FAQ
In this section, you will find answers to frequently asked questions in regards to the Centre-village visionning process. Also, you will find definitions of concepts and procedures relating to the Master Plan, Centre-village and the Specific Planning Programme (SPP). This page will be updated regurlarly.
A - The purpose of the Vision Centre-village process is to give Chelsea residents a voice in planning the future of the Chelsea’s Centre-village. More specifically, the purpose is to develop a vision for the Centre-village that is supported by a broad cross section of Chelsea residents. This vision will be incorporated into municipal bylaws in order to guide day to day decision making.
Q - Why do we need a vision?
A - Recent debates over new development proposals have made it clear that Chelsea does not have a clear vision for the Centre-village that is understood and supported by residents. The fundamental question that underlies issues such as density, traffic circulation, services, environmental and heritage protection and commercial and residential development is what type of Centre-village does Chelsea want in the future? A common vision would guide our decision making on these important issues.
Q - What do you mean by Centre-village?
A - Generally, the vision process is looking at the two historic villages and surrounding areas. These areas include the length of Old Chelsea Rd as well as areas up and down Scott Rd/ Kingsmere Rd and up and down Highway 105. However, part of the visioning process is to hear from residents as to what they consider the Centre-village today and what they want for the future.
Q - Who exactly is doing this vision?
A - You are. The idea behind the visioning process is to get residents to be part of the development of the vision for the Centre-village. A committee made up of citizens from different walks of life was established to come up with a visioning process and to make sure the process runs smoothly. The members of the committee are George Claydon, Meriel Bradford, Luc Poulin, Francine Dalphond, Charles St. Pierre, Todd Evans, Stephen Woodley, Carol Martin, Manuela Teixeira and Yves Menard. Many volunteers are also giving their time to make sure that Chelsea residents’ voices are heard.
A - The visioning process is led by citizens but is being supported by the municipality in a number of ways. The municipality has provided funding for the initiative in order to hire consultants to advise on a visioning process and to provide bilingual facilitation. Municipal staff are providing some essential logistics, administrative and communications assistance. Finally, the deputy mayor is on the citizen’s committee as a liaison with municipal council.
Municipal council and staff are not playing a part in the development of substance of the vision. Once a draft of the vision is completed by Chelsea residents, it will be presented to council who will ultimately have to decide whether to incorporate it into the revised Master Plan and associated bylaws.
Q - Is this going to cost money? Are my taxes going to go up?
A - It is likely that the vision for the Centre-village will contain aspects that do not cost any money, (such as setting parameters for housing density) and items that would cost money (such as traffic calming infrastructure). However, the vision itself does not impose any new costs. All decisions on spending would have to follow the normal budget process.
Q - What is a planning programme? (better known as the Master Plan)
A - The planning programme (PP) is the planning document that establishes the guidelines of the space and physical organization of a municipality while presenting an overall vision of it’s land-use planning. (Reference: Ministère des affaires municipales, des régions et de l’occupation du territoire).
Q - What is the process?
A - The vision process involves 4 distinct phases:
Phase 1 – Asking residents about what they value in the present, what they hope for in the future (October 2009 to February 2010)
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Web site
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Neighbour to neighbour meetings
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Formal presentations aimed at community groups
Phase 2 – Validating responses, developing strategies (February 2010)
- Citizens Forum and discussion groups on themes identified in Phase 1
Phase 3 – Getting specific- mapping out a vision (March 2010)
- Charettes Exercise
Phase 4 – Incorporating the results of the vision process into Chelsea’s Master Plan
- Municipal process with its own consultation process (April to December 2010)
Q - What is a Citizen’s Forum?
A - The Citizen’s Forum will be an opportunity for Chelsea residents to come together and discuss the results of the consultations to date- what are the common themes and what are some of the new ideas. It will also be an opportunity to get into more detail on certain subjects that came up during the initial consultations such as traffic, cycling and pedestrian access or village design. More information on the Citizen’s Forum will be on the web site in early February.
Q - What is a special planning programme (SPP)?
A - The special planning programme (SPP) is a component of the planning programme (better known as Master Plan). The planning programme is in reference to the overall planning of the municipal land-use, while the SPP enables to bring precisions in regards to the planning of certain areas that give rise to a very special attention from Municipal Council. It could be, for example, the development of a new residential, industrial or a centre-town area. (Reference: Ministère des affaires municipales, des régions et de l’occupation du territoire).
Q - What is a design charrette?
A - Design charrettes are becoming an increasingly popular part of the urban planning process. They bring together a diverse range of expertise – such as architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners, content specialists, educators, students, community representatives, governmental staff and civic leaders – to collaborate on creating innovative design solutions that embody multiple objectives and mutual interests. Design charrettes give visual form to ideas and policies and are effective in generating creative solutions to difficult problems in the least amount of time.
Q - How can I make sure my views and comments are taken into account?
A - You can participate in a number of ways, including letting us know of your interest in being actively involved or just wanting to be informed. Our website will have additional information about the process for involving Chelsea’s residents.