Fall 2011
August 9th 2011 will be written into Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s history books. On this day, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP), Mr. Pierre Arcand, officially
announced an agreement with Investissement Quebec, the Montreal Agglomeration and the Town of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue for the protection of 31 hectares in the area of the Rivière à l'Orme. After more than a year and a half of hard work and negotiations, members of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s City Council are proud to note the significant advancement of this priority issue since November 2009. Preserving this area and our heritage remains to be done, but this is an important development and essential for the establishment of a proposed Regional Park.
Meanwhile, we are developing a new plan particulier d’urbanisme (PPU) for the land adjacent to the future Anse-à l'Orme Regional Park. These lands have great potential for development and conservation and the development of a new PPU reflects this shared vision of a more sustainable future. Following the
design charrette that took place April 5 2011, our external urban planning firm began to develop a PPU proposal which will be submitted to the citizens during a public consultation evening. Information regarding this consultation will be published on our website and billboards.
After listening to the concerns of citizens on August 19th 2011 the Société de Transport de Montreal
(STM) created a
new taxi service for the citizens of the north-east sector. This new service, the result of collaboration between our Council and the STM, is a shared taxi designed to facilitate local travel outside of peak hours. This project is a first step in improving overall transit service in north Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. We hope many of you will use the service in order to promote the development and optimization of the transit network in your area.
The city is in the process of “
Moving towards sustainability” and creating a sustainable community development plan. I would personally like to emphasize the citizen participation in the various working groups that have allowed citizens to gather ideas in order to build a common vision for our neighborhoods and our town. It is not too late to come out, get involved and work to develop the vision for the future of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
We have started the 3rd and final phase of
work on rue Sainte-Anne. We will finally be able to enjoy the beauty and excitement and cultural offerings of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue in spring 2012, just in time for summer!
There are still several major issues, including the repairs and reopening of the overpasses (Exit 41, Highway 40 West). We are currently negotiating with the Quebec Ministry of Transport on this issue and therefore are unable to give specific timelines on the outcome of this project.
Not a single day passes without a new great idea or great project. Long ago, we realized that our citizens are our greatest asset, which is why all our actions are carried out with the specific goal of providing
all our residents with a high quality of life. Improvements and construction on our road, pedestrian and cyclist networks can be difficult in the short term, however, we will all be better for it in the long term.
I conclude by highlighting the work of
volunteers involved in our community. Their ongoing work to improve,
help, and lead our community is an undeniable asset to our Town. We can all thank these men and women for making our community,
leisure activities and committees so attractive, vibrant and effective.
Your ideas and comments are always welcome, they make a difference in the welfare of our entire community.
Francis Deroo