“Cutting trees in North Aylmer”

Harmony Park project prompts disagreement

City council approved bringing municipal services to a proposed Aylmer housing project located outside the urbanization perimeter, March 15. Called Harmony Park, the proposal created some disagreement around the council table.

Despite hesitation to bring municipal services outside the city’s perimeter, just east of the Vivaldi Street and Pink Road intersection in North Aylmer, councillors supported the motion, 16 to 3.

Catherine Marchand, Gatineau’s interim planning director, pointed to the past to explain why a housing project is being considered outside the urban perimeter.

“In 1988, the former City of Aylmer requested that a quarry stop its operations at that location. Afterwards, the ex-city approved removing the property from agricultural zoning. In 1991, La Commission de protection du territoire agricole (CPTAQ), which deals with agricultural zoning, agreed to exclude the property from the permanent agriculture zone,” explained Ms Marchand.

Marchand noted that, even in 2000, the property was considered outside the urban perimeter, but that residential construction was allowed. In 2008, a report informed the planning committee (CCU) that residential zoning for that property had been approved in 1998.

Also in 2008, a report was tabled with the CCU for the first phase of Projet harmonie. A first presentation was then made to council in 2009, but the item was removed from the agenda. In 2012, council finally approved the project.

One of the three councillors who opposed the motion was the councillor for the affected ward, Lucerne’s Mike Duggan. He argued, “We should be filling empty spots inside the urban perimeter and not building outside the perimeter by clearing trees. I’m against urban sprawl, especially outside the perimeter which was established with our new land-use plan.”

Plateau councillor Maxime Tremblay understood Mr. Duggan’s point, but noted that reversing an old decision could be costly for the city.

“The agreement dates back years, and we are therefore legally tied. If we change something now we could end up in court, and our chances of winning are low. I agree that we need to respect the urban perimeter and densify it, but in this case it’s a necessary pain. I can’t approve the use of public funds knowing we will lose them,” argued Tremblay.

According to Gatineau’s property tax roll, the large property is owned by Mescan Inc. According to Québec’s Business Registry, Thierry Mesana is the company’s sole shareholder.