At the regular meeting of the Coteau-du-Lac municipal council on Tuesday June 13, elected officials were asked to vote on the first draft of By-law URB 299.3. This bylaw covers the land between Highway 20, the Soulanges Canal right-of-way and Route 201.

The dossier is complex and information is difficult to obtain from the authorities concerned. However, it was possible to learn that the main objective of this by-law is the integration of a special urban planning program (PPU) aimed at detailed planning of the Canal overbank sector.

"This detailed planning, which is required by the schéma d'aménagement of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC, will make it possible to align the regional vision and expectations set out in the regional land management tool with the local development vision for this part of the territory. Generally speaking, this sector will be reserved for recreational and recreational-tourism purposes related to the activities of the Soulanges Canal regional park, the protection of natural environments and the redevelopment of the former Koa campground site," states the City of Coteau-du-Lac by e-mail.

Majority against adoption

During the regular municipal council meeting, Coteau-du-Lac councillors were asked to adopt the first version of the by-law. District 2 representative François Vallières called for a vote on the matter, giving elected officials the opportunity to comment in greater detail.

District 1 Councillor Alain Laprade voted in favour of adoption. His colleague from district 2, François Vallières, voted against. "I don't think it corresponds to the vision we should have for our city. I think there are things we need to change. I welcome the fact that we're trying to protect Quatre-Saisons Park, but there are other elements inside that go against my vision."

District 3 Councillor David-Lee Amos also voted against the adoption of Bylaw URB. 299.3.299.3: "There's a section of this by-law that talks about the Canal's wide areas, including the one between the Canal and Route 338, where the Monseigneur-Langlois bridge exits onto Route 338. This by-law still reflects a vision of recreation and tourism in this area.As far as I'm concerned, I think it's the ideal location, as studied in the past, for a public hub.In other words, a place where we could accommodate schools and other sports institutions.The land belongs to the MTQ and could easily be transferred to various authorities, including the Ministère de l'Éducation or the Centre de services scolaires des Trois-Lacs," he explained.

He went on to say." It's still a first adoption, which means that the project is being reworked and presented for public consultation, and that changes can still be made.It then has to be readopted a second time.On the other hand, we've been told that we can't change our mind about this information, because it's the MRC's plan that imposes its vision. I have a problem with the MRC telling us what to do with the Coteau-du-Lac territories."

Before handing over to his colleague from district 4, Isabelle Lemay, Mr. Amos concluded his speech by adding: "I really hope that by refusing this project tonight, we can have direct access to the MRC so that we can discuss and not lose the little leverage we have with them. That is, to be able to negotiate something that the citizens of Coteau-du-Lac really want for this place."

For her part, Ms. Lemay also said she was against adoption. "I'm going to vote against it so we can have the chance to do something else with that land."

Finally, District 6 Councillor Patrick Delforge was ambivalent on the issue.He asked Mayor Andrée Brosseau why a PPU was set up in this sector."It's a recommendation from the urban planning department and the administration," she replied. To which he replied, "With what we've adopted tonight in terms of the environment, I feel bad if we look at what's going to happen with this project.I'm not satisfied with the answer you've given me. " The mayor pointed out that the project had been presented to council by members of the urban planning and administration departments. "I'm going to vote against Ms. Brosseau," he concluded.

Councillor Christine Arseneault was absent from the meeting and therefore did not take a position on the issue. 

A shadow of conflict of interest?

According to information obtained by Néomédia, there may be a conflict of interest in this matter. However, it is difficult to confirm this with elected officials, who are bound by the confidentiality of preparatory caucus discussions.At the time of writing, it is therefore impossible to know which members of the municipal council are in conflict of interest and why.

However, elected representatives Patrick Delforge, Christine Arseneault, Alain Laprade and Isabelle Lemay have told Néomédia that they are not concerned by the conflict of interest. 

No approaches made to Canal de Soulanges

In recent days, Soulanges Canal Park general manager Marianne Sigouin-Lebel has confirmed that no formal approach has been made to her organization in connection with the recreational tourism development of these lands."There is no shortage of ideas, however," she commented.