Referendum to decide fate of former N.D.G. church

A referendum will be held in parts of Notre-dame-de-grâce this month to decide the fate of a controversial residential development on the site of a former Anglican church.

The proposed redevelopment would see the aging St-columba Church on Notre-dame-de- Grâce Ave. torn down and replaced with 10 residential homes on the site between Hingston and Beaconsfield avenues. The parish hall would be preserved as row houses.

Ballots, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, will be mailed to eligible voters on Wednesday. They will have to be returned to the borough office by Friday, Aug. 6.

A photocopy of a piece of identification must be included with the ballot. Ballots can't be dropped off in person due to the pandemic.

To participate, eligible voters must live in one of four contiguous zones that are roughly bounded by Monkland Avenue, Sherbrooke Street, West Hill Avenue and Draper Avenue.

The local borough council voted to hold a referendum after 219 residents signed a register opposing the project. Opponents say the houses are too large and there's not enough green space or trees in the plans. They also oppose the construction of an underground garage on Beaconsfield Avenue.

However, some elected officials and residents say they support the project, adding that the property's owners have been receptive to their concerns. Neighbours who live close to the former church have distributed a letter to eligible voters extolling the redevelopment plan.

“Vote in support of green spaces and new N.D.G. style homes, paying taxes to the city; or live with the decaying building ... until it collapses with the passing of time,” the letter says.