- Protect and enhance the natural environments of the
Rivière à l’Orme ecoterritory
- Foster the harmonious integration of urban
development and road projects with natural environments of ecological value
- Improve road access to the area in order to support
the development of certain parts of the area
- Support urbanization that encourages public transportation and bicycle use
The L’Anse-à-l’Orme area is characterized by rich rural landscapes within the Borough of Pierrefonds - Senneville and by large natural areas of high ecological value: Rivière à l’Orme (the only river on the Island that is bordered by floodplains), wetlands and forests of interest, especially Angell Woods. These natural environments make up the Rivière à l’Orme ecoforest corridor, where development control will be exercised by the City in order to preserve its character and enhance its natural assets.
The area is characterized by nearly 600 hectares of vacant land designated for urban development but not yet serviced by either roads or utilities (water and sewers).
The discontinuity of the road network, combined with the railway and expressway infrastructure, limit access to the industrial areas of Baie d’Urfé and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and to public transportation service at the Baie-d’Urfé and Beaurepaire commuter train stations. In fact, only Saint-Charles provides a continuous north-south link in this part of the Island. The Autoroute 440 right-of-way, located between Boulevard Gouin Ouest and Autoroute 40 and owned by the Ministère des Transports du Québec, limits accessibility of the residential areas in the boroughs of Kirkland and Pierrefonds - Senneville.
Urban development and the required extensions to transportation and other infrastructure could jeopardize the integrity of the area’s ecosystems and the sustainability of its landscapes. In light of this, planning objectives must support a built environment that respects natural heritage while favouring the use of public transportation and bicycles.