NORTH HATLEY

Responding positively to Blue Massawippi’s comments on the importance of the lake to North Hatley, the council chose today to postpone the adoption of its strategic plan in order to continue its reflection following public consultation and the presentation of the draft plan in mid-February.

Blue Massawippi Board Chair Patrick Fréchette emphasized the leadership of Mayor Michael Page: "Writing a strategic plan is as difficult as it is fundamental. Many things are obvious, sometimes too obvious, and it's easy to forget them. The role of public consultation is to bring us back to the basics. The Council is showing great openness by continuing its collaboration with its key partners.”

Strategic planning in North Hatley began more than a year ago. A significant exercise complicated by the pandemic. At the council's request, Blue Massawippi submitted its comments on February 22, a few days after the draft plan was tabled.

Blue Massawippi suggests that North Hatley should position itself as a leader in the protection of the lake, an element essential to its social, economic, cultural and environmental vitality.

A meeting between Blue Massawippi and Mayor Michael Page, as well as with members of the planning committee, is scheduled to take place in the coming days.

Recalling that North Hatley wishes to develop a vision for the next ten years, the Executive Director of Blue Massawippi, Michèle Gérin, makes no secret of her satisfaction at seeing the relationship solidify between the municipality and the organization she leads: "The mayor made it clear this evening that for him, the lake is as important as it is for us. Now, it only needs to be written down. North Hatley is the first of the five municipalities around the lake to plan its future so carefully. This may well mark a turning point for the future of Lake Massawippi by putting the lake rightfully on its priority list. »

AYER'S CLIFF

" All these facts, arguments and comments, often constructive, have led the Council to reconsider the social acceptability and the basis for the changes under consideration. "

Ayer's Cliff Municipal Council issued a press release immediately following last night's meeting to share its decision to defer the adoption of the zoning change at the Ripplecove until further notice. This is great news.

Clearly, upon reading the press release, Council takes a firm position to the effect that it will never adopt the by-law under the current conditions: «The Council concluded that the projects, as currently drafted, do not adequately meet the appropriate precision criteria for sound management of this territory, including adjacent areas. »

In doing so, Ayer's Cliff responds favourably to the arguments of Blue Massawippi and close to 70 citizens who participated in both the written consultation and the information session by videoconference on February 9th.

However, the Council adds that the idea of reducing the density and type of clientele by allowing residential use still seems to be the best one. This will obviously not be done without conditions and specific commitments from the developer.

Ayer's Cliff therefore believes that it is «necessary and urgent to review with the proponent all possible changes and planned achievements in order to find the best compromise and thus respond to the best interests of the wider community. »

There is still a lot to be done, the file remains complex and will need to be closely monitored. But the tone and openness shown in Ayer's Cliff last night is reassuring for the future.

MORE THAN EVER, our work with municipalities makes a difference, help us to keep on standing for Lake Massawippi.

ONLINE

By E-transfer (free of charge) : bleumassawippi@lacmassawippi.ca

BLUE MASSAWIPPI IN THE MEDIA

Read the February 26 edition of La Tribune concerning North Hatley's strategic plan.

La Tribune