In recent days, a property unlike any other has appeared on the real estate market: the Saint-Zotique golf course, owned by Daniel Pilon, has been put up for sale for $22.5 million. The subject, which is of concern to a number of residents, was discussed at the regular meeting of the municipal council on Tuesday, December 17. 

The property covers almost 5 million square feet, and is located in the heart of the village core, close to all services. A citizen who lives near the golf course asked Mayor Yvon Chiasson about this issue during the time allotted to citizens in the audience. 

“What is the City's plan should the golf course be sold? How can we be sure we won't have hundreds of neighbors all at once?” he asked. 

The mayor was reassuring in his response. “The owner of the golf course, Mr. Pilon, has wanted to sell it for years. At one time, he approached the municipal council about our interest in dezoning the area, which currently only allows for recreational projects. He recently approached us again to inform us that the business is no longer profitable and that he would like to develop a residential project there. I want to reassure everyone. It hasn't happened yet. To date, no project has been submitted to the council for this site, and first and foremost, he needs to find a buyer for his land, which is not a done deal considering the asking price,” he began.  

Should the lot find a taker, the city maintains that it won't let just any project go ahead.  “We'll make sure the project includes green spaces. The last thing we want is to end up with just apartment blocks and further bog down the road network. There are many stages to go through before a project for this lot is submitted and accepted by the elected officials, and before the project breaks ground. We'd like any future residential development on this site to include walking trails, so that citizens can continue to enjoy them in some way,” he added. 

For his part, Councillor Éric Lachance pointed out that the developer of this future project will have to comply with several standards and rules in force to develop the site as a residential project. For example, every body of water on the site will have to have a riparian buffer strip. 

His colleague, Jean-Pierre Daoust, pointed out that the file was far from finished. “It's going to take a lot to convince the current municipal council of the merits of a residential project on the golf site. Personally, I'd have to see at least 30% of this green space preserved for me to be in favor. So it's not done at all,” he concluded.  

Néomédia attempted to reach Mr. Pilon by telephone and in person for comment. Our efforts were in vain, and he did not return our calls.