Moratorium on new construction to preserve the current capacity of the drinking water network
July 5, 2024
Chelsea’s water and sewer systems are almost at capacity, giving the Municipality no choice but to impose a moratorium on all new construction within the urban perimeter of the Centre-Village limits. City Council passed the resolution at its regular meeting on July 2. The proposed by-law is for a two-year period and is designed to protect the drinking water supply.
The draft version does however include certain exceptions, including construction in the public interest (schools, daycares, health services, etc.) and reconstruction after a natural disaster. Construction and renovation projects already approved under the site planning and architectural integration program (SPAIP) and that have made significant progress will also go forward. To see the details of the exceptions, read Article 6 of the draft by-law.
“The Municipality of Chelsea is facing water and sewer capacity issues,” said Chelsea’s mayor Pierre Guénard, “and this temporary by-law will provide us with an opportunity to address this situation. The Municipality has been upgrading and expanding its water treatment capacity (water, sanitation, and storm drains) for some years now to maintain the long-term viability and availability of services. The decision to impose a moratorium was subject to a rigorous application of the principles of sound management and aims to maintain services and guarantee that our facilities will be around for a long time to come.”
The final by-law should be adopted in late summer or early fall. An information session for merchants and developers who may be affected is scheduled for July 15, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 220, ch. d'Old Chelsea (small school at the MRC des Collines). An information session will then be held in mid-August to give the public answers to their questions.
July 24 - Please note that the information session will be held in October.
