The Borough Councillor for Norman-McLaren District, Annie Gagnier, who served as Committee Chair last year, read the highlights while underscoring that with respect to landscaping, the Arrondissement significantly exceeded the minimum requirements set by the zoning bylaw for several criteria. 

Highlights 

A total of 149 topics were on the agenda at the 11 public meetings held in 2023. Of these, there were 23 new projects including three industrial buildings, seven multifamily housing projects and ten single-family homes. 

The landscaping elements exceeded the minimum requirements set by the zoning bylaw for the following criteria: 

• A total of 27.5% more green spaces for 17 of the projects, with 47,966.6 m² compared to the minimum requirement of 34,778.3 m².
• 55% more trees for all projects combined, with 641 compared to the minimum requirement of 406.
• 22% more total parking shade area for five projects, with 1616.3 m2 compared to the minimum requirement of 1263.7 m2.

Furthermore, five projects included green roofs covering a total surface area of 2538 m².

In the residential category, the Committee favourably recommended a total of 828 new multi-family housing units. The major projects included phases 3 and 4 of the Monarc development at 2800, boulevard Thimens and 3000, rue Modugno. Striving for LEED Silver certification, these two buildings will include 255 housing units in addition to 79 new trees and a community garden. Also noteworthy, phases 3 and 4 of the Aura project at 5300 and 5330, boulevard Henri-Bourassa with 242 housing units, and the Îlot 7 project at 2211, rue Harry‐Halton with 205 housing units. Moreover, 10 new single-family homes were built in Saint-Laurent. 

In the business category, one building was submitted to the Advisory Committee on Planning for exterior modifications and a ground-floor extension. Additionally, the Committee issued favourable notices for three Special construction, modification or occupancy projects for buildings with business or service vocations.

In the industrial category, the Committee approved three new industrial building construction projects and a few exterior modification projects. One of these, located at 10255 boulevard Henri-Bourassa, will involve the construction of an industrial building that integrates a centennial heritage home built in 1880. Two other initiatives aligned with the Solaris project will include the installation of 557 m2 of solar collectors at 7350, route Transcanadienne, and 58 solar panels at 3950, boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, among others.

Finally, the institutional category includes three school yard redevelopment projects for the Cardinal-Léger, Henri-Beaulieu and Bois-Franc-Aquarelle schools. Also, the development project for an Indigenous learning circle at Vanier College. The latter will create a gathering place conducive to outdoor classes on the oral tradition of Indigenous peoples.

Committee composition 

In 2023, the Advisory Committee on Planning was composed of the following members:

• Annie Gagnier, Borough Councillor and Committee Chair 
• Vana Nazarian, City Councillor and Committee Vice-Chair 
• Suzane Lasnier, citizen 
• Andreas Dimakopoulos, citizen 
• Mireille Shebib-Aubé, citizen
• Rita Ghoche, citizen 

Meriem Aktouche and Kenza Diboune, development consultants, served as leads for the coordination and presentation of projects to the Advisory Committee on Planning.

Antoine Saint-Laurent, head of the Division de l’urbanisme, served as the secretary of the Advisory Committee on Planning.