The first step leading to the modification of the zoning by-law in the sector of Victor-Guimond, Romain-Gary and Yves-Thériault streets gave rise to a debate against the backdrop of urban sprawl, Monday evening at the Saguenay municipal council.
Two citizens came to the microphone to express their concerns about the housing project that the City is in the process of approving at the request of a developer. One fears finding himself with neighbors behind his residence, while the other believes that protected plant species would be compromised.
Mayor Josée Néron said she was sensitive to the grievances expressed. Regarding the issue of urban sprawl, the first magistrate argued that the vacancy rate in Saguenay has gone from 7.7% in 2017 to around 4% at present. This means, according to the mayor, that there are fewer properties that are struggling to find a taker in the real estate market.
Josée Néron also indicated that Saguenay has measures in place to encourage people to buy older homes.
Chicoutimi councilor Simon-Olivier Côté recalled that the municipal administration had refused several proposals submitted by developers wishing to build new houses.
We have 1,600 lots that would be ready for the City. What we see on the board is only what we allow. Anything that we do not allow we do not see. We recently turned down a 350-unit project because it did not correspond to what we had as a development vision.
In the end, the elected officials agreed to let the zoning modification process go along, but undertook to organize a meeting between the developer and the citizens concerned.
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