Katy Elie, treasurer of the Mount-Royal Municipal Association indicated that the location at 10 Montgomery Avenue could house an art gallery and artists’ studios. (Photo: Martin Alarie)
Residents want to appeal
Following two reports, the committee that studies requests for demolition permits in the Town of Mount Royal finally made its decision Monday, regarding the demolition of a house located at 10 Montgomery Avenue. In spite of protests by about 15 residents who were present at the meeting, the committee chaired by city councilor Philippe Roy decided to go ahead with the demolition of the building. The residents now intend to appeal the decision.
"Mount Royal is a complete city, it does not have vacant grounds,” said Roy, at the Monday evening meeting held at the town hall. “For a municipality, it is extraordinary to have a zone which it can keep. It is land at the disposal of the city for a park, a Maison de la culture, a soccer ground."
Lew Greenberg president of the Mount Royal Municipal Association invited members of the committee to delay their decision again in order to hear the concerns of residents and to consider other alternatives.
The members of the Study Committee already deferred twice, on October 17 and on December 6, the decision concerning the demolition of the building. In front of the pressing questions of residents, city councilors Melpa Kamateros and Philippe Roy made a point of noting that the subject of the meeting was to announce their decision. "We do not begin a new debate today,” explained Roy who proceeded to read the document. “We are here to make public the decision of the committee."
The Study Committee stressed that the house at 10 Montgomery Avenue did not have any heritage value, that the grounds will not be used for private means and that it took into account the objections of residents. It felt however that the creation of a Maison de la culture should not be taken into account in the decision since the construction of a cultural centre is at the present time hypothetical.
One resident however scoffed at the claims of the municipality. "We must be honest with one another,” said Ann Streeter with the approval of the residents that were assembled. “We know that you will demolish the house for a Maison de la culture."
Katy Elie, treasurer of the Mount Royal Municipal Association, made the point that the municipality already had the infrastructure for performances and that 10 Montgomery Avenue should be renovated in order to house an art gallery or artists’ studios. "We already have a performance hall which is ready to receive spectators at Mount Royal High School,” she said. “Why build a cultural centre given that the house is in good condition?"
Will there be an appeal?
Residents have a 30-day deadline following the decision of the committee to submit a written appeal to the municipal clerk. If the residents prevail in their right to appeal, the town council will examine the question at the July 30 meeting.
Roy, who also chairs the Consultative Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development, reiterated his intention to make a park. "The idea to acquire parks is part of the policy of sustainable development by the city,” he said. “I do not agree with the fact that we build on parks [... ] It is not very probable that from now until the end of our mandate, something will be built on this land."
Mount Royal spent nearly $500,000 to buy part of the grounds at Mount-Royal High School, located beside 10 Montgomery Avenue and belonging to the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Commission. The municipality then expropriated the vacant house located on the land. "It is an administrative decision, Mount-Royal jumped on the occasion because the grounds are close to the downtown area,” said Roy. “If we had not bought the land, a developer would have already built a series of row houses [... ] The council is very concerned about the environment and the warming climate. This decision does not represent a squandering of Mount Royal’s parks."
(Translated by Michael Beigleman)
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
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