Hampstead residents vote down apartment development

Hampstead residents vote down apartment project in a landslide Almost 70 per cent of those who voted Nov. 24 said they don’t want a 10-storey apartment complex built on Cote-Saint-Luc Rd. in Hampstead.

MONTREAL -- The citizens have spoken and developers will not be allowed to demolish a building on Cote-Saint-Luc Rd. and build a 10-storey, 90-unit apartment complex in Hampstead.

"I am feeling great, but I want to stay humble because we don't know what can be coming up after," said resident Falicia DelaGuardia, who would have had to move if the project was approved.

Almost 70 per cent of the 862 residents who voted (593 to 267) said no to replacing the building with a new apartment complex seven storeys taller than any in the neighbourhood.

Mayor Bill Steinberg wanted to greenlight the project saying it would have revitalized an area that is rundown and bring in much needed tax revenue.

"This project is not going ahead," said Steinberg. "What the developers are going to do next, I can't tell you. You would have to ask the developers what their plans are next."

The referendum was triggered when residents managed to get more than 10 per cent of registered voters in the area near the proposed development to sign a register calling for a vote. More than 250 people signed the register, which needed only 212 signatures to force a referendum.