Battle brewing between residents in St-Lazare over green space

MONTREAL – Dunes Lake is likely St-Lazare’s best kept secret.

The pristine man-made lake and the 24 acres of woods surrounding it are owned by a private developer who has expressed interest in building a housing subdivision.

In a move to stop development, the city set aside $1.3 million last year to purchase the property.

But at Tuesday’s city council meeting, St-Lazare decided against saving the woods.

“We’re just heartbroken because, as you see, these are fantastic woods and once they’re gone, they’re gone,” said Karen Acres, a member of Friends of Dunes Lake.

The group managed to get more than a thousand signatures on a petition demanding a referendum on the investment, but the city virtually squashed that idea at the meeting. 

“We have a responsibility to protect our natural habitats, that’s part of St-Lazare’s heritage,” stressed Judy Nagy, the founding member of Friends of Dunes Lake, who has been fighting to save the woods for five years.

The residents fighting to save the woods are blaming the defeat on a smear campaign launched by residents in the neighbouring community of Chaline Valley, who warned that taxes would increase as a result of saving the woods. 

“I think they voted based on fear” said Nagy, who admitted that property taxes would go up by as much as $15 per household per year but added that was well worth the money since there were plans to build a public park.

But some beg to differ.

Josy Ferraro is one of the many residents from Chaline Valley who voted against the project, mostly for fear that it would only benefit a select few who live around the lake.

“They’re trying to use that to create their own private green space because the lake will not be shared with everybody,” said Ferraro.

Chaline Valley residents, many who live in area at risk of landslide, have been asking the city to invest in infrastructure to improve drainage.

And based on Tuesday’s vote, politicians are just as divided as the residents.

“We’re on the other side of the track, we feel neglected when it comes to some of the public works that has to be done around here,” said Ferraro, who moved to St-Lazare 6 years ago, to be close to her parents who live a few doors down.

But others in Chaline Valley wonder why the two issues were ever connected in the first place and believe the battle between residents should be directed at the city instead.

“On its surface I think the idea of buying the land around Dunes Lake looks like a good idea but I would also like to see something done here” says Shaun ,”I don’t think it’s an either or, I think it’s a both and.”

And even members of Friends of Dunes Lake want everyone to get their fair share.

‘Chaline Valley has some major concerns and that’s for the town to help them with however we have our priorities” insisted Nagy.

But unless the city can find an alternative, Dunes Lake could become the name of a new residential community as early as next April.