Territorial development

Prior to the revision of the land-use plan, we reached out to citizens through a number of consultation activities to know their hopes and dreams for the future of their city. In 2019, these consultations culminated in the creation of a 20-year vision for sustainable development, which would guide and orient all future documents related to the use and development of land in Saint-Lambert. It reflects a common desire for responsible development that enhances our municipality’s assets while respecting its identity.

The land-use plan must provide a vision for our city that ensures the sustainable development of our territory and includes three interrelated facets: the environment, economic vitality, and social cohesion. It includes measures to both ensure the long-term well-being of the population of all ages and preserve the natural wealth of the territory.

Urban development reaches beyond our city’s borders. The land-use plan must bring Saint-Lambert into compliance with the new requirements of the compliance with the new Schéma d’aménagement et de développement de l’agglomération de Longueuil (Longueuil Agglomeration land-use and development plan), which was adopted in December 2016 and is itself is based on the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal’s Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement (Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan).

It sets out minimum standards that must be integrated into our urban plans and bylaws, ensuring a coherent vision of regional economic, social, and environmental development.

Given that our municipality is completely built up, the only potential for growth lies in the redevelopment and enhancement of the existing territory. One good example is the industrial zone on Saint-Charles Avenue, which, in the wake of the closure of the RONA hardware store and the imminent closure of the Dare cookie factory, gives us a chance to reflect on the future vocation of this sector.

The revamp offers an opportunity to take a bold and exemplary approach to mixed-use development that will balance the needs of current and future populations as well as reduce the burden on taxpayers. In accordance with the Sustainable Development Vision 2035, this approach will focus on redevelopment that is in harmony with Saint-Lambert’s urban village character and that enhances its green spaces.

A land-use plan is a tool that presents a vision for planning and organizing the development of a territory. The Ministère des Affaires municipales et Habitation defines it as follows:

[translation] “A land-use plan is the planning document that establishes the guidelines for the spatial and physical organization of a municipality while presenting an overview of the management of its territory.”

For a city with spaces to develop, this definition makes perfect sense. For Saint-Lambert, however, whose territory has already been completely developed, the definition translates more into the concept of redevelopment.

In fact, Saint-Lambert is a mature city, and we must ensure that its brand image and unique identity are preserved. The land-use plan will therefore provide a vision for enhancing all aspects of our city’s identity (including its heritage and culture) from a perspective of sustainable development with three interrelated facets: the environment, economic vitality and social cohesion.

The construction by-law governs the adoption of higher standards than those established by the Québec Building Code or standards related to buildings or features not covered in the Code.

The subdivision by-law defines the standards and conditions relative to the subdivision and identification of lots.

The permits and certificates by-law sets out the administrative procedures that must be followed to obtain authorization for projects subject to urban planning by-laws.

The zoning by-law allows the City to determine the vocation of the land within its boundaries by parcelling it into different zones. For each zone, the by-law determines the use that may be made of the land and buildings, and establishes a framework for the siting, layout, and appearance of structures.

The by-law relative to site planning and architectural integration programs (commonly referred to by the French acronym, PIIA) defines the qualitative measures used to evaluate projects. It thereby ensures the City’s control over the quality of siting and architectural integration programs and their harmonization with the built environment.

The by-law relative to minor derogations regulates exceptional applications for authorization of a structure or building that is not compliant with the provisions of the various urban planning by-laws.