Understanding the process of consultation and referendum
Deadline for citizens’ right to act is March 9
With deadline at March 9, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. for submission of requests by interested persons opposing the proposed Faubourg Lacbrome project in Foster authorizing the residential development, there remains confusion about the process.
A public notice by TBL was published in local newspapers, including BCN last week. It was pertaining to the process of consultation between the municipality and its citizens regarding the proposed plan to develop the land in the location that once was the Club de Golf Lacbrome in Foster.
A special public meeting on February 19 had resulted in the adoption of a second draft of the proposal. It cites modifications to the first plan. (The number of houses to be erected would be 28 from the original plan of around 50, and the town would agree to purchase three lots that would be designated green space for public recreational activities.) Each homeowner would be responsible for its independent septic systems and well.
Going forward from that point, people living in certain specific areas near the proposed site have the right to determine whether a referendum is necessary to determine the will of the people on this matter. If there are enough people objecting to the project, the town will be obligated to conduct a referendum. Otherwise, the town will authorize the developer, Marc Brochu, to go ahead with the proposed plan.
Interested parties living in the following areas near the proposed Faubourg Lac-brome housing development in Foster can check the details of the resolution by going to the TBL town hall between 8 a.m. and noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays: RBE-1-E16, UC-3C15, UMV-2-D16, and the contiguous zones AF-22-B17, AF-23-D17, AFB-2-B16, AFB-3-B15, B15, AFB-4-D15, AFBE-1-D16, ID-25-D17, RBE-2-E16 and URB-1-C16 from which requests can be submitted.
According to the Quebec Act Respecting Elections and Referendums in Municipalities, the request must clearly indicate the provision to which the request pertains and which zone the request is coming from. If there are more than 21 eligible voters living within that specific zone the person writing the request must gain 12 other signatures from people living in that same zone for it to be considered. If the signed letter would be coming from a zone where there are less than 21, the zone must be identified and supported with signatures representing the majority of eligible voters living in that same zone. The application is only valid if all the people that have signed are of the age of majority (18 and over) and are domiciled in or own an immoveable, or an occupant of a place of business in the corresponding zone that the request is made from.
Citizens have three tries to stop the project. If there is adequate demonstration by citizens’ request referendum at March 9, the town will be obliged to notify only those concerned in the above zones that a register will be set up. If not, the town will authorize the developer to go ahead. The results of the register would determine whether to go forward with a referendum for only citizens in those identified zones. If there would not be enough signatures at that point, the town would authorize the developer to start the work. If there would be enough signatures, the town would be obligated to hold a referendum. The results of the referendum will be the final determinants of the outcome.
An information pamphlet regarding details about the changes to the original plan can be obtained at town hall or from the town’s website. All information pertaining to the adopted resolution concerning Faubourg du Lac-brome project can be obtained at town hall.