North Hatley moves forward with master plan

North Hatley moves forward with master plan
Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish leads the special council meeting on Jan. 24, 2025, where the contract for North Hatley’s master plan was unanimously approved (Photo : William Crooks)

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Municipality of North Hatley took a significant step toward transforming its village core at a special council meeting on Friday, Jan. 24, at 11:30 a.m. Presided over by Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish and attended by three residents, the council unanimously approved awarding the contract for the realization of a master plan and implementation strategy to Domus Architecture and Urban Design.

The approved contract, valued at $121,298.63, followed a public tender process conducted through Quebec’s SEAO platform. During the question period, a resident asked how many firms had been approached, and council members explained that 20 to 25 firms downloaded the tender documents. By the Jan. 16 submission deadline, three firms had submitted proposals. Domus Architecture received the highest score from the evaluation committee, meeting the required threshold of 70 points.

According to the North Hatley website, the master plan aims to redevelop a 130,000-square-metre area in the village’s core, encompassing landmarks such as the old Baptist Church and the Massawippi River. The project’s scope includes replacing deteriorating structures with environmentally friendly designs, such as cluster housing, permeable parking, and renewable energy solutions. The website emphasizes that the plan is integral to revitalizing North Hatley while adhering to principles of sustainability and economic development.

The recent Jan. 13 council meeting provided additional context about the master plan’s background and funding. During that meeting, attended by 15 residents, speculation emerged about the identity of an anonymous donor offering to fund the plan. Residents expressed concerns over a potential conflict of interest if local developer Richard Laliberté were involved, as his C-4 zoning project stands to benefit from the broader planning efforts. The council, however, denied any connection, explaining that the donation was managed through the Ottawa Community Foundation with Tom Wilcox acting as an intermediary. Mayor Davis-Gerrish stated, “No member of the council knows who the donor is,” and assured attendees that the funding process adhered to transparency and ethical standards.

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