The changes that the MRC of Charlevoix intends to make to its development plan will spell the end of megaprojects on small private properties in forest areas. Elected officials lean towards “projects at reasonable heights corresponding to the values conveyed”.
Prefect Patrick Lavoie does not yet give the precise number of units or doors that will be included in the recommendations resulting from consultations on the planning and development plan, but suggests “that we can forget the 50 units “.
“At the same time, we do not want to bully owners or send the wrong message to investors. It is a new framework which aims to protect landscapes, but which includes flexibility. It won’t be a revolution. The application will be the same for everyone, but a municipality could be more severe by prohibiting uses in certain areas,” he explains.
The modification to the development plan is the response that the MRC of Charlevoix found to the Géolagon project. Project which has aroused fears in certain circles and among elected officials. “We had to respond to the signal given by the Geolagon,” he admits.
We will remember that the MRC of Charlevoix used the interim control regulation in February 2023, a measure which initially froze all developments in the forest zone, to give itself time to respond to the developer.
The use of the RCI was the first step in revising its planning and development plan. Consultations were carried out in the four municipalities concerned by development in small forest areas. These are Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Baie-Saint-Paul, Saint-Urbain and Les Éboulements.
“No to big projects”, is a phrase often heard in consultations, indicated Laurent Gauthier of the town planning firm Arpent, responsible for carrying out the process.
There would still be one work session to do in December before concluding the work of elected officials.
The general director of the MRC, Karine Horvath explains that a statement of orientations will be published. It will summarize the changes in simple language.
The changes will be presented at the beginning of the next year. Then, there will be a new phase of public consultations. And subsequently the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will have to approve what the MRC proposes.
