Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on the decision titled “Adopter la partie de l'inventaire des immeubles patrimoniaux construits avant 1940…” (adopt the part of the pre-1940 heritage-building inventory for Lachine). It asks the agglomeration council to adopt the inventory of 1,683 buildings in the borough of Lachine; that council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the inventory is intended to meet a legal requirement to identify pre-1940 buildings with heritage value.
- The city council’s vote sets its position; it does not itself adopt the inventory.
- If adopted by the agglomeration council, the listed buildings would be treated as heritage buildings under provincial law and subject to specific provisions in municipal demolition and building occupancy and maintenance rules.
What it means for you#
- Owners of listed buildings in Lachine: If the inventory is adopted, their buildings would be subject to those provisions. The materials do not say what specific restrictions or steps would apply to each property.
- Other residents: The decision does not directly change taxes, fees, or services for residents.
Money#
The Lachine inventory was funded through an agreement that provides for up to $5,000,000 in provincial assistance and an equal city contribution for the agglomeration-wide inventory.
- The materials do not give the cost of the Lachine portion or say that this decision approves new spending.
What is unclear#
- The supplied materials do not include the list of 1,683 buildings, so their addresses cannot be confirmed here.
- The materials do not explain how being listed would affect a particular owner’s plans under the demolition or building rules.
- The provincial assistance and city contribution cover the wider inventory; the amount spent on Lachine is not stated.
Case for#
- City staff say the inventory is required by provincial law. Breaking the work into parts allows the agglomeration to adopt sections as they are completed.
- Recording the buildings could make heritage information available for municipal use. Staff say the information is expected to be published as open data in future.
Case against#
- A listing would bring the buildings under specific municipal rules, but the materials do not explain what those rules would mean in practice for owners.
- The cost for Lachine is not stated, making it hard to assess the expense of this part of the inventory.