Real estate development projects are causing concern among many residents of the northern crown, who fear the disappearance of natural environments where potentially vulnerable species live. If the promoter of these projects, well established in the region, ensures to act in good faith, the residents, for their part, demand better protection of these environments.
In Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, a municipality in the Laurentians of nearly 7,000 inhabitants, orchards, farmers’ fields and single-family homes come together.
South of Highway 640, large promotional posters installed next to a forest that stretches over a few kilometers announce the new housing units of the Les Plateaux du Ruisseau project. It was developed by developer GBD Construction and will total 700,000 square feet when completed. A few days ago, “no pass” and “increased surveillance” signs, threatening the walkers with legal action, appeared at the entrances to the large wooded area usually frequented by residents. Barbed wire was also laid by the promoter in the forest, noted The duty.
“It made people angry,” says Anabel Monge, who has lived next door for 25 years. She launched a petition last January to preserve the woodland, which has collected nearly 2,500 signatures. “It’s a super beautiful forest, and GBD Construction is building everywhere,” says the one who is worried about the future of her region.
There are several citizens who have been campaigning more actively since last winter against a portion of this housing project. “We hope to protect the forest to make it a conservation park, where people can walk,” says Jean Baril, member of the REgarde citizen! Group. This is the last forest left in the area. “
The municipality approved the project. She wants to get her hands on 1.7 million square feet of “non-buildable” space, so 70% of the land owned by the developer. She wants to preserve the rest of the wooded area to make it a place open to the public. “It is a balm to compensate for the fact that trees will be cut for the project”, underlines the mayor, Benoit Proulx, who has just been re-elected by acclamation for a third term.
But the city is currently in a standoff with the developer. The city council voted last August to expropriate GBD Construction of land on which real estate projects are not planned. “We can’t come to an agreement, the promoter wants to develop more than expected,” explains the mayor.
The municipality wants the transfer in its favor of these 1.7 million square feet, while park fees represent 240,000 square feet, replied GBD Construction. “GBD Construction has been the owner in good faith for years, has paid its taxes, and there, the municipality wants to change the rules at the last minute,” says company spokesperson Patrick Howe.
He adds that the barbed wire was installed because there would have been vandalism. “The survey work has been slowed down because citizens have removed demarcation stakes,” he says.
Vulnerable species?
Before starting work, the promoter must, among other things, renew a certificate of authorization from the Quebec Ministry of the Environment. The request is being analyzed, the ministry told To have to.
The citizens’ group, however, disputes the technical report – necessary to obtain the certificate – produced by biologists hired by the promoter. He asked another firm to do a summary assessment.
“Their document is not complete,” emphasizes Isabelle-Anne Bisson, biologist and president of TerraHumana Solutions. The team is currently completing a short report after a site visit. In particular, an oval hickory and a butternut have been identified, two tree species likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in the province. This means that they are at risk and require special attention. The butternut is also classified as an endangered species at the federal level.
This information does not appear in the promoter’s report, specifies Isabelle-Anne Bisson. “We recommend doing a more in-depth study in the spring and next summer,” she says.
Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac worried
In the neighboring municipality, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, citizens organized a rally on Saturday at Parc Félix-Leclerc with residents of other municipalities, including some from Saint-Joseph-du-Lac. The achievement of a minimum target of 17% of protected areas and reforestation to achieve a forest cover of 50% are among the requests addressed to the MRC of Deux-Montagnes.
The organizers are worried about the planned construction, but currently on ice, of an aquatic center in Félix-Leclerc Park, where there is a wooded area. “We are opposed to it being built in this place, in this ecosystem, because it will destroy it,” said Sylvie Clermont, president of the Regroupement écocitoyen de Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac. A communications officer for the mayor, Sonia Paulus, responded by email to To have to that the municipality wants to “limit the cutting of trees to a minimum” and plans to “replant as many trees as possible”.
The cutting of hundreds of trees on land next to the park last December is also a major concern. GBD Construction had cut down trees without a permit in order to build homes and businesses. Several months later, the trees are still on the ground, and the project, removed from the website. “Communication has been suspended because the file is being analyzed by the municipal administration,” explains Patrick Howe.
The case is currently before the courts, and the municipality says it has “no development for the moment”. Some citizens would like to see the project abandoned.
The candidate for mayor and independent municipal councilor François Robillard finds this “clear cut” “distressing”. He deplores a lack of responses from the Town Hall and would like to know more before taking a position. “It’s not clear whether or not he can build on this acreage,” he said.