Implemented in 2022, the interim control by-law (ICB) for the protection of wetlands of interest in the Town of Hudson could be officially lifted by the end of summer 2024. The lifting of the by-law is subject to approval of by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024 by the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC. The MRC has 120 days in which to make its decision.

Once approved, the by-laws will, among other things, regulate tree felling, the protection of wetlands and hydric environments, and the criteria for financial contributions for parks, playgrounds and natural spaces. 

As soon as she took office in November 2021, Hudson mayor Chloé Hutchison and the municipal council began modifying the town's urban plan to prioritize the protection of natural environments. Shortly afterwards, the RCI imposing a moratorium on certain urban planning operations was adopted.

The Town's objective was to develop a common, global vision of the actions to be taken to ensure the protection of natural environments on its territory.

The process, which lasted almost two years, enabled the Town of Hudson to sound out the concerns and expectations of its citizens, through various activities, including a major public consultation. 

“When we set up the ROI, we set ourselves the goal of really getting the pulse of the community, because we knew that it affected environmental protection measures, but also that even we (the City), in our ambitions to want to protect the territory. We realized that if our measures were too tight, it would generate a lot of backsliding.It's important to understand that the objective of implementing the RCI was to stop the clear-cutting that was taking place every time there was construction, and to reduce margins, construction perimeters and so on,” Hudson mayor Chloé Hutchison told Néomédia.

Although not officially applicable, by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024 give developers, promoters and citizens a good idea of what will be applicable, once the by-laws receive the MRC's seal of approval.

“That said, even though it's very rare, if the MRC were to find an anomaly or non-conformity with the regional plan we might have to amend the bylaws before obtaining the certificate of conformity.These modifications would follow the usual public process,” adds Ms. Hutchison.
Full details of the by-laws are available on the Town of Hudson website.