The planned site is the new commercial set controlled by the Custeau group south of Highway 610, where the new Canadian Tire store recently deployed.
The rumors of moving had been persistent for a few years for the Walmart of the ninety galleries, cramped in a building which has become aging.
The project presented at the session of the Central Urban Planning Advisory Committee (CCU) of June 19 provides for a large area store making 13,260 square meters of floor. As a comparison, it is similar to the area of Costco installed on the Saint-Joseph plateau, but still less than the other Walmart present at this place.
The parking lot planned for the Fleurimont branch is still 572 boxes, a number that has displeased certain members of the CCU who had already expressed themselves in the past in favor of an urban vision less centered on the automobile for future projects.
It was notably pointed out that, generally, the vast parking lots bordering large -scale shops are almost never full, and that a pooling would also be possible with other shops in the sector, from which the Canadian draws.
Visibly eager to avoid the turn of their last similar discussion, held in May around another commercial project on the edge of the 12th avenue, the members this time unanimously agreed to recommend the project as presented … Without any enthusiasm, however noted the chairman of the committee, Geneviève La Roche.
“It reminds us of the urgency of the work that we are doing right now with the urban plan, but also with the regulatory overhaul […] So that we no longer feel trapped, ”she commented to illustrate the gap between the desired vision and the reality imposed by current regulations once again, which proves to be out of the respect.
Only the citizen member Kevin Daigle expressed a clearly unfavorable opinion, deploring to receive in the play “fragments of what is happening in the sector” without a real vision. “It will not be a pride for Sherbrooke,” he also dropped by speaking of the specific project, and still admitting a restraint. However, he did not participate in the formal vote since he had to leave in the meantime, hence unanimity.
Without opposing or issuing binding conditions, the rest of the CCU, however, sent the message that it would be relevant to return to the minimum parking standard required by the city, which would make some forty boxes less, to try to make the sector a little more user -friendly for active mobility, and why not think about a green roof on this imposing surface?
We stay here in the suggestions, especially since the parking standard is only a minimum, and that no maximum exists. Again, we are not in unknown terrain if we compare with what was done in terms of major commercial projects in recent years in Sherbrooke. The Walmart du Plateau Saint-Joseph offers 800 parking spaces, and no less than 900 for Costco.
In terms of improvements as to space 610, there is a green surface of 22 % on the lot where the Walmart will be set up, in particular thanks to greenery islands installed through the vast parking lot.
The file will soon return to the municipal council for approval.
