BEACONSFIELD – A group of Beaconsfield residents created a major roadblock for a 22-townhouse development project when residents signed a register.
Now, the city has to either drop the project or call a referendum.
READ MORE: Residents force registry over Beaconsfield townhouse development
Derrick Pounds is one of the 172 residents who signed the register.
He insisted the city’s plan to build townhouses on the vacant lot is a bad idea.
“If they looked at the objections, that the people have got to the project, there’s too many townhouses, 22 is too many,” he said.
Pounds said the townhouses will create traffic in an already busy area.
“There would be a lot of activity on Prairie Drive and on Beaurepaire, which is already a crowded road,” he said.
READ MORE: Residents upset as Beaconsfield mulls 22-unit development
The lot slated for development is located east of the Beaconsfield shopping centre, near Saint-Charles and Highway 20.
The project had the backing of council and Mayor Georges Bourelle.
He said although the results are disappointing, the residents have made their voices heard.
“It’s disappointing in the sense that certainly it was the type of development that fits in very well, with what we think should be done in Beaconsfield,” he said.
“But people have spoken and we respect that.”
However, the city hasn’t given up on the project just yet.
Bourelle said Beaconsfield may call for a referendum.
“Cost is always a factor when holding a referendum, so we would have to look at the cost and what it would be and would it be worth a referendum,” he said.
The mayor said council will discuss the register results in an upcoming caucus session that will take place towards the end of April.