Mixed reactions as Pointe-Claire adopts temporary development freeze in key sectors

Some are rejoicing, others are shaking their heads afterPointe-Claire's city council voted last week to impose a temporary freeze on developmentin several key sectors of the cityas it revamps its urban planning program.

The interim control applies, in particular, to thecity's centre(which includes the Fairview Forest),Pointe-Claire Village andValois Village, as well aslarge shopping centres.

For the duration of the freeze,which is ineffect for 90 daysbut couldlast as long as two years,no permits can be issued for the construction of new buildings or the conversion of existing ones in these areas.No permits can be issued for the construction of a new main building on the site of identified shopping centres, either.

Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomassaysthe freeze willallow the city to hold public consultations before revising its urban plan. The goal isto define a development vision that includes the community's interests.

"Our citizens were very upset with the rate of development in Pointe-Claire ... for the past four or five years," Thomas told CBC's Daybreak.

He said "huge" condo constructionnear Hymus and Saint-Jean boulevards in particular has been "nothing but trouble," and traffic congestion on Saint-Jean is getting evenworse.

"The complaints are endless," Thomassaid.

The freeze was adopted unanimously by council last Tuesday, except for Counc.Paul Bissonnettewho recused himself from voting because he owns property on Lakeshore Road, which is in a sector affected by the freeze.

Citizens'group satisfied, major developer upset

A citizens'group fighting to save one of the last remaining forests in Pointe-Claire rejoiced after the adoption of the Interim Control Resolution.

"In the last 15 months, we have all worked very hard to make sure that our administration understood how essential green spaces are to the makeup of our city.With your help, we got the message across!!" wroteGenevive Lussier, spokesperson for theSave the Fairview Forest group on itsFacebook page.

The forest property, situated just west of Fairview shopping centre, isowned by Cadillac Fairview, which recently had plans to replace part of the forest with amassive mixed-use complex.

However the developer says a new revitalization project, this timefor"a human centric, mixed-use living environment" inthe shopping centre's parking lot, wassubmitted to the city last year. It says developmentwould not infringe on the forest and that it is disappointed with the freeze, which affects the project.

In a statement to CBC News, the developer also says it's surprised by the roadblock, as it says the project has been the subject of continuous discussions with city representatives and theplanning department since it was submittedin August of last year.

But Thomas says "submitted" is a stretch.

"As far as Iknow, we have absolutely nothingsubmitted in writing," he said of the project.

While Save the Fairview Forest group is happy with the temporary protection for the green space, it hopes a more permanent solution comes out of the city's public consultations, which it says it will take part in.

In the meantime, the group says it ishoping that multiple levels of government can work together to purchase the property with CF's co-operation.

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Pointe-Claire seems destined to become the downtown of the West Island, but that's a big concern for voters in the upcoming municipal election