Mo Laidlaw
A small group of partners, workers, and the mayor of Pontiac, Eddie McCann, gathered near the sales office for Domaine Bellevue Estates on May 9th 2007, for the official launching ceremony for this new development of 82 houses at 1521 highway 148, Pontiac, close to Aylmer.
The Kerr family lived and farmed here from the 1850s, and many will remember the market stand at the side of the road - now the sales office. A four acre park area alongside a stream will be named Parc Kerr.
Mike Clemann of Belmont Properties has a vision of a planned community, country-living close to the city, with preserved wetland, trees and plants. The beautiful view over the Ottawa River inspired the name Bellevue, as did Bellevue Platz in Zurich, Switzerland, where Mr Clemann worked for several years in the investment industry. Fifteen of the 28 lots in phase one have already been sold.
Environmental studies
Studies costing $300,000 made sure that development complies with ministry of the Environment regulations (such as leaving vegetation on stream banks) as well as municipal bylaws. Before transferring roads to the municipality they will be paved by the developer. Soil tests have determined where septic fields and wells can be installed on the lots, which start at 3700 square metres (about 0.9 acres).
Jean Roberge, a biologist from CIMA+, identified trees and other plants. Rock elms (ulmus thomasii) have been noted, including the young trees near the front of the office - these are considered threatened in Quebec (and occur sporadically along hedge lines between here and the Breckenridge Nature Preserve). Wild ginger (asarum canadense) considered vulnerable, grows near the Parc Kerr stream, and one road will be called chemin Asaret, after its French name.
Preserving mature trees
Mr Clemann said chemin Asaret has been routed around an enormous bur oak, possibly 220 years old, and lot owners are required to save as many trees as possible. He also proudly showed off his maple syrup harvest, tapped this spring from the maple grove opposite Dépanneur Eardley, and said that he would like to retain these two or three lots as woodland.
As well as Kerr park, a nature trail alongside another stream with waterfalls leads down to the proposed bike path along the former rail-line, where there is a one-and-a-half acre linear park leading to a second access at the southeast corner of the property.
Residential growth in Pontiac
The formal part of the ceremony included a speech by Mr Clemann thanking his partners, staff, and site supervisor Luc Morin and crew. He said, “on completion the development will be a $35 million economic benefit to the municipality, and bring in about $500,000 a year in taxes.” He has future plans for an ice rink and tennis courts. Pontiac mayor Eddie McCann thanked all those who helped make this residential development possible.
Mike Clemann, surveyor Michel Fortin, Pontiac mayor Eddie McCann, notary Bernard Marquis and engineer Christian Plante, pose with the ceremonial shovel at the launching of Bellevue Estates.
Photo: Mo Laidlaw.