The Regroupement de citoyens pour le Belvédère looking for a compromise in Boisé Belvédère project

The Regroupement de citoyens pour le Boisé Belvédère, a citizens’ advocacy group with concerns about the upcoming Carré Belvédère housing development is hoping for a big turnout at an information session being held tonight at the Mont Bellevue Borough office.

“We take environmental responsibility seriously,” said Martin Gagnon, spokesperson for the group, explaining that the concerns are rooted in the fact that the development project on the west side of Belvédère Street stands to destroy several noteworthy natural treasures. “We have three great ecosystems at risk,” Gagnon added, comparing different parts of the development area to the Real D.-carbonneau Marsh, the Beckett Woods, and the forests of Fleurimont’s Victoria park.

Tonight’s meeting is a big step forward, according to the spokesperson, as the developers behind the Carré Belvédère project will be present. Gagnon said that he hopes for as many as 100 residents to show up with their questions.

“It is good that the meeting has been opened up to all residents, because at first it was only two members of our group that were invited,” the spokesperson said. “It is really hard to work with the city. We have very little information and the information we do get comes very late in the process.”

Gagnon emphasized that the group of concerned citizens is not opposed to the housing development as a whole, but just wants to make sure it is done in a way that doesn’t completely eliminate existing environmental treasures. The Regroupement de citoyens pour le Boisé Belvédère, which has been working for three years to try to protect the area slated for development, is arguing in favour of the creation of a “green belt” between the existing houses and the development, the relocation of the Carré Belvédère to the area right along Belvédère Street, the designation of the local forest as a protected heritage area, the execution of a second ecological evaluation study in order to genuinely evaluate all the wealth of the forest and to minimize the impacts of the residential project on the environment, and the formation of a “Carré Belvédère” committee made up of members of the city, developers, and citizens in order to reflect upon the project and find an acceptable compromise.

Tonight’s meeting will take place starting at 7 p.m. at 600 Thibault street.