Belle-Baie

This report details the City of Belle-Baie's strategic efforts to accelerate housing construction and diversify residential offerings, particularly in 2025, and outlines continued efforts for 2026. It presents nine key initiatives focused on increasing residential density, promoting various housing types (including accessory and modular units), facilitating non-residential conversions, and leveraging municipal assets and partnerships for affordable housing. Additionally, it covers modernizing permit processes and updating infrastructure planning. Five new policies are introduced to support these initiatives. The overarching goal is to address housing demand, ensure demographic and economic growth, and build strong, inclusive, and resilient communities.

The meeting centered on the presentation and discussion of the municipal plan, covering the municipality's future vision, regulations, and territory development. Key topics included a review of the planning process, the integration of public consultation comments, and updates on land-use guidelines. The council discussed various zoning categories, environmental protection measures, including biodiversity and coastal preservation, and the enhancement of rural and village centers. Additionally, requests for grants and donations for local community and school programs were addressed, and strategic principles for infrastructure and road network development were presented.

The City Council meeting focused on the presentation of a new municipal plan, detailing the two-year development process, urban planning reforms, and regional collaboration mandates. The discussion included explanations of the zoning order, the integration of public comments and objections, and the methodology for land use classification. The urban planning expert outlined the administrative and zoning chapters of the proposed 280-page document, highlighting provisions for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, as well as specific standards for non-habitable structures and coastal zones. The session also addressed the transition to specification maps for improved clarity in applying zoning regulations and noted future public access to online mapping tools.

The council meeting addressed committee reports and municipal operations. Key topics included the MADO committee's activities, such as safety initiatives for seniors, educational and recreational programming, and provincial accreditation progress. The council discussed the status of surplus municipal land for development, road repair prioritization, and the potential for a formal review of the Founder's Park historical monument to address inaccuracies. Additionally, there were updates regarding the eco-market project, including the potential for a consultant to manage operations, and participation in meetings regarding tax reform, land valuations, and coastal zone resilience.

The council held a meeting to deliberate and vote on the municipal plan and the zoning order. Discussions included potential modifications to the municipal plan, specifically regarding the inclusion of wetlands protection indicators and the regulation of public and institutional facilities within residential areas. The council also addressed revisions to the zoning order to allow for residential businesses in certain zones and established collective service zones. There was further debate regarding the need to better incorporate the historical and cultural character of the region into the municipal plan, with a commitment to potential future amendments.