Verdun welcomes citizen comments and memorandums about densifying the Wellington de L’Eglise Sector as part of its master plan today, Wednesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. in the Council Hall on the second floor, 4555 Verdun Street.
“I’d encourage you to think outside the box,” said council member Ann Guy, during the information session about the project on Monday, June 11. “We are interested in hearing all your ideas. I’m interested in seeing them.”
Benoît Mallette, head of Verdun’s urbanisme department presented a working committee report about replacing vacant lots and demolished buildings in the Wellington de L’Eglise sector with buildings that contain double the units that might be placed under current zoning regulations. “We might put six apartments in a space that would have traditionally held a triplex,” he said. “Promoters tell us that young families buy these units.
The working committee was composed of nine local citizens who met four times to discuss densification. They heard presentations from Heritage Montreal and an organization known as Vivre en Ville and then compiled a report with seven recommendations for new zoning:
- The style of the new buildings must respect existing neighbouring buildings;
- The architecture of new buildings have to harmonize with existing architecture of a street;
- When local harmonization doesn’t exist, architecture can be more eclectic;
- Buildings should be placed in a manner that allows green space in the front and back yards to combat heat islands;
- Projects have to be self sufficient in terms of parking so that existing neighbours are not punished;
- Social housing units should be included;
- Projects should integrate sustainable development concepts.
The Wellington de L’Eglise sector is all the land in Verdun between Highway 15, de la Verendrye, the St. Lawrence River and Desmarchais. This region is already the most densely populated sector of the three in Verdun. It is within 500 metres of three metro stops, Verdun, de L’Eglise and Jolicoeur.
By replacing three storey buildings with taller buildings up to six and seven storeys that contain more units, parking lots can be placed underground so that there will be more space on each lot for green space. Since all buildings with more than four floors require elevators, the project will also increase accessibility, said Mallette.
Mallette’s entire Powerpoint presentation is already on the Verdun website. Residents can also obtain copies of the complete report and the meeting reports. The information contained in the meeting held on November 22, 2011 is the most comprehensive.
Note: This article appeared on page 1 of The Suburban’s June 13 City Edition.
