The city of Lachute is looking for more land for future public facilities, and it will use pre-emption to get it if necessary.
On September 3, council initiated the process of adopting a regulation governing the exercise of a right of pre-emption by the city and a regulation decreeing capital expenditure and a loan of $6 million for the acquisition of buildings subject to the right of pre-emption and to allow their acquisition by mutual agreement or by expropriation, if applicable.
The right of pre-emption allows the city of Lachute to purchase, in priority over any other buyer, certain buildings or land in order to carry out projects for the benefit of the population, for a period of 10 years. The land or buildings in question could be used for municipal purposes, in particular for sports centres, parks, social and affordable housing, or protecting heritage, the environment and natural areas. These acquisitions could also be used for institutional purposes such as the new schools or public long-term care facilities.
Although the city does not plan any acquisitions in the short term, certain strategic locations have already been identified to be subject to the right of pre-emption. A resolution will follow at the October 7 city council meeting and will identify the targeted locations. Once adopted and entered into force, the borrowing by-law will allow the city to hold the necessary liquidity to exercise its right of pre-emption, considering that following receipt of a notice of intention from an owner to sell their subject building or land, it has a period of 60 days to acquire at the price and under the conditions of the potential buyer’s purchase offer. Of course, this borrowing regulation constitutes a possibility of using funds, but as long as the city does not proceed with the purchase of a building or land subject to the right of pre-emption, no amount will be committed, and no repayment of the loan will be necessary.
Any property owners affected by this measure will receive a letter containing all the important details. Information meetings are also planned between the city and certain owners of targeted buildings or land. In addition, the owners concerned will receive, where applicable, a copy of the notice of subjection that identifies the buildings or land affected and describes the purposes for which they could be acquired.
