« Natural environments north of Parc de Lyon are very disturbed and inhabited by a pioneer ecosystem mixing a great diversity of plant species typical of urban brownfields. There are also large wetlands, including willow woodlands and flooded silver maples until very late in the year, which should be included in the regulations on wetlands of interest, as requested by us in the Fall of 2020. [...]

Creating a new neighbourhood as densely populated in an area that is not served by any public transit will result in the addition of a consequent pressure on the already saturated road network of Vimont's neighbourhood, while also increasing even more heat islands. We therefore recommend that this area becomes zoned SEU.1 instead, and that its development favour the protection, connectivity and restoration of natural environments to be found there. » (translated from original quotes).

We must also mention the impact of such a development on the overflows (already quite problematic) of the sewer system, as well as the additional demand in drinking water, while the Mille-Îles river (which supplies this area of Laval) is almost completely saturated.

The decision to assign a differed zoning to give ourselves time for land use planning, which presents both a strong potential for development and ecological restoration, appears to us as a wise decision. In the meantime, owners of targeted property lots can still rally to create together an Overall development plan (ODP) that satisfies the requirements for a development that respects the ecosystems' support capacity.

Articles on this topic (in French):

January 26, 2023 - Article in Courrier Laval: Bras de fer entre un groupe de propriétaires et la Ville

February 16,  2023 - Article in Courrier Laval: Le Code de l'urbanisme contesté

February 17, 2023 - Article in Courrier Laval: Nouveaux zonages: «La Ville est pleinement légitime», affirme le maire