GATINEAU IS REVISING ITS LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH ITS RESIDENTS

Gatineau, April 27, 2011. – Gatineau is revising its land use and development plan.

While it may have undergone some amendments in the last few years, the current land use and development plan dates back to January, 2000. The current revision process, which will extend over three years, will bring the plan in line with the new realities, with the Strategic Plan 2009-2014 and with the different municipal policies and initiatives adopted since the municipal merger.

"Revising Gatineau's land use and development plan is an important exercise for elected officials, the municipal administration and all residents given that it defines the guidelines for the city`s organization and development for the coming years. For the first time, this new land use and development plan will take into consideration the notion of sustainable development, and will rely on a significant degree of participation by residents," explained Mayor Marc Bureau.

Community representatives from different areas have agreed to sit on the different committees that have been set up for this exercise.

Four Main Stages

The revision will be divided into four main stages over the next three years:
• Stage 1: spring 2011 – Defining the issues
• Stage 2: spring 2012 – Preparing development scenarios
• Stage 3: winter 2012 – Presenting the first version of the revised plan
• Stage 4: summer 2013 – Presenting the second version of the revised plan

At each stage, residents will get to express their opinions and concerns about Gatineau's development. Different themes will be proposed in order to get the process underway. These will range from the environment to the economy, and will include land use designations, transportation and active transportation, cultivating our heritage and urban growth.

The Public Participation Activities

For the first stage, this spring, the public will be invited to take part in meetings in four different sectors of Gatineau, and in a symposium.

Sector meetings:

• Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors: Monday, May 30, 2011, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Buckingham service centre, 515 rue Charles, council room
• Gatineau sector: Wednesday, June 1, 2011, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Gatineau sports centre, 850 boulevard de la Gappe, room 254
• Hull sector: Monday, June 6, 2011, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 35 rue Laurier, Notre-Dame room A/B
• Aylmer sector: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Aylmer service centre, 115 rue Principale, 5th floor

Symposium:

Friday, June 17, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Holiday Inn Plaza la Chaudière, 2 rue Montcalm

"Residents can have an impact on their neighbourhood's growth and on their city's development," explains Patsy Bouthillette, Municipal Councillor and Chair of the Comité consultatif d'urbanisme. "This is why it is important for them to come and tell us what they want in terms of the development their city and neighbourhood," added Ms. Bouthillette.

An Act respecting Land use planning and development requires that land use plans be revised on a regular basis. The land use and development plan will be adopted in 2013. The Service d'urbanisme et de développement durable will then revise the master plan and the applicable by-laws.

For additional information, visit www.gatineau.ca/schema or call 3-1-1.