Yesterday, August 11, the Montreal Office of Public Consultations (MOPC) made public its report on the Marianopolis residential project. For such a ‘controversial’ project only about 100 people took part during the public hearings held earlier this May, and 60 written and oral testimonies were given.

Although the MOPC preferred that the site would maintain its institutional vocation, given the absence of any offers from a public institution, it has recommended that it be zoned as a residential area and has given the green light to Cato Development Inc.’s project provided it “allows the preservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage of the site” and it doesn’t present any physical and visual impacts on the view between the Mt. Royal park and the city. It maintains that “real estate development and institutional expansion on the mountain are regarded as a privilege and are subject to a public justification of their essential and exceptional character. That they are surrounded by clear boundaries, some of which should be non-negotiable, including the protection of the ecological network and woodlands of the historic and natural borough of Mont-Royal, the protection of threatened vistas, and the preservation of significant built elements. They should also be guided by criteria of environmental integration and application of compensatory measures.”

Guided by the Plan de protection et de mise en valeur du Mont-Royal (PPMVMR), the MOPC has concentrated on the eight main issues put forward by the borough’s municipal council: the protection of natural spaces and the built heritage, respect of the landscape components, respect of the vistas from the Mt. Royal park, adhering to the carrying capacity of the area under the PPMVR, the public access to the site, long-term adherence to the guidelines and demands of the City, and the full assessment of the project before the final decision is made by the municipal council.

Although the Project has numerous positive aspects such as the inclusion and restoration of the original building (the chapel and commemorative monuments), the ecological management plan and the conservation of woodland, as well as the low vehicular circulation and underground parking, the MOPC is nevertheless concerned about some negative impacts and has made recommendations that will amend the original plans. Among these are:

• The condition that the natural habitat surrounding the development be open to the public without any restriction, certain areas will be reserved for the future owners, nevertheless the total area open to public access needs to be expanded.
• The built surface be reduced so that the carrying capacity of the site be maintained by reducing the number of single occupancy villas by a eight-floor condo complex.
• The iclusion of specific engagement of the future owners to adhere to the recommendation and guidelines of the final authorization permits.

The MOPC has nevertheless declined some important compensatory measures brought forward by the public such as: declining to maintain the existing sports complex that was regularly used by two elementary schools in the area shifting the responsibility to the City; declining to include social housing units within the Project and recommending instead that the City create a fund for such purposes; and declining to limit the parking area, allowing the full 656 spaces (two per residential unit) to be built even though the City had offered to increase street parking by an excess of 15%.

The proponent is willing to comply with the MOPC’s recommendation and said they would be able to comply with about 75% of these, nevertheless “these modifications must be within the economic feasibility of the project” and has, so far, refused to replace the single-occupancy villas by the eight-story condominium complex recommended by the MOPC.

Since the Project requires a zoning change, citizens have the option of opening an official register against the project. Moreover, article 89 of the City of Montreal Charter charges the municipal council with the final decision and emission of authorization certificates, which could be subjected to a borough referendum. Friends of the Mountain has already indicated that it will demand a moratorium on the project. “The MOPC report highlights well the issues that were expressed and there are many. Now, we must stop the project, sit down, and work seriously to find solutions”, said Sylvie Guilbault, general director of the NGO.

The full report can be found here.