WMA gets urban planning insight from Poirier

Joanne Poirier, a professional architect who has been the City of Westmount's Director of Urban Planning since 1991, was the WMA's guest last Tuesday evening, and during her 20-minute talk she explained some of the history of urban planning in Westmount and the architectural rules and regulations that are largely the result of an emphasis the City places on heritage preservation today.

The department, which currently operates on a budget of $980,000, exists primarily to issue building permits, a process which takes place in conjunction with the Planning Advisory Committee.

In 2006, Poirier's department issued 636 building permits. Nearly 1,000 building permits are currently active and have an estimated construction value of $37 million. Last year, the department carried out 6,500 inspections and issued 400 notices of infraction.

"We interact continuously with the public and try to share as much information as legally possible with them," said Poirier. She said it is sometimes difficult for neighbours to accept that not all the proceedings of PAC meetings can be divulged. "We try to avoid difficult situations, but they always come up."

According to Poirier, Westmount's Public Security Department assists with the enforcement of permit regulations, as PSOs go about their duties patrolling the city. "They are sensitized to the fact that when there is building going on, the building permit is supposed to be posted in a visible location," she said.

During a question period, Stan Grossman pointed out that in Montreal West certain homes deemed to have heritage value have been affixed with plaques. "Would Westmount ever consider this?" he asked. Poirier said the idea was discussed by Westmount officials, but that so many buildings in Westmount have heritage value that it might be necessary to put a plaque on every second house.

Hennie Blom asked whether Poirier's department had considered the idea of further developing the old train station at the foot of Victoria Avenue, as the City had initially planned. "It's really up to council to decide if it's a priority and to initiate the project," she answered. "The building is well-protected. For the time being I don't think it's a priority of council."

Responding to another question from Grossman, Poirier confirmed that Westmount's renovation guidelines don't permit the "washing" of exterior walls with excessive light. "Often what happens is that people don't tell us of their plans," she said. "They just go ahead and install it, so we find out after the fact.

"What we try to do then is if there is spot shining on a neighbour's land, we ask them to put a shield to reorient the spot," she added. "If it's a recent installation, we will send an inspector to investigate. If it's something that's been there for many years, it's a bit difficult to intervene many years after the fact."