City leases land for composting

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position recommending approval of a one-year lease to the Société environnementale de Côte-des-Neiges (SOCENV). The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The lease would let SOCENV use 957 m² of city land in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, free of rent, for composting activities for residents.

  • The term would run retroactively from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
  • Either party could end the lease with two weeks’ written notice.
  • SOCENV would pay operating costs and any applicable property taxes.

What it means for you#

  • Residents: The lease would allow SOCENV to continue composting activities for residents at the site. The decision does not set out how residents can take part.
  • SOCENV: It would get rent-free use of the site, subject to the lease terms.
  • Taxpayers: The city would provide a rent subsidy valued at $13,428 for the year. This is the value of the free use, not a stated cash payment.

Money#

The free occupancy is valued at $13,428 for the one-year term; the materials give no estimate of other public costs.

  • SOCENV would pay operating costs and property taxes, if applicable.
  • City staff say the city would not need to maintain this part of the land during the lease.

What is unclear#

  • The full lease terms are not included, beyond the two-week termination notice and the costs assigned to SOCENV.
  • The materials do not specify what public activities must be offered, or how residents can access them.
  • The materials do not give a separate estimate of administrative or other city costs.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease would support composting, urban agriculture and public activities for residents, and allow food scraps from the nearby Multicaf community cafeteria to be processed.
  • Staff also say the city would not need to maintain the land during the lease.

Case against#

  • The city would provide free use of land with a stated value of $13,428, rather than collect rent.
  • A two-week termination notice gives either party a short period of notice; the materials do not explain how that would affect activities at the site.