Pierrefonds-Roxboro condo development encounters opposition

WATCH: Opposition parties are voicing their concern over a proposed housing development announced for the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough last week. The main issues stems from a wide swath of land that remains in private hands.

PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO – The massive housing project being proposed for the western section of Pierrefonds is full of “ethical loopholes”.

That’s what opposition leader Luc Ferrandez of Projet Montreal says and he wants to see the project come to a halt.

The venture will see 6,475 new homes rise. Half of the land — 180 hectares — is currently zoned as green space.

But within that eco-territory is a residential strip of land that runs in between the conservation land and the proposed housing project.

That piece of land  has alleged ties to organized crime.

According to a report featured in the Montreal Gazette, the property in question is owned by a group of people and companies that are linked to a who’s who of the Montreal Mafia.

Ferrandez questions why the land was not expropriated and why it has been zoned residential.

“Even if it were owned by nuns, we would have a problem” said Ferrandez. “You don’t zone a field that you want to turn into a residential park,” he said in a press conference this morning.

Russell Copeman, member of the Executive Committee responsible for urban planning and housing says the City doesn’t need to own the land to stop the owners from developing.

“It has been identified since last September as land to be protected,” he said.

“We believe we have all necessary tools to prevent development on that land and there will be no negotiations with the current owner.”

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The city says it hasn’t discussed with the owners since 2011.

“Alleged links with organized crime reinforces our desire to not have discussions with these people,” said Copeman.

The second issue according to Ferrandez is that David Cliche, a former consultant for the city on this project, is now the lobbyist for the developers.

Ferrandez urged the city to find a solution.”Go for public consultations,” he suggested.