Action Plan for the Development of Sustainable Neighbourhoods on Vacant Lots in Downtown Bromont

The City of Bromont's sustainable development plan (SDP) includes a commitment to review its Master Plan and bylaws. As part of this commitment, the City of Bromont wants to produce a development plan for sustainable neighbourhoods on downtown vacant lots. These lots that are grouped into four sectors. Bromont would like this plan to demonstrate the possibility of developing land, most of which is former wasteland, while avoiding urban sprawl in the natural environment of Mont Brome, as has occurred in recent years. The vision for downtown will provide the Council with tools to defend a smaller urbanization perimeter and control urbanization of the territory. To support its efforts, the City will develop a global vision; it will determine the priority principles for each sector to be developed and ask professionals to prepare master plans for each lot that will serve as development plans to be included in the Bromont Master Plan as Special Planning Programs. Thus for each lot, Bromont will establish targets and initiatives for green infrastructure, energy, waste, runoff, active transportation, environmental protection, and environmental performance of buildings. The objectives, targets and initiatives will be chosen based on the criteria of the charter of eco-neighbourhoods established by "Vivre en Ville", and "Habitation durable", a program created by the City of Victoriaville. "Vivre en Ville" and the "Association québécoise pour la maîtrise de l'énergie" (AQME) will also be involved in the detailed planning of sectors. Some of the identified initiatives will lead to changes in municipal bylaws, while others are projects for which Bromont will identify those responsible, timelines and costs. The steering committee established for preparation of the SDP will be responsible for the implementation of the development plan for downtown vacant lots. Bromont plans to support this project with a significant contribution in kind, consultants being added to the existing internal expertise. From the social point of view, the development plan will promote the planning of public spaces and the development of safer streets and will strengthen the residents' sense of belonging and community pride. The City also expects to achieve significant economic benefits: reduced infrastructure costs, green technology investment projects, and creation of a foothold in the green construction sector as yet nonexistent in the region. Finally, the development plan will reduce the pressure of urbanization on the natural environment as well as greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. It will contribute to the sustainable management of surface water and make possible composting initiatives. Several Quebec municipalities, including Longueuil and Magog, have already contacted Bromont to enquire about its process of discussion and formulation inspired by The Natural Step used for its SDP. Other municipalities in the Brome-Missisquoi RCM and across Canada could also benefit from this approach. (Project description from original funding application)