Residents press council on housing, flooding and Place Rosemère redevelopment
By Matthew Daldalian, LJI Reporter
Rosemère residents spent the May 12 town council meeting to press elected officials on several development files, including a proposed housing project near a train station, the future of Place Rosemère and flood-protection work in vulnerable areas of town.
Council tabled a resolution for a multifamily housing project on William Street, made up of two two-story buildings with five units each. The town said the project would use temporary powers under Quebec’s housing legislation, allowing municipalities to authorize some housing projects that depart from local planning rules before Feb. 21, 2027.
Councilor Marie-Hélène Fortin said the file was suited to that approach because of its location near the train station.
“This is obviously a project that, under Bill 31, allows us to move a little faster to propose housing,” she said in French. “In this case, it is very close to the station, so it seems to me like a project that is well suited for very gentle densification, obviously over two stories.”
Mayor Marie-Elaine Pitre said it is the first time Rosemère council has used the tool.
“It is a tool that allows us to derogate from our regulations,” she said in French.
Residents question density
During the question period, one resident asked whether Bill 31 meant there would be no public consultation.
“We are going to hold one,” Pitre said.
The mayor said the law allows the town to override some local rules, but still requires that residents be informed.
“They ask us at least to inform people,” she said.
One resident also raised concerns about whether the same approach could apply to other lands near the station. The attendees were informed that the William Street file had a specific context because it is next to the station parking lot and located in an area already close to redevelopment zones.
Place Rosemère remains key issue
The Place Rosemère redevelopment also returned to the floor, with residents asking about building heights, parking structures and how the town measures public acceptance.
The town’s regional hub special planning program, known as the PPU, covers the Place Rosemère sector and is intended to guide redevelopment of the area. Rosemère says the PPU is tied to the Place Rosemère regional hub and its citizen participation process.
Resident René Villeneuve said he had spoken with residents who were surprised by the scale of possible redevelopment.
“When I talk to them about the Place Rosemère project, that buildings could reach around 16 stories, I had to walk around with the bylaw to show them,” he said in French.
Pitre pushed back on that number, saying the town had heard concerns and changed the height limits.
“There are no 16 stories,” she said.
She said the revised rules would be presented when the file returns next month.
“It’s 12 stories that are allowed, and people were in favor of that,” The mayor said
Parking garage questioned
Resident Alain Aubé also raised concerns about a possible four-story outdoor parking structure in the Place Rosemère sector, saying its location could shape the town’s image from Highway 640.
“The first thing people will see of Rosemère is a four-story outdoor parking lot,” Aubé said in French.
Pitre said the project is not at the permit stage and that any parking structure would have to go through the town’s architectural review process.
“There are different provisions for integration, for improving the visual aspect of the garage itself,” Mayor Pitre said.
Aubé also asked whether the PPU would include a firm cap on the number of units expected over the next 15 years. Pitre said the PPU as a whole allows roughly 1,400 to 2,000 doors over that period, but that number covers more than Place Rosemère alone.
“The only discussions we have with Place Rosemère, their first phase over a 15-year horizon, is 650 doors,” Pitre said.
Flood protection advances
Council also dealt with several flood-related files, including studies and work tied to Rosemère’s flood-protection structures.
The town said it has three flood-protection works: the Nicolas-Mantet sector dike, the Charbonneau Park sector dike and the David-Morris Street sector dike. Council committed to producing a performance study by March 1, 2028.
For the David-Morris dike, council said the town could not confirm it had no information suggesting a possible non-compliance. A simulation presented through the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal showed raising work would be needed to meet a 100-year flood elevation level.
Council also authorized steps to obtain the required provincial environmental authorization for work on the David-Morris dike.
Environment and infrastructure
Council approved the inclusion of several town-owned lots in the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles wildlife refuge expansion.
Coun. Sébastien Jacquet said the lots include areas near the Rivière aux Chiens, the Rivière des Mille Îles and several areas.
Pitre added that the move would protect nearly 80 hectares of Rosemère territory “in perpetuity.”
Council also awarded a contract for two electric dump trucks at a cost of $514,515.38 and adopted a program to support properties vulnerable to pluvial flooding and sewer backups.
High-speed rail discussions
Rosemère also authorized its director general and acting clerk to sign documents tied to discussions with VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc. (Alto) on the proposed Toronto-Quebec City high-speed rail project.
The federal Alto project is planned as a mostly dedicated and electrified high-speed rail line with stations including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.
Council also proclaimed May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
The proclamation noted that Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
