Pointe-Claire council passes resolution to kickstart talks on Cadillac Fairview development – Montreal

By a vote of 6 to 1, the Pointe-Claire, Que. City Council decided to take the first step in a contentious debate.

A decision was made to enter into discussions with Cadillac Fairview regarding the development and preservation of its properties.

“The idea is to talk to Cadillac Fairview, hopefully organize a way for them to get them around the table to their satisfaction, and the public,” said Brent Cowan, Pointe-Claire City Councilman. “You should both be sitting at the table.”

Cadillac Fairview has big plans to build a parking lot next to Fairview Pointe-Claire as well as a private forest known as Fairview Forest across from the mall.

Last February, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas initiated an interim bylaw that temporarily froze some lots in the community, including the parking lot and forest, to allow the city to create and have a city plan Citizens take part in public consultations.

A few months later, the Montreal Metropolitan Community passed its own interim charter of control, opting to protect the forest as well.

Those who have been campaigning to preserve the green spaces for years say that with two closures and the city’s map yet to be drawn up, it’s hard to understand why the majority of the council wants to sit down with developers .

“We have major concerns and really hope that in the future there will be transparency as to what options have been presented and whether the public will have a say in which options will be accepted,” said Geneviève Lussier, spokeswoman for Save Fairview Forest.

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Petition asks Pointe-Claire to help preserve Fairview Forest

Thomas says the resolution is a first step in what will likely result in Cadillac Fairview being removed from the city’s temporary development freeze.

“I would prefer to have the citizens choose what they want their city to look like and then take that decision or that framework down to the developer and let them adjust or work within the citizen framework,” Thomas said. “But it goes in the opposite direction.”

The Pointe-Claire City Manager will be the one to initiate talks with Cadillac Fairview.

Thomas hopes that citizens will be able to get involved in the process sooner rather than later.

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Pointe-Claire residents are furious after trees were felled in Fairview Forest

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