30-Hectare Forest in Chelsea at Risk of Development: Residents Launch Petition to Thwart City Plans

A 30-hectare patch of forest east of Route 105, between Chelsea Boucanerie and Hall Road, is at risk, according to the Chelsea District 2 Residents Association.

The municipal council wishes to modify the zoning of the latter to facilitate its development. A petition has been launched to thwart the city plans and, at the time of this writing, nearly 370 signatures have been collected.

In a press release, the association explains that the land could be divided into three zones: a portion allowing residential construction, a recreational section with access to the river and then a nature conservation area.

% of Chelsea’s natural environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting development within the urban perimeter to avoid sprawl and destruction of wildlife habitat,”text “:”This project goes against several of the municipality’s objectives set out in its new master plan, including protecting 30% of Chelsea’s natural environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting development within the urban perimeter to avoid the sprawl and destruction of wildlife habitat””>This project goes against several of the municipality’s objectives set out in its new master plan, including protecting 30% of Chelsea’s natural environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting development to inside the urban perimeter to avoid the sprawl and destruction of wildlife habitatcan we read in the press release.

Development in this forest would irreparably damage and disrupt this delicate ecological system.explained Jacques Michaud, the president of the Association of residents of district 2.

According to the latter, the area identified by the municipality has remained untouched all these years and is home to fauna and flora that make it rich.

Mr. Michaud believes that the municipality should instead favor other lands to provide access to the river and proposes to turn to the lands that have been acquired by the City.

A project “at the embryonic stage”

In an interview on Tuesday, the mayor of the municipality of Chelsea, Pierre Guénard, wished to clarify several elements in this file.

He first explains that the development potential is uncertain and depends on several urban planning criteria, such as the regulations surrounding wetlands.houses, but there are still several steps. We are still in the embryonic stage at the moment”,”text”:”We are talking here about a maximum of 18 houses, but there are still several stages to come. We are still in the embryonic stage at the moment”}}”>We are talking about a maximum of 18 houses here, but there are still several stages. We are still in the embryonic stage right now.he insists.

Studies will be needed in the event that the project reaches this stage.

The urban plan already allows the owner of the land to present to the municipality a project for recreational and tourist facilities such as a hotel, a water park or outdoor recreation, he also argues.

« We find that the request that is presented represents less impact on the sector and the environment than the uses currently possible. »

If the project sees the light of day, there are indeed plans to subdivide the land into three zones, but no location has been determined for residential construction.

Moreover, by changing the zoning by-law, the municipality could also030091 in the cadastre of Quebec, at his expense, if necessary, further improving the natural environment of the territory”,”text”:”force the owner to decontaminate lot 3030091 in the cadastre of Quebec, at his expense , if necessary, further improving the natural environment of the territory”}}”>force the owner to decontaminate lot 3 030 091 in the cadastre of Quebec, at his expense, if necessary, further improving the natural environment of the territoryaccording to the resolution presented to the council.

According to the directory of contaminated sites of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, the company Chelsea Auto Wrecker – owner of the land – has not yet completed the decontamination of the site.

Access to water for citizens

A park and public access to the Gatineau River are also part of the plans. According to the mayor of Chelsea, this comes to meet a need identified by citizens.

The municipality also conducted a survey of just under 500 residents regarding access to the river. Mayor Pierre Guénard explains that 91% of respondents supported “a community water access project on this site”.

Access to public water would allow all residents to enjoy the benefits of the Gatineau River and not just those who have a residence.he concludes.

With information from Nelly Albérola