Faubourg Lac-brome is a go without referendum
TBL council announced that there is no need to go further with the process of registering a request for referendum on the matter of the proposed development slated for the property in Foster that once was a golf course.
Elected officials of TBL adopted the resolution for the Special Project of Construction, Modification or Occupation of a Building (PPCMOI) Faubourg Lacbrome at last week’s regular meeting of the town council in Knowlton.
Twenty-six signatures could have triggered a referendum. However the town authorized the promoter, Marc Brochu of Bromont, to seek signatures from people who would be in support. Only needing 65 disclaimers from residents living in the identified zones contiguous to the property, Brochu says that he was able to amass over 80 signatures just 24 hours before the opening of the register. Therefore, the town says that there is no longer a need for a referendum and that the promoter has the go-ahead with the project. More than 50 per cent of the residents in those five zones affected were in favour of the second draft of the project.
John Collins and Brian Catchpaugh of Foster voiced their ongoing concern and skepticism about the potential negative impact on water sources and issues related to buffer zones in the areas of Durrell Stream that runs through the old golf course. Potable water and wastewater management have been a priority issue since the first presentation of the project in early December 2017. Mayor Richard Burcombe reminded them that there are never any guarantees about water sources. He said that the golf course never ran out of water even though they were heavy users with the need to irrigate the entire property on a daily basis. Burcombe also reminded and was backed up by Pierre Beaudoin of Renaissance Lac-brome that the government regulations for a buffer zone by a stream is 15 metres, not 45 metres.
TBL General Manager Gilbert Arel could not say what the outcome of a legal notice that was served to the town by attorney Johanne Brassardon on behalf of “concerned citizens wishing to remain anonymous” would be and was not aware that Renaissance Lac-brome (RLB) has written a letter to the Quebec Minister of Environment about certain concerns related to the project. Pierre Beaudoin of RLB has said that for the most part, even though he and RLB would prefer no development, the promoter’s plan is good and respectful. Arel says that the development is promising when it comes to building economic strength to the town that has suffered a downfall.
The project will see 48 residential lots on an area of 64 hectares, each with a minimum of 5,000 square metres. Each home will be required to have its own separate well and septic system. Brochu says that he is satisfied with the outcome and that his fingers are crossed that the project will go forward smoothly.