Canada/One step closer to a green residential project in Saint-Élie

A residential project in Sherbrooke's Saint-Élie sector could be on the horizon. Elected officials voted 12-2 in favor of opening Rue du Castor, which will link the 21 new residential lots to Chemin Rhéaume.

The lot's co-owner, Pierre-Luc Bernier, acquired it eight years ago. At the time, he imagined that his project would come to fruition more quickly.

Initially named Domaine La Vallée d'Orford, the project included 50 lots. It was rejected by the Commission des municipalités du Québec, which instead imposed a set of 21 lots. However, with these new conditions, it was impossible for the owners to make the project profitable while protecting the wetlands on the property.

Councillors Christelle Lefèvre and Geneviève Laroche helped Pierre-Luc Bernier by putting him in touch with Appalachian Corridor. The organization could thus purchase 79 acres of land, or 42% of the total surface area of the estate, to protect it in perpetuity. However, this transaction has not yet been finalized.

Ideally, we'd protect everything, but that means the city would have to buy the land. We don't have those means. Plus, it's a development that was authorized before the mergers and that the city was committed to respecting. At some point, you have to work with what you have," explained Christelle Lefèvre.

The wetlands on the lots would be protected by a clause in the deed. In this way, 99% of the estate's wetlands will be protected.

An eco-responsible estate

The vision of what is now called Écodomaine Florès is to create an ecological neighborhood. Future lot owners will be required to subscribe to an architectural and environmental charter. For example, only noble materials such as wood and metal may be used for exterior cladding.

The properties will be designed by the UrbanÉco firm, of which Pierre-Luc Bernier is also co-owner, and will all have LEED certification, which guarantees that the homes are environmentally efficient.

A footpath will link the estate's properties to the future extension of Parc national du Mont-Orford, in the Lac Montjoie sector.

Construction of Rue du Castor is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks, with completion before winter.

Pierre-Luc Bernier hopes the first residents will be able to move in by summer 2026. Some of the 21 lots of the Florès Ecodomain are already reserved.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/