North sector PPU

General information

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s City Council officially marked the first stage of the adoption process of the Plan Particulier d’Urbanisme (PPU) of its North Sector, by unanimously adopting the PPU and its concordance by-laws on Monday, May 1st, at a special sitting of City Council at Centre Harpell.

“We are finally at the last stage of a long process that will lead to the implementation of an innovative North Sector PPU in harmony with the environment, while meeting the expectations of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue residents. We have been front and centre throughout this exercise that initially started in 2014, deploying our work in an open and transparent manner, and continuously listening to our fellow citizens’ concerns. These fundamental principles have made it possible for the members of City Council to come to a general agreement. This will be a successful, unifying project we can be proud of”, said Paola Hawa, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s Mayor.

The North Sector PPU is the result of a process based on citizen engagement that begin in the Spring of 2015. From citizen workshops to briefing sessions held on May 20, 2015 and December 14, 2016, citizens were kept at the core of the procedures. The planning stages and the vision for the North Sector have been significantly influenced by comments and concerns expressed by our citizens. Moreover, the 2016 announcement of the proposed Metropolitan Electric Network (or REM – Réseau électrique métropolitain), added a much greater potential for human mobility, and has considerably reoriented the development of the PPU.

Within the framework of a public consultation, citizens will have yet again another opportunity to express their views regarding the North Sector PPU before its final adoption. This assembly will be held on May 25, at 7:00 p.m. at École du Bout-de-l’Isle 190, rue Vallée Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

Meanwhile, citizens are invited to download the PPU project, adopted during the May 1st special sitting of City Council, along with the concordance by-laws, which will be available this Wednesday May 3 on this page. We invite you to follow the “Planification du secteur Nord” section on our Facebook page to know the location of the next public consultation.

TOGETHER! FOR A VISION OF THE NORTH SECTOR THAT UNITES US AND REFLECTS WHO WE ARE!

Public presentation

PPU North Sector - Annex A 30 NOVEMBER 2018
Annex A of by-law number 797

PPU - Presentation of May 1 3 MAY 2017
During special sitting of City Council

Présentation étapes et ateliers citoyens - PPU 14 DECEMBER 2016
Information session of December 14th, 2016

Presentation of draft North Sector PPU 14 DECEMBER 2016
Information session of December 14th, 2016

Consultation pour le plan d'aménagement du secteur nord 20 MAY 2015
Visual presentation

Citizen workshops report 14 SEPTEMBER 2015
North Sector SPP

Studies

Impacts sur la circulation 11 MARCH 2015
Traffic flow studies, impact on circulation

Étude sur l'impact environnemental et sur la biodiversité 12 MARCH 2015
Environmental studies on North Sector

Étude sur l'impact environnemental et sur la biodiversité (addenda) 29 APRIL 2015
Environmental studies PPU

Plan directeur des réseaux d'égouts et d'eau potable 5 NOVEMBER 2015
Plan directeur des réseaux d'égouts et d'eau potable, sewer and aqueduct

Rapport sommaire étude économique 9 FEBRUARY 2017
Rapport sommaire détaillé

Press releases

Public consultation - PPU 2 MAY 2017
Press release

An environmentally responsible, economically viable plan that serves the interests of all our citizens 24 JANUARY 2017
Press releases

DEVELOPERS’ INTERESTS VERSUS CITIZENS’ INTERESTS

During the week of January 16, 2017, a group of developers known by the acronym DISAB, and who hold a vested interest in the development of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue northern sector, launched a major campaign stating inaccurate and incomplete information.

Guided by the belief that our citizens are entitled to fact-based information, and remaining consistent with our commitment to ensuring full transparency in the matter of the Plan particulier d’urbanisme (PPU), the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue wishes to set the record straight.

ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPERS, the planned PPU for the North Sector of the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is a disguised expropriation.

CITY RESPONSE:  The City’s proposed PPU allows the developers to build on their land. This is far from a disguised expropriation.

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First of all, it is important to note that since the time the developers acquired the land in the fall of 2012, the provincial Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement (PMAD) has ushered in new government policy with respect to development standards. The PMAD clearly states:

“From a sustainable-development viewpoint, the primary role of the public authorities is to increase the protection of natural environments and ecosystems by promoting the cultural heritage and history of sites, encouraging high-quality urban design, introducing new urban planning and recognizing and protecting the geographical and geological characteristics of a region and its landscapes.”


The Supreme Court of Canada and the Quebec Court of Appeal have also stated that the fundamental nature of environmental protection is based on a collective, public interest and therefore it may legitimately result in restrictions being placed on individual property rights. The courts recognize that municipalities must take a leadership role in matters of environmental protection.

To conclude, the planned PPU presented by the City allows developers to build on their land in accordance with the orientations of the PMAD and is consistent with jurisprudence established by the Supreme Court of Canada and the Quebec Court of Appeal. We are therefore far from a case of “disguised expropriation”.

ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPERS, should the City adopt the PPU as presented on December 14, 2016, the City would be required to purchase their land for an amount the developers estimate at more than $30 million.

CITY RESPONSE: This premise is incorrect and the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue has no intention and no obligation to acquire the developers’ land.

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As mentioned above, the City's planned PPU allows developers to build on their land. Eco-responsible urban planning does not equal to a “disguised expropriation”, rather it is a means to harmonize of uses of the land taking into account the natural environment. It does not deprive the developers from their right to develop their property. It is incorrect to claim otherwise.

In developing the PPU, we relied on studies covering environmental, biodiversity, traffic, infrastructure and economic aspects. We also worked closely with our legal advisors throughout the entire PPU process.

The planned PPU is the outcome of a carefully reasoned, responsible process. It reflects the interests of the City and of its citizens. It is clear that the PPU does not fulfil the interest as proposed by the developers in 2014. The City, however, is within its legal rights to determine the criteria for development of its territory.

To conclude, the City has no intention or legal obligation to purchase the land.

ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPERS, their housing project would have a positive tax impact on citizens, unlike what is being proposed by the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

CITY RESPONSE: The fiscal impact studies clearly demonstrate that with respect to a residential project, each dollar of revenue from residential taxes requires the City to spend about $1.

In the PPU presented on December 14, 2016, the City advocates for a fair balance between commercial, residential and industrial development. This approach of a “mixed-development” allows for the maximum economic benefit for the City and its citizens.

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At the public presentation of May 20, 2015, the city shared the results of its studies that clearly demonstrated the economic benefit depends on usage.

Income/expenditure ratio:

• Residential use: 1.07;
• Commercial use: 4.66;
• Industrial use: 4.39.

In other words, for each dollar of revenue from residential taxes, the City needs about $1 in service spending. In contrast, for the same $1 in spending, the City receives $4.39 in revenue from industrial taxes.

The PPU presented on December 14, 2016, was prepared on the basis of thorough and objective economic data that ensures a fair balance between commercial, residential and industrial development. This mix maximizes the economic growth potential for the City and its citizens.

To conclude, the economic benefits from the PPU are currently estimated at a revenue/expenditure ratio of 3.24. In dollar terms, this means that, for each $1 spent in providing services, the City will collect $3.24

Conclusion

At the risk of upsetting certain vested interests, the Municipal Council’s priority is to serve its citizens with integrity, transparency and professionalism, and this in the best public interest. The proposed PPU relies on an ecologically responsible and forward-looking vision; it ensures a balance between economic development and respect for the environment.

No facet of the plan was left to chance, including in terms of regulatory or legal compliance. We have done our homework and have performed our due diligence. The City’s position is founded on thorough, objective studies and on sound legal advice. As such, we can state that the Municipal Council is fully aware of the multiple issues involved in this file and intends to see this process through to its conclusion, while respecting the rights of all parties. We have submitted an exemplary, responsible project that not only meets the community’s current expectations and needs but ensures our continued well-being.

The City has every right to plan the development of its territory. The PPU is the result of a reasoned process that began in December 2013. The PPU reflects the best interests of the City and its citizens and conforms to the provincial policy set forth in the Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement (PMAD).

The final adoption of the PPU for the North Sector by the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Council is expected in the spring of 2017.

FOR A VISION OF THE NORTH SECTOR THAT UNITES US AND REFLECTS WHO WE ARE!