Meetings for Breckenridge residents
Mo Laidlaw
Dr Jean Amyotte, councillor for ward 7 in the municipality of Pontiac (from Elm road, south to the Gatineau boundary), and chiropractor in Aylmer, recently held two residents’ meetings. The aim was to inform residents about current issues and get a feel for their opinions. The first meeting, on the 22nd September 2007 was for those living on the SW of route 148, and the second on the 29th for those on the NE side. Nearly 100 people showed up in total.
Increase lot size?
Top of the agenda was a proposed modification to the subdivision bylaw, to increase size of new lots to 8000 m² (2 acres) to protect the water table (wells) and allow safe management of wastewater (septic systems). The existing minimum lot size is 3700 m² (0.9 acres). Lots that are already cadastred are not affected, this is for new subdivisions.
Dr Amyotte explained that the request to increase lot size came from the CCU (planning committee). There are two ways to make sure there is enough water for new and existing houses. One way is to increase lot size overall, perhaps temporarily, and another is to do studies to determine the capacity of the water table, but these take time and money. Ward 7 is developing fast and some fear that there is not enough ground water for new and existing homes. For example, construction of new houses on Lavigne road coincided with existing wells having to be redrilled, as well as flooding of storm water on Cedarvale.
The area between Sumac and Lilas is expected to be developed soon, by Bellevue developer Mike Clemann, who attended the first meeting. “When the developer has finished he’ll be gone and you’ll still be here,” said Dr Amyotte. In other words residents are left to deal with any problems.
Residents’ comments
Christian Plante, engineer for Bellevue, but also resident in ward 7, argued against larger lot sizes. “If you want a bike path, a pool, other facilities, you need more residents, paying more tax.” In the week since the first meeting he discovered that Chelsea has three residential lot sizes, one, one-and-a-half and two-acres, depending on underlying soil (sand, clay or rock). Chelsea’s water-table study only cost about $15,000. He suggested that lot size should be based on scientific studies.
At the first meeting he said that improvements in septic systems, certified by the ministry of Environment, allow the outflow from septic systems to go into ditches after passing an ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. This allows smaller lots as the tile bed is smaller. The municipality of Pontiac does not allow these systems, which rely on a continuous electricity supply.
Matt and Laurie Perry were one of 42 households in Aylmer whose wells dried up when Les Vieux Moulins golf course constructed several large ponds nearby. Their new, deeper well requires a water softener. The developer chose to pay a fine of $10,000 rather than do studies costing several times this. (The Perrys co-own a farm on Maple Lane).
Michel Grénier declared his interest - former councillor, developer (Village des Plaines in ward 6), partner and neighbour of Belmont Properties (Bellevue): “We all know that 85% of water evaporates from septic tanks” (presumably from the tile bed, so waste water doesn’t enter ground water). “3700 m² lots already cost $75-100,000 with well and septic system. Two acres is too expensive and will lead to more boats, cars and junk on property.”
Cathy Lefebvre pointed out that we have a nuisance by law to deal with this.
Several residents raised concerns about the effect of development. Do we live in the country or a suburb? Some moved away from the city for the natural beauty and different lifestyle of the country. Now the city is getting closer.
Marie-Claude Pineau mentioned that Chelsea is not the only municipality in the MRC des Collines to increase lot size. Ange Gardien has 1.5 acre minimum, although on sandy soil, and requires that 20% of the lot preserves its wooded character (trees and natural vegetation). Someone suggested that electric cables should be buried to reduce tree cutting and eyesores.
Colin —, a geologist, informed the first meeting that well water is not from this year’s rain but from rain 25-30 years ago on Eardley escarpment. One can keep digging deeper wells but water quality suffers, as iron and sulphur levels increase with depth. He said that development also means more cars on the highway. Council should put pressure on the MTQ to improve 148. Infrastructure should be improved before further development.
Serge Rivet strongly supports increasing lot size to protect natural beauty as well as water supply. Pierre Robillard is for 2 acre lots to preserve water.
A suggestion was made to require 6 L-per-flush toilets (or better) for new and replacement toilets to help reduce water use and preserve the water table. It is easy to collect rainwater from roofs for watering the garden. There is at present nothing in the building code to encourage saving water.
Bike path
Although the bicycle path was on the agenda, Dr Amyotte said that there are still some problem areas in deciding the route. He will have more information at the end of October.
Carol Perry asked why the path could not go on Terry Fox. Laurie Perry suggested that the highway should be brought up to par and a bicycle path put along the highway at the same time.
Ditches, roads
Dr Amyotte said that drainage along Marquis will be improved. Ditches and culverts that are the incorrect depth will be corrected.
There are many complaints of speeding on roads including cul-de-sacs such as Davis and Lelièvre — so probably residents are the speeders. The solution seems to be for neighbours to indicate to speeders to slow down, and explain their concerns for child safety, pedestrians and bicycles. The provincial speed limit on gravel roads is 70 km/h. MTQ were asked to reduce the limit to 50 km/h on municipal roads in February, but so far no response.
Fire department
The schéma de risque requires 8 firefighters to be available at Breckenridge - only four are. More volunteers and more training is required. Pontiac has reciprocal agreements with Bristol and Chelsea fire departments, but not Gatineau’s.
Marie-Claude Pineau thanked Dr Amyotte on behalf of all present for taking the time to meet with his constituents - a change from other councillors.