MONTREAL – Some Dorval residents are mobilizing to try and stop a six-storey condo building from going up on du Bord de Lac Road and Cloverdale Avenue.
For months, a group of residents have voiced their opposition to the development and said they are now one step closer to forcing a referendum that could see the project halted.
Gaël Cochennec has been going door-to-door and said he’s talked to about 300 residents about the upcoming signing of registries on April 12.
He insisted he wants to try and stop the project, which would go right next to his condo building, blocking his view.
“I’m not saying that putting a building over there was a great idea, what I’m saying is let’s stop making mistakes, ” Cochennec said.
Because the project is in the Dorval Village, developers needs the city to change the zoning bylaw to build the condos.
Under current zoning laws, condos in the area can’t be any taller than three storeys.
The proposed building would be six storeys and public consultations held in January found opposition to the project.
READ MORE: Consultation set to discuss Dorval condo project
If enough signatures are collected at the registries on Apr. 12, a referendum could be held on the issue.
The interactions during consultations have left a bitter taste in Florence Bordage’s mouth.
“The impression we get from the meetings is that somehow, somewhere, it’s not kosher what’s going on with the city and the future proprietors,” Bordage said.
Cochennec and Bordage both agreed putting the building up would also increase traffic into the quiet area.
“I’m not looking forward to seeing my daughter playing on this street with big trucks,” Bordage said.
“Kids are not gonna be able to play on this street anymore.”
The project’s architect insists the building would help bring new life to the area and is disappointed people are trying to kill it.
“Being obstructed by a few people for the common good of the city, I think it’s rather unfair,” Stefano Domenici told Global News.
“The project, as a whole, would be a benefit to the village especially.”
Cochennec doesn’t buy that argument.
“That was the excuse that was used when they built our building at 795, yet stores are closing in downtown Dorval,” he said.
Global News was told only Dorval’s mayor could provide a comment from the city and tried to contact Mayor Edgar Rouleau, but he was unavailable for comment.