New Urban Plan and Public Consultation on January 16, 2023 - Additional Information
The Town of Rosemère invites citizens to a presentation of its new urban plan and by-laws on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Centre. A public consultation will be held during this evening.
The City intends to adopt the new urban plan quickly, on January 23, 2023, at the Council meeting.
Despite some progress, there are still several references to the potential development of the former golf course site in the text of the draft urban plan.
We must demand that the City remove all references to potential development of the old golf course site from the draft Urban Plan and commit to protecting it.
Additional Information
Progress on the Draft Urban Plan for the Old Golf Course Site
The latest version of the draft urban plan indicates a "recreational" designation for the 88.5% of the former golf course site and a "public" zoning (See “Carte des affectations de sol” p.90, PDF, document in French provided by the Town of Rosemère).
The roadway link in the extension of Bouthillier Boulevard has been removed.
Requests from Rosemère Vert for modifications to the draft urban plan submitted for public consultation
1- Integrate the Interim Control By-law (ICR) into the City's Draft Urban Plan (UPP)
The City must clearly state that the 88.5% of the former golf course site with the "recreational" designation is currently included in this ICR adopted by the MMC in June 2022 and that development is only possible on the 11.5% along Labelle Blvd.
Indeed, on June 16, 2022, the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC), supported by Mr. Westram (in French), adopted a ICR aimed at encouraging the reconversion and renaturalization of green spaces in Greater Montreal. Nine golf courses have been included in the ICR to date, including the one in Rosemère. These courses are all located within the urban perimeter where, according to the MMC, there is enough space available to accommodate population growth between now and 2041.
2- Remove all portions of the text that open the door to development on the former golf course site and ensure consistency with the "recreational" use of the 88.5% of the site.
The sections of the text that open the door to development on the former golf course site must be removed from the draft Urban Plan.
The sections of the UPP, which identify the former golf course site as a potential development site, are as follows (in French in the UPP document provided by the Town of Rosemère):
(p.17) « 2- Établir les conditions du développement partiel du golf, notamment un écoquartier, qui adopte des hauts standards de qualité et de développement durable, ainsi que la conservation d’une partie du terrain à des fins publiques. Y inclure une démarche d’acceptabilité sociale » ;
(p.18) La définition du pôle régional qui comprend le site du golf, le boulevard Labelle et la Place Rosemère et auxquelles la Vision, les Orientations et les Objectifs réfèrent.
(p. 18) « 5 - L’assujettissement de tout projet de redéveloppement à la procédure de Plan d’aménagement d’ensemble (PAE), tant pour le redéveloppement du site de la Place Rosemère que de celui de l’ancien golf, est souhaité par les citoyen(ne)s, qui adhèrent à la possibilité d’être consultés sur le devenir de ces sites.
(p.18) « 8 – La conciliation entre le développement du site de l’ancien golf et la conservation d’une partie de celui-ci est un élément cher aux yeux des citoyen(ne)s qui souhaitent préserver et mettre en valeur cet écrin de verdure urbain.
(p.35) « Malgré un vieillissement démographique projeté qui influera sur l’utilisation des parcs et espaces verts, les projets de redéveloppement de la Place Rosemère et du site de l’ancien club de golf présentent le potentiel de transformer le profil démographique en attirant de plus jeunes ménages. Toutefois, la composition des ménages au sein de ces projets est dépendante des typologies de logements proposées. »
(p. 48) « OPPORTUNITÉS FONCTION RÉSIDENTIELLE - Le golf de Rosemère offre une grande richesse en termes d’aménagement qui pourrait être envisagée et entraîner des retombées positives significatives pour la ville. »
3- Clearly indicate in the UPP how the Town of Rosemère will contribute to the objective of protecting 30% of natural environments and restored environments by 2030.
At COP15, the provincial and federal governments committed to achieving 30% of natural environments protected and 30% of natural environments restored. The MWC, supported by Mr. Westram (in French), has announced that it is committed to the new COP15 targets. Cities are called upon to act quickly in this direction and this must be reflected in the PU. In addition, the MWC intends to create a network of metropolitan parks with its municipal partners, including through the acquisition and conversion of golf courses (in French), which will promote accessibility to green spaces for people throughout the region. By 2030, this park system could encompass more than 14,000 hectares, 37 times the size of Mount Royal Park.
Means that could be targeted in the UPP to achieve protection objectives:
Add the 88.5% zoned "public" of the former golf course site as green space on the map on page 79.
Clearly demonstrate to the UP that protection of the old golf course site would complete the wildlife corridor in our region which is vital to the protection of biodiversity and the objectives of COP15: Ecological corridors, the missing link in biodiversity protection. (in French)
Adjust the map and revise the text of the UP (p.34), to respect the WHO standard that states that each dwelling should be at a distance of 300 m from a park (not 400 m).
Respond to the call of the federal government (in French) and add measures to the UPP to protect the Monarch Butterfly. Rosemere became a "Monarch Friendly City" in 2018 and must act to preserve its habitat. Milkweed grows abundantly on the former golf course site and Monarch butterflies frequent it from June through September. (Source: iNaturalist.ca)
Emphasize the redevelopment of mineralized areas, for example: the old garage on Grande-Côte, the bus parking lot and the 4 corners.
4- Delay the adoption of the urban plan to integrate citizens' comments
Postponing the adoption of the PU to a later date would allow a longer delay between the presentation of the bylaws and their adoption by the city council. This would allow citizens who wish to submit written briefs, suggestions and recommendations to do so.
