Committees

Consult by-law 1575 to establish a Planning Advisory Committee

Role

The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) of the City of Westmount, given its exceptional built and landscape heritage, plays a significant role in its preservation and enhancement by ensuring that any development or modification respects the unique historic character of Westmount. The PAC acts as an advisory committee to City Council by providing recommendations on all applications subject to discretionary by-laws (SPAIP, minor exemption, SCAOPI, demolition and requests for zoning amendments).

Main Responsibilities

In order to formulate a recommendation to City Council in accordance with by-law 1305 on Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programmes (SPAIP) of the City of Westmount, the PAC reviews renovation, restoration and construction projects to ensure that they comply with the principles of architectural integration established in the by-law, while harmonizing with the built and natural environments that constitute the distinctive character of the City.

The PAC also provides recommendations to Council on applications for minor exemptions, SCAOPI, demolition and zoning amendments, with a particular focus on the potential impact on built heritage and landscapes. It ensures that any changes are compatible with the historic character of Westmount.

Composition

The PAC is composed of the following members appointed by resolution of City Council:

• Two (2) members of City Council;
• Five (5) other members, of whom three (3) must be architects, one (1) must be an urban planner and one (1) must be an urban planner, an architect or a professional in a related discipline.
• Two (2) substitute members, one (1) of whom is chosen from among the members of City Council.

Important Information

• Only applications that are complete and in compliance with the regulations (e.g. zoning, site planning and architectural integration programmes) may be presented to the PAC.
• To plan the architectural concordance of your major project (e.g. new construction, building expansion, substantial window and door replacement), please contact the Urban Planning Department at permis@westmount.org
• The PAC will issue a favourable or unfavourable recommendation to City Council, which will then approve or refuse the application. Please note that the PAC may also defer its recommendations in order to obtain a revision to the proposal to better meet regulatory requirements.
• Once an application has been approved by Council, certain documents relating to construction or coordination may be required before the issuance of a permit.

Meeting Schedule

• Major applications (e.g. new construction, extension, substantial replacement of windows and doors), require longer analysis. Documentation for this type of application must therefore be submitted at least two (2) weeks BEFORE the deadline for submitting regular applications.
• Following Council’s decision, please allow one week for the issuance of the resolution detailing said decision.

Consult PAC meeting minutes

Role

The mission of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (ESDC) is to issue recommendations to the City Council on matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development in Westmount.

In particular, the ESDC will make recommendations on policies to put in place regarding:

• Protecting and improving the quality of Westmount’s natural environment, flora, and fauna;
• The management of residual and waste materials;
• The shift to renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions by and in the City;
• Measures to boost the City’s resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis.

Composition

The Committee, consisting of up to seven (7) members, will include up to three (3) members of the public, two (2) from the City administration, and three (3) from City Council.

Consult ESDC meeting minutes

Role

The City of Westmount cares about the health and safety of its citizens, and is committed to maintaining the quality of life of its residents. The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) reviews requests from citizens, the administration or any other organization raising any needs or concerns regarding traffic and road signage.

Main Responsibilities

Any duly completed application, with respect to speeding, traffic, mitigation requests, shutdowns, markings or parking problems, will be analyzed according to a rigorous process and will be discussed by the TAC.

When required, the City may conduct studies and analysis, research solutions and coordinate projects, all in accordance with applicable laws, standards and policies.

Submit a traffic request or complaint

Composition

The TAC is made up of elected City officials, City administrators and representatives from the Public Safety Department.

Important Information

The following guide was developed to facilitate and clarify the decisional process for all traffic and active transportation requests that are presented to the TAC. This includes, but is not limited to, the following complaints or requests:

• Speeding
• Increased vehicular volumes and through traffic
• Traffic calming measures
• Traffic lights
• Stop signs
• Signage and street marking
• Parking

This guide was developed based on the principles outlined in Westmount’s Traffic Calming Guide as well as in the Master Traffic and Active Transportation Plan. As per these plans, the objective of the TAC is to assess and evaluate each request and, where applicable, implement an appropriate and corrective measure. The benefits of such measures are not limited to simply managing speeds and reducing traffic volumes, but can include positive impacts on air pollution, noise and vibrations, accidents and pedestrian safety.

Traffic request decisional process

Consult TAC meeting minutes

Consult by-law 1607 to establish Westmount’s local heritage council

Role

The mandate of the Westmount Local Heritage Council (LHC), established in 2016, consists in providing recommendations to City Council on any matters relating to identifying and protecting Westmount’s heritage, in accordance with the powers provided for in Chapter IV of the Cultural Heritage Act. City Council must be made aware of said recommendations, but is under no obligation to ratify them.

Main Responsibilities

The applications and files that are submitted to the LHC may concern the recognition of a heritage property, the identification of elements of intangible heritage, etc. The LHC also encourages the development of projects that raise awareness of cultural heritage. The LHC has initiated several projects, including the recognition of the Glen Viaduct as a heritage immovable (by-law 1509) and the Houses of Worship Project.

Furthermore, when the Demolition Committee is presented with an application relating to an immovable subject to the by-law concerning the demolition of an immovable, the LHC issues a recommendation to the Demolition Committee, but only on the application for authorization to demolish the building. The LHC may also suggest conditions to be included in the Demolition Committee’s decision.

Composition

The LHC is composed of the following members appointed by resolution of City Council:

• Four (4) members chosen for their professional or academic expertise in heritage, or their knowledge of the territory of the City of Westmount, preferably including one (1) member of the Westmount Historical Association;
• One (1) member of City Council;
• One (1) substitute member, member of City Council.