Michael Sochaczevski may not have the city’s green light for a seven-storey condo project on Du Musée Ave., but he does have patience.
“We’ve been waiting (to develop) for 25 years,” the businessman and developer told The Gazette Friday. “And we will not build a less-than-magnificent project in the Golden Square Mile.
“We’re disappointed that a few dozen people stopped development in this city.”
Sochaczevski made his remarks in the wake of a meeting with Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay during which he was told the city was withdrawing its support for his plan to build a condo development on the site of the Redpath Mansion on du Musee Ave., a property his family has owned for 25 years.
Sochaczevski referred questions on just how Tremblay justified the city’s sudden about-face on the project to the mayor himself. But on Friday, those questions were being fielded by longtime city councillor Sammy Forcillo who, while acknowledging that a bylaw allowing the Redpath project to exceed city’s 16-metre height restrictions by nine metres had already passed two readings, added that “new facts” had compelled the borough council to change its mind.
Those new facts took the form of fears raised during the past two weeks by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts that a 25-metre-tall condo project on the flank of Mount Royal would mar the view offered by the observation deck that will top its $40-million annex, a view allowing visitors a clear vista of the St. Lawrence River on one side and the mountain on the other.
Late last month, Sochaczevski issued a press release saying he had commissioned an architect to assess what effect his project would have on that view, and determined “that the proposed seven-storey building will not in any material way block the view from the museum window, and in fact for three of four seasons will not be visible at all through the existing foliage.”
Forcillo said photos provided by the museum and Sochaczevski were submitted to the city’s urban planning department.
“They were the ones who analyzed the photos … and they recommended (the project) be rejected,” he said, “I think there’s a wisdom there, the museum is a public asset, an asset used by a lot of citizens.
“When we govern, we don’t just take decisions for today, but for the future.”
At the museum, they were happy enough with the decision that was announced on Friday.
“For us, this is exactly what we’ve been asking for,” said museum spokesperson Danielle Champagne, referring to the city’s decision not to modify its height restrictions to construction in the area, “I believe the museum, the residents of du Musée Ave. and all citizens of Montreal who care about preserving our heritage will be happy.
“I think … the mayor and the borough council realized just how damaging (the project) could be for the museum.”
The Redpath Mansion was partially demolished in 1986, but saved by the efforts of the local preservation group Heritage Montreal.
Today, what’s left of the building is crumbling.
Sochaczevski said no other development was planned for the site. Asked if he planned to challenge the city’s decision, he replied: “It’ not about challenging the city, it’s about working with the city to build the project.”
Projet Montréal, which last month tabled a motion urging Tremblay to stop the project, noted in a communique issued Friday that it was satisfied with the mayor’s action.
But it added that steps needed to be taken to protect the Redpath Mansion, a site it described as a “magnificent historical building.”
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