The project aimed at housing employees of the CISSS des Îles is now envisaged in L’Étang-du-Nord and no longer in downtown Cap-aux-Meules. At the same time, a second project of 48 housing units submitted by a private developer could see the light of day, also in L’Étang-du-Nord.
The Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine has relaunched the approval process for the housing project of CISSS des Îles in a new location, Tuesday evening.
The construction initially planned behind the former Auberge Madeli raised several concerns, particularly in terms of traffic and social acceptability.
The new planned site for the building is located very close to the Place des Îles shopping center in L’Étang-du-Nord, along Route 199, opposite the Hydro-Québec thermal power plant.
The land, including CISSS des Îles is already the owner, was to accommodate a future seniors’ home, a project which was ultimately put on hold by Quebec.
The mayor of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Antonin Valiquette, maintains that the new planned location is more adequate, based on several criteria analyzed by the Municipality. It’s the same project, but on another land, with few neighbors around, with a larger land area, with more limited impacts on traffic
he said.
The construction project still has 60 housing units over five floors, which deviates from current planning regulations which authorize a maximum of 12 housing units over three floors.
The CISSS des Îles will have to respect seven conditions imposed by the Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine to obtain its construction permit, in particular submitting a traffic plan and respecting architectural integration constraints.
The project will also have to undergo a second public consultation, taking into account the change of site, before the council officially authorizes construction.
The question period at the Îles-de-la-Madeleine municipal council meeting lasted more than an hour. PHOTO: COURTESY
Citizen fears
During the question period, some Madelinots expressed concern that acceptance of this project would create a precedent and lead to the proliferation of imposing buildings in the Magdalen Islands.
The mayor replied that it is only the exceptional nature of the project that leads the council to consider it. I can assure you that if it wasn’t the CISSS des Îles who tells us that if we don’t do that, we will lack nurses and beneficiary attendants, which would have serious impacts on health services, we wouldn’t even talk about it
launched Antonin Valiquette.
The next one that comes to me with a development project [de cinq étages] and who doesn’t have an excellent reason like that, I tell you that as long as it’s me who’s going to be there, it’s going to be no.
Furthermore, the Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine is committed to analyzing the possibility of setting up a pedestrian and cycle corridor to encourage active travel over the 1,500 meters which separate the future apartment building from the CISSS and the Islands Hospital.
Another project of 48 housing units
Furthermore, a second exceptional project of 48 residential housing units is also analyzed by the Municipality, still in the L’Étang-du-Nord sector.
Private developer Jonathan Leblanc wants to build eight three-story buildings with six housing units each, on land bordering Allée Augustin-Nadeau, opposite the BMR hardware store.
The land targeted for the construction of eight six-unit buildings is circled in red. PHOTO: MUNICIPALITY OF ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE
Currently, municipal regulations in the sector only authorize the construction of single-family or semi-detached dwellings. The number of floors is also limited to two.
The Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine has nevertheless begun the process of authorizing the construction of new homes as part of a first draft resolution accompanied by several conditions.
Before obtaining an official construction authorization, the developer must submit a residual materials management plan to the Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
A public consultation meeting must also take place to collect citizens’ comments on the requested exemptions before the Municipality gives its approval.
However, the municipal council refused the construction of a commercial building which also appeared in the developer’s plans, because its use was not clearly defined enough.
The residential complex could see the light of day behind it in the Lavernière sector in L’Étang-du-Nord. PHOTO: MUNICIPALITY OF ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE
The mayor of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Antonin Valiquette, welcomes this private initiative to create housing in a context of scarcity. When a developer sees a business opportunity and develops housing, I certainly see that in a positive light.
indicates the mayor.
A study unveiled in 2021 concluded that at least 200 homes available all year round must be built in the archipelago by 2026 to reduce the rental deficit.
THE ONE The CISSS des Îles project will probably not see the light of day in Cap-aux-Meules, but rather in L’Étang-du-Nord. (Archive photo) PHOTO: - / LUC PARADIS
BY Isabelle Larose
