Monthly Public Forum

The Mount Royal Forum gives the community, both citizens and organizations, the opportunity to exchange ideas about issues and projects affecting the mountain.

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE SUBMITTED THREE BRIEFS IN OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2011:

1) DRAFT AMENDMENT REGARDING ANTENNAS

This November, Les amis de la montagne participated in the Ville de Montréal’s public consultations on the draft amendment regarding antennas. Les amis’ brief consisted of an analysis of the amendment along four major points:

The impact of telecommunications antennas on our health;
The adoption of principles to ensure the most appropriate integration of antennas;
The protection of views;
The question of existing antennas that will be exempt from the new by-laws.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

2) LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PMAD)

The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) held a public consultation on the Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD) from September 28 to October 21. The consultation drew a historic level of participation with 344 briefs submitted for consideration. The report by the commission was presented last November 17.

Les amis de la montagne submitted a brief on the environment aspect of the project. Among other points, Les amis emphasized the importance of the monteregian hills and the structural role they play for the greater metropolitan community.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

3) PROPOSED HEIGHT AND DENSITY CHANGES FOR AREAS OF DOWNTOWN

The Ville-Marie borough has initiated a reflection process on the future of downtown Montreal in order to sustain the vibrancy of property development in this area, particularly the residential market. The Office de consultation publique de Montréal was mandated to lead public consultations on the height and density changes proposed by the borough.

Les amis de la montagne presented a brief on November 30 that made a point of stressing the highly symbolic value of Mont Royal for Montreal. The protection of views “to” and “from” Mont Royal must be meticulously scrutinized when considerations are made for increasing the height and density of buildings in downtown Montreal. The organization recommends that the borough carry its analysis further regarding the protection of views; a first study of this issue was conducted during the production of the Mont Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan in 2008 which identified the need to protect 18 views.

For Les amis de la montagne, the conciliation between developing the downtown core and protecting views is attainable, but absolutely requires an in-depth study that takes into consideration the structural role of Mont Royal as integral to the landscape of the downtown core and of Montreal.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

For more information about the forum, contact Firoozeh Djavedani, community relations coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

ADOPTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT

Adopted by the Quebec National Assembly on October 19, the Cultural Heritage Act will become law in October 2012. This act reflects the evolving concept of cultural heritage to include the notions of designating and identifying intangible heritage, historical figures, sites and events, to facilitate their promotion. This law will replace the Cultural Properties Act of 1972, the law allowing for the decree creating the Mont Royal Historic and Natural District in 2005.

Les amis de la montagne participated in the public consultations and hearings held on the draft law 82 on cultural heritage. Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

Les amis will pursue advocacy efforts regarding the implementation of this revised law to ensure that it meets the communities’ expectations with regards the protection and enhancement of Mont Royal.

Click on this link for more information on the new law.