A rule to curb the development of forestry

Photo Simon Clark/QMI Agency
Mayor Robert Miller said that the decision was taken to protect the environment, and in particular maintain the water quality of lake Saint-Charles.

Jean-François Racine

Wednesday, 19 July 2017 22:48

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Wednesday, 19 July 2017 22:48

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The elected members of the Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury has adopted a measure aimed at curbing the real estate development in forest areas, a regulation that causes the discontent of a local developer.

While the law allows the subdivision of forest on an area of four hectares, the municipality will require in the future that no new forest share is less than 20 hectares.

This measure will have the effect of slowing the real estate development in the forest.

Mayor Robert Miller said that the decision was taken in order to protect the environment, including maintaining the water quality of lake Saint-Charles and maintaining the quality of life of residents.

“It is in the watershed of the rivière Saint-Charles. We want to work proactively and take initiative before it is too late. It has adopted a regulation to limit the subdivisions. I think that it is the first to impose it in the greater Québec city area,” says Mr. Miller, who speaks of a choice, “avant-garde”.

In dispute

A subdivision of forestry allows for a wooden cup, a sugar shack, or authorizes the owner to build a shelter forest, which is not a chalet. The package authorizes the creation of accessible trails in four-wheel or snowmobile. Moreover, nothing prevents the fenestration or a wood stove.

The municipality of 8000 souls also wants to block projects that would be considered in the subdivision recreational disguised.

The promoter Christian Déry, Buildings, Mountains, protested vigorously that has a very large territory.

“It’s a little funny that we are talking about environment then this is not the reason given in the meetings of the council. It is a regulation which does neither head nor tail. It is not for nothing that the elect are walking on eggs currently. A lot of people raging calling me that.”

After the filing of a petition, Mr. Déry has made two requests of referendum process, one of which is the subject of a dispute. He anticipates huge losses with this change, of course. “Since the beginning, it is painful in this folder. I don’t have a pursuit now, but I have sent formal warnings.”