Outremont’s new bylaw on site planning and architectural integration programs

REMINDER - The public consultation is tonight at 6PM. Here is the Zoom link to the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/91682989361

We look forward to seeing many of you!

This meeting will be an additional opportunity to learn about the project and to share your questions and comments with us. The meeting will be hosted by the work cooperative l'Enclume, accompanied by professionals and elected officials from the borough. You can register for the public consultation meeting through this form. The Zoom link to participate in the meeting will be sent to you by email on June 10th.

Although Outremont was a pioneer in adopting its SPAIP bylaw in 1992, said bylaw is no longer adapted to today's realities. In fact, the current bylaw does not outline objectives, does not provide a framework for contemporary interventions and does not address the notions of ecology and sustainability in the context of the fight against climate change. In 2020, the borough of Outremont has therefore chosen to renew its SPAIP bylaw by proceeding with a complete revision. The current draft bylaw is the result of a year’s work by the borough's urban planning and architecture professionals in collaboration with an urban planning consultant. The members of the Outremont Planning Advisory Committee also participated in the works. At several key moments in the development of the regulatory revision, their expertise was sought. This collaborative approach helped improve the final document.

The new SPAIP bylaw will :

• Protect and preserve the quality of Outremont's built environment, while leaving room for creativity and innovation

• Inform the population and property owners about the Borough's expectations regarding interventions to the built environment

• Focus on a sustainable development of the Outremont territory and integrate the concepts of resilience and ecology

• Remove certain types of works from the SPAIP review process

As an example of projects that are not subject to an SPAIP review:

• Backyard decks at ground level with a height of less than 0.9 metre

• Certain accessory buildings such as sheds and detached garages

• Certain interventions on rear facades, not visible from the street

• The majority of commercial signs

This new approach will accelerate the issuance of these permits and certificates. In addition to the adoption of the new SPAIP bylaw, certain adjustments to the zoning bylaw and the bylaw on permits and certificates are proposed in order to better control the types of work that will not be subject to and SPAIP review.

Here are 5 scenarios to illustrate whether a project requires and SPAIP review or not :

• New construction, change of volume or addition

• Modification of an architectural component, installation of an antenna or an access ramp

• Landscaping work

• Construction or enlargement of a terrace

• Installation, modification or replacement of a sign

Click here to access the case studies.

A FAQ section has been added and we invite you to consult it by following the link in the sidebar.

Do not hesitate to send us your questions or comments.

We will be happy to answer them.

The typomorphological study conducted in 2020 offers a very detailed knowledge of the territory, which is divided into 4 areas and 29 landscape units. This study served as a basis for the definition of the objectives and criteria of the new SPAIP bylaw, based on the landscape characteristics that emerged from it. The 1992 Bisson Study, which identified and qualified the architectural quality of all of Outremont’s buildings, was used to establish the significant architectural features (TAS in french) of the borough. The TAS are subject to specific requirements in the SPAIP bylaw in addition to being subject to the general criteria and objectives.