Summary#
Montréal city council adopted the bylaw closing the alley southwest of 14 Avenue, between De Montigny Street and Sainte-Catherine East, in Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, so it can be transferred to adjoining property owners. The adopted decision also creates a public-utility easement (a legal right to use land for utilities) for telecommunications and energy distribution on specified parts of the site. City staff say the goal is to transfer an alley they consider unnecessary for access to nearby buildings; the decision was adopted unanimously on September 21, 2026.
- The alley lots are to be transferred to adjoining owners for free. City staff report that 17 owners border the alley and that more than two-thirds of them, representing more than two-thirds of the bordering land frontage, supported the transfer.
- The easement covers part of lot 6 708 650, lots 6 708 651–6 708 653, part of lot 6 708 654, and lots 6 708 655–6 708 657.
- After the bylaw takes effect, the city clerk must publish notice and register a certified copy of the bylaw.
What it means for you#
- Adjoining property owners: The decision provides for a free transfer of the alley land to bordering owners. The materials do not set out which owner receives each lot or whether any owner must accept.
- Nearby residents and the public: The alley is being closed as public land for transfer. City staff say it is not essential for access to or rear servicing of nearby buildings.
- Utilities: A public-utility easement is created on the listed land for telecommunications and energy distribution.
Money#
The transfer is free, but the materials give no estimate of the city’s costs or future tax revenue.
- City staff say the transferred lots will allow the city to collect property taxes. No amount is given.
- No cost estimate is provided for the transfer, publication, or registration.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give the date the bylaw takes effect.
- They do not specify the exact allocation of lots among adjoining owners or describe the final transfer documents and conditions.
- The terms of the utility easement, including who may use it and how access will work, are not detailed.
Case for#
- City staff say the alley is not needed for access or rear servicing, so transferring it could avoid the city continuing to manage land that is already occupied by adjoining owners.
- The transfer is free to adjoining owners, and the stated support threshold was met: more than two-thirds of owners and more than two-thirds of the bordering land frontage.
- The easement preserves land for telecommunications and energy distribution.
Case against#
- The city is transferring public land without charge. The materials do not state its value or explain how much property-tax revenue the city expects in return.
- City staff say the alley is not essential for access, but the materials do not describe how closing it affects public access or nearby residents in practice.
- The easement’s terms are not described, so its practical effect on the transferred land is unclear.