Updating the urban planning program – protection of natural areas

The Town Council adopted, during its meeting on January 10, 2024, draft by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024, which aim to preserve the natural character of the Town of Hudson.

These draft by-laws include provisions related to:

• the felling of trees
• the protection of natural areas, and
• contributions for parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

The adoption of these draft by-laws will also end the interim control by-law (“RCI”) in effect since the spring of 2022.

How do the new environment protection draft by-laws impact you?

There are three areas of note:

Protection of trees:

• Increased restrictions on tree cutting (when, where, what size), and
• New restrictions on the cutting of identified remarkable trees.

Protection of wetlands:

• Prohibition on the filling of a wetland for residential purposes and,
• For vacant lots, the buffer zone increases from 10 m to 15 m.

Financial contribution for parks and natural areas:

Expansion of the categories for which a payment of this contribution is required. These new categories include:

• New home construction (including after demolition),
• Major renovations in existing residential homes,
• Expansion of commercial buildings, and
• Change in the usage of a house or a building.

January 31, 2024, public presentation

• Presentation of draft by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024 (PowerPoint document).
• Consult the video recording of the presentation of draft by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024.

Information panels on display during the two Open Houses:

YOU ARE INVITED

to express your views on these draft by-laws by participating in the following manner:

1. 1. Come and gather information at the open houses, scheduled for January 25th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and January 27th from 9 a.m. to noon. You will learn more about the new regulatory provisions aimed at preserving the natural character of the Town of Hudson.
   2. Engage with your fellow citizens and participate in the public dialogue on January 31st at 7 p.m. A presentation of these new draft by-laws and a question period are planned. *Due to the participatory nature of this event, the presentation and question period will be recorded but not live-streamed. The recording will be available on the Town’s website on February 2nd.
   3. Share your perspective by completing the online or paper questionnaire available from February 1st to February 14th. Your feedback will help inform the Town Council’s decision for the final adoption of the draft by-laws scheduled for April.

Documents

• Invitation to Hudson residents
• Communiqué – January 19, 2024
• Explanatory Sheet: Contributions for parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.
• Map of the Central Sector.
• Presentation of draft by-laws 767-2024 and 768-2024.

By-laws open for public consultation:

• By-Law 767-2024 amending Zoning By-Law 526, subdivision By-Law 527, Permits and Certificates By-Law 529, Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programs (SPAIP) By-Law 571

• By-Law 768-2024 on comprehensive development programs