The City will frame the architecture of the University sector
The City seeks to protect the built environment of a neighborhood where houses were built between 1960 and 1980.
Share September 13, 2020 5:36 p.m. Updated at 11:44 p.m. Share The city will frame the architecture of the University sector
Jonathan Custeau La Tribune SHERBROOKE – The City of Sherbrooke does not want any more construction or renovation of buildings that hardly fit into the existing architecture of the Université de Sherbrooke district. It proposes to modify its by-law on site planning and architectural integration so that all projects in this sector are submitted to the planning advisory committee for approval.
In technical terms, a new area will be subject to a site planning and architectural integration plan (PIIA) to oversee the transformations of a sector that is qualified as highly dynamic.
“This is very good news for residents who live in built environments from the 1960s to 1980s and whose homes represent a unique heritage that deserves to be protected. I am very proud of the result. I had to experience a situation in my district, which aroused a lot of reactions following the construction of a building that did not fit well into the built environment of the area, ”explains councilor Paul Gingues.
In municipal documents, an example is given of multi-storey apartment buildings with a modern feel, but having been built next to small red brick houses.
The buildings affected by this new measure are located in the quadrilateral formed by rue Marie-Léonie, rue Galt Ouest, Desnoyers and Roy, in addition to the area delimited by rue Caron, boulevard de l'Université and rue Béliveau.
“The targeted areas in the university district are those whose authorized uses are more heterogeneous. Indeed, these are more conducive to undergoing transformations of their frameworks built with a view to densification of existing buildings or even new construction. This phenomenon is less favorable in neighboring areas where only isolated single-family dwellings are authorized ”, we read in municipal documents.
Paul Gingues underlined the opening of the town planning division in this case and believes that the real estate heritage of his district will thus be better protected.
“Any modification or construction request must go through the borough's advisory planning committee and the central planning advisory committee,” he concludes.
