The Suburban, August 4 2005

Pharmaprix deal advances

By Diodora Bucur, The Suburban

The rezoning bylaw clearing the way for construction of a controversial commercial/residential project at the corner of Côte St. Luc Rd. and Decarie Blvd. went through its third and final reading at last Monday night’s C.D.N./N.D.G. council meeting, with only two of the six-member council voting against it.

The fate of the three-storey structure housing a Pharmaprix outlet and residential units now hinges on whether a sufficient number of area residents sign an Aug. 31 register forcing a referendum. Borough spokeswoman Karine Massé says the number of signatures required will be made public by Aug. 10. More than 160 people signed a petition requesting the register.

Currently zoned institutional, the land must be rezoned commercial/residential to permit construction of the pharmacy, housing units for out-of-town employees of the Toronto-based chain and a 23-spot parking lot.

Resident Suzanne Jacob says the council failed to consider greenspace concerns before giving its approval. “Greenspace and environment issues and our quality of life were not addressed.”

Renée Banville added there is no doubt the project would increase traffic. And to prove her point during Monday night’s council meeting, she showed pictures of a Jean Coutu truck blocking the Côte St. Luc Rd. and Decarie Blvd. intersection.

“Delivery trucks are too big for the street,” she said. “We don’t need a pharmacy with 23 parking spots. We already have access to five pharmacies within a two-minute walk.”

C.D.N./N.D.G. megacity councillor Marvin Rotrand agrees circulation is a concern, while C.D.N./N.D.G. megacity opposition councillor Jeremy Searle blasted the project, calling it unacceptable.

But executive vice-chairwoman Francine Senécal disputed claims that the project would boost traffic on residential streets, saying customers would walk to the proposed drugstore and that the area is already commercial. She also said the project would enhance the next-door Orphelinat building, which has heritage value.

“We are not talking about demolishing a heritage building, we are talking about building on an empty lot,” she said.

C.D.N./N.D.G. chairman Michael Applebaum warned that if residents reject the project, the developer has the right to come up with another project that could have a bigger impact on the neighbourhood.

The register will be held Wednesday, Aug. 31, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., 5160 Decarie, 6th floor. 

2005-08-03 09:34:10