On September 10, at the request of the developer, the Municipality of Les Cèdres cancelled the specific construction, alteration or occupancy project (PPCMOI) for the construction of a multi-family building on chemin du Fleuve. 

“The Municipality would like to point out that citizens' concerns and comments have been heard. In response, the contractor has taken the initiative of withdrawing the project in its current form, but plans to come back and propose a version adapted to the neighbourhood,” said the municipal administration in a press release issued in the last few days. 

To be built at 1254 chemin du Fleuve, the 26-unit, four-storey building has raised its share of questions, and above all, public discontent since it was announced.

The project was presented on July 2 at an information session held by landowner and developer Yan Castonguay. Many citizens voiced their concerns and disagreement with the project.

As the project presented certain non-conformities with current regulations, it became the subject of a PPCMOI. A first for the municipality. 

Among the non-compliances was the number of storeys. In the sector concerned, regulations stipulate that a building may have no more than 2 storeys, whereas the developer was proposing four. The total number of dwellings was also an issue, since municipal bylaws set the maximum number of dwellings in the sector at 8, but also stipulate that for multi-family buildings the maximum number of units is 24. 

Not for another two years

Following the developer's withdrawal from the PPCMOI process, no building permit can be issued. “When he (Editor's note: the developer) submits the new version to us, he will have to start all over again. In order to start construction work, the developer must have a building permit and therefore all the required resolutions and municipal approvals,” explains Andy Hiep Vu, Director of Urban Planning and Environment at the Municipality of Les Cèdres, by e-mail.

However, on September 10, the Municipality of Les Cèdres also adopted its by-law imposing a moratorium on the construction of residential projects on municipal territory for the next two years.

As a result, the construction project at 1254 chemin du Fleuve cannot begin until the moratorium is lifted, even if the new version of the project complies with the bylaw. However, this does not prevent developers and owners from submitting projects to the Municipality.