I have been a West Island resident for more than 45 years and a Pointe-Claire resident since 2016. I am a travel agent and an independent consultant in international education partnership development. I respect and am very concerned about the environment. I live in the area near Fairview and across from the “forest,” so I have a real stake in this discussion.

That said, I do believe in reasonable, sane, environmentally sound development. There is a need for clearly stated criteria when our city council discusses and decides on project proposals for development. It is not acceptable to base their stance on emotion or the demands of their political supporters, or to let certain individuals take up most of the public time at question period arguing the mayor’s position, preventing opposing views from being properly heard. Development is an important issue and deserves full deliberation. Three-plus years of consultation is not deliberation; it is a stalling tactic in the hopes that a developer will just go away.

The plans that a developer put forth for part of the parking lot at Fairview are public. I support this development, with certain conditions. The plan that has been distributed shows the addition of dozens of trees, a large green space, gardens, and other environmentally-friendly elements. What we have now at Fairview is an Urban Heat Island (UHI).

UHIs have been studied extensively by government agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put out several studies on the effects of UHIs. Some of the negative implications are increased energy consumption as temperatures go up with greater demand for air conditioning; elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases; compromised human health and comfort, especially in the elderly and in very young children; and impaired water quality.

Some of the solutions suggested by the EPA include trees and vegetation, which were included in the development plan presented. Green roofs with vegetation creating additional environmental support. Cool roofs with high solar reflectance. In Quebec, municipalities have access to the government’s OASIS program, which can provide funding for certain types of environmental studies, support, and projects.

These are the types of criteria that should be imposed on projects. A project at Fairview could be beneficial to our neighbourhood and to the city. It would also be an opportunity to put some parking accommodation for REM users. If a parking structure were to be built, both above and below ground, with a green roof and vegetation on the sides, it would be an environmental enhancement as well as an encouragement for more people to leave their cars on the West Island and take the train into town. The entrance could be on the service road area, thus alleviating the inevitable traffic, noise, and increased danger that will occur on Brunswick.

At the end of the day, we can have the forest and reasonable, responsible, development. We can keep the “forest” and replace a harmful UHI with greenery, housing, and parking. It would be a boost for the environment, for the neighbours, for encouraging public transit use, and for retailers in the shopping centre. It just takes a more open-minded approach from decision-makers.