rivière, even in Baie-Saint-Paul,” said the mayor of Baie-Saint-Paul, Michaël Pilote.
I’m not the mayor of Petite-Rivière, but like everyone else, it arouses in me concerns about the environment, but also about preserving the character of Charlevoix. We are a UNESCO biosphere reserve. We have concerns.
Michaël Pilote, Mayor of Baie-Saint-Paul
He thinks that this project will have to be discussed at the council of mayors of the MRC. The question is simple: “What do we want Charlevoix to look like in the future?” asks Mr. Pilote.
The mayor of Saint-Urbain says she was “stunned” by the press release from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
“We have been working with Petite-Rivière for many years to carry out incredible large-scale projects for the municipality,” says Claudette Simard, referring in particular to Le Massif resort or the opening of a Club Med.
“And there, this project arrives, the MRC is not even informed, not even consulted, deplores the elected official. The regulations may allow them to do such a project, but it seems to me that we should have discussed it together. »
“We don’t need that”
She wonders if this project is “necessary”. “We don’t need that. What we need in our region is to welcome newcomers, to have workers, housing… that’s what I think. I speak with my heart. Is beyond me. I’m really disappointed. »
The addition of these 300 double chalets is not trivial for the municipality of some 810 inhabitants. Just before the last municipal elections, the municipality estimated that 300 houses had been built on its territory in… 12 years. Here, the promoter hopes to erect 600 units in a few years.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY GEOLAGON
Ultimately, the promoter wants to install 300 prefabricated double chalets in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY GEOLAGON
Ultimately, the promoter wants to install 300 prefabricated double chalets in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
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The mayor of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François wants to reassure opponents: his support for the project is conditional on obtaining all the necessary permits from the promoter and on its compliance with the development plan.
” But [le promoteur] began its advertising, promotion to sell its land. There, people understood that we had given the final approval, explains Jean-Guy Bouchard. But this is not the case. He has to go through all the steps, and he does. »
On its site, the promoter indicated that since Tuesday it has pre-sold nearly 60% of the 150 double rental chalets in the first phase of the project.
The Quebec Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC) is currently unable to say whether the “geoLAGON”, which must have an area of 120,000 square feet, will need of a permit. “The MELCC has not received any request for authorization and has not been informed directly of these projects”, indicates a spokesperson.