Legal procedures envisaged - Beaconsfield urgently requests Québec to withdraw 152 homes erroneously included in flood zones

BEACONSFIELD, QC, July 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Municipal Council held a special meeting yesterday morning at City Hall in order to urgently reiterate its request to the Québec Government to exclude 152 homes erroneously included in the special planning zone (SPZ) for floods.

"There are no homes on our territory that meet the three criteria set out by the government for inclusion in these flood zones, e.g. to have been flooded in 2017 and/or this year, or to be located in the areas mapped for recurring 20-year floods", mentions Mayor Georges Bourelle.

Since the announcement of the Order on June 17 establishing special planning zones for the flood zones, Mayor Bourelle has immediately made representations to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in order to withdraw 197 properties targeted in Beaconsfield. The 45 homes that were withdrawn are not located on waterfront.

"Our history shows that our citizens have never been affected by floods in 2017, 2019 or at any other time. That's a fact. The Ministry's flood zone maps do not withstand a thorough analysis of the actual reality on our territory in Beaconsfield", states the Mayor.

He also points out that this is all the more surprising given that the levels of Lac Saint-Louis are controlled by the St. Lawrence Seaway. The seaway flood level is lower than the flood thresholds of Lac Saint-Louis in Beaconsfield.

"The impact of such a designation has serious negative consequences for the owners not only in financial terms, for it devalues their property, but also at the emotional level due to the concerns and uncertainties this causes. In Beaconsfield, this designation is as erroneous as unjustified."

Mayor Bourelle and Municipal Council are committed to use all means necessary to have the falsely identified properties withdrawn by Québec.

On Monday, the Mayor requested meetings with Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for the Metropolis. A mandate was also given to a law firm in order to determine legal options failing the withdrawal of the falsely identified properties in Beaconsfield.

Aware that its data is erroneous and must be corrected, the Ministry has granted a second revision of its maps by the citizens and the municipalities. The second revision, following the first in July, ends on August 19.

The City will send a letter tonight to the concerned Beaconsfield residents to inform them of the Order and obtain a declaration by them with regard to their individual situation. This information shall be used to defend their interests.

SOURCE City of Beaconsfield

For further information: Mayor's office, 514 428.4410, beaconsfield.ca

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