News

Former philosophy seminary: reaction to the executive committee's communiqué

Les amis de la montagne demand an exemplary project and a transparent decision-making process

Montreal, 14 August 2009 – Reacting to the response by Montreal’s executive committee and by Helen Fotopulos, member responsible for Mount Royal, to the report by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) on the project to develop the former site of the Sulpicians' philosophy seminary, Les amis de la montagne demand nothing less than an exemplary project for the site and transparency in all subsequent decisions regarding the mountain from the municipal administration.

Les amis de la montagne are stunned by the executive committee’s expression of “satisfaction” in their August 13 press release over the site’s change in zoning from institutional to residential. For Les amis de la montagne, the elected leaders are jumping too quickly to conclusions before even ensuring that the project meets the conditions required for its go-ahead. This opinion places serious doubt upon the rigorous examination of the project promised by the executive committee in its August 13 statement. Les amis de la montagne continue to question the benefits of the proposed project for Montrealers and its positive contribution for the future of Mount Royal. The presence of great institutions on the mountain is an inherent part of Montreal’s history and the increasing disappearance of their institutional vocation should be a source of great concern to the municipal administration.

Les amis de la montagne underline that the report from the OCPM criticized the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan for not providing satisfactory criteria regarding the redevelopment of great institutional properties on the mountain: “ … the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan provides for the individual ad hoc treatment of development projects on institutional or residential properties. In so doing, it does not establish clear guidelines and leaves too much latitude to negotiation.” (Translation of reference on p. 83). Moreover, according to the OCPM report: “The clarification of the rules that should be applicable to development projects on the perimeter of the mountain is in the interest of everyone. It is a question of the credibility itself of the Protection and Enhancement Plan.” (Translation of reference on p. 84).

According to Les amis de la montagne, the question regarding the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction remains at the heart of the debate and is integral to the notion of the mountain’s protection. This fundamental question cannot be evaded by a piecemeal planning approach held uniquely between developers and the public authorities.

“We expect the municipal administration to dedicate the most rigorous and necessary efforts to define the concept of limited capacity for the mountain,” said Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne. “The municipal administration that opted for a consultative process in the creation of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal, should treat this question with the same transparency and openness considering the importance of the subject. We expect to be able to discuss this question openly and publicly before any decisions are rendered for the project to develop the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary.”

Les amis de la montagne reiterate the outcome of numerous public consultations and surveys by the OCPM and other professional firms, whereby Montrealers expressed their unequivocal desire to limit new construction as a tangible measure to protect Mount Royal. The OCPM clearly stated in its report that the Cato project as proposed will increase the built surface of the property by 70%. According to Les amis de la montagne, this increase is completely contrary to the message of moderation evoked in the Protection and Enhancement Plan and greatly exceeds the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction.

About Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca