Plan to redevelop southeast divides Westmount residents
District 8 Councillor Kathleen Kez, who represents the area slated for densification, addresses the proposal
By Irwin Rapoport
July 24, 2025
Westmount‘s controversial plan to redevelop the southeastern section of the city, adjacent to downtown Montreal, is dividing residents due to its focus on densification, which, if implemented, would completely alter the neighbourhood’s look and character.
The redevelopment plan is now an electoral issue for the mayoral race with District 6 Councillor Mary Gallery vehemently in favour of it, keen on passing the Southeast Special Planning Program at the September 8 council meeting, while Lynne Casgrain opposes the plan and is calling for the vote to be delayed until after the November 2 municipal election, along with additional public consultation. This Suburban article, Gallery, Casgrain run for Westmount mayoralty, provides details on the positions of the candidates. This CTV News report features both mayoral candidates.
Southeast development Intervention site – Image: courtesy of the City of Westmount
The plan calls for the construction of residential towers on the north side of Dorchester (four seven-storey buildings), the north side of Tupper (two to three 10-storey buildings), and the south side of Ste. Catherine (four 20-storey buildings and one 24-storey building). The Q&A section below provides more details.
More than 200 residents attended a public meeting on June 18 at Victoria Hall, where Mayor Christina Smith and city officials presented the plan and took questions. Westmounters, pro and con, and undecided, definitely had their say. Former Mayor Karin Marks stressed that the September vote be delayed until after the election so that the new council has time “to complete the project.” This Suburban article, Westmount council presents development plan in Town Hall setting, covered the meeting.
The plan is opposed by former Mayor Karin Marks, former Mayor Peter Trent, Julia Gersovitz, professor at McGill’s School of Architecture and a former chairperson of Westmount’s planning advisory committee, and five others. They penned a December 16, 2024, Gazette op-ed, entitled Opinion: Development plan for Westmount’s southeast sector must be rejected. Phyllis Lambert, founding director of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, also voiced opposition.
Residents have been discussing and pondering the merits and negatives for many months. There are multiple factors at play, and proponents and opponents have examined them and their implications. No one questions the necessity for redevelopment, but they differ on the vision.
It appears that a majority of the council supports the plan, including outgoing Mayor Smith. As noted, the issue is a major theme of the mayoral campaign. Time will tell if this translates into passionate and tight council races.
Built form heights southeast project – Image: courtesy of the City of Westmount
To better understand the ongoing discussion, District 8 Councillor Kathleen Kez, whose district covers the southeast section, provided some insights in the Q&A below:
WM: What is the current situation regarding the plan to revamp the southeastern section of Westmount?
Kez: A Special Planning Program (SPP, PPU in French) was announced in 2023 for a portion of the southeast sector targeting two specific areas: St. Catherine Street between Wood and Atwater, which is in desperate need of attention and revitalization, and Tupper Street and the north side of Dorchester. This SPP allows Westmount to amend its Planning Program and reimagine its southeast sector.
Following two public participation activities (consultations) held on June 12, 2024, and November 14, 2024, residents were given the opportunity to post their comments online regarding the preliminary proposed plan from November 2024 to January 9, 2025. On June 18, the final plan was presented at a Public Assembly. This final plan continues to raise controversy.
WM: What is the current plan for the Southeast?
Kez: In a nutshell, the current plan calls for:
St. Catherine Street between Wood Avenue and Atwater: Four 20-storey towers on the south side of the street and a 24-storey structure (possibly 29 storeys) on the north side of the street.
Tupper Street between Gladstone and Atwater: Two or three 10-storey buildings on the north side.
North side of Dorchester between Greene and Atwater: Four seven-storey buildings, with a possibility of one being 12 storeys.
Homes on the south side of Dorchester facing the proposed development – Image: Andrew Burlone
WM: What are the concerns with the proposed plan?
Kez: I am grateful that we are finally paying attention to the sector covered by the Special Planning Program, as it is long overdue. However, I do not think it has to be this or nothing. We must get it right. The objective of the redevelopment of the sector should not be limited to financial gain, height, and cramming as many buildings as possible into a small space. It should also focus on building a community and enhancing the quality of life for both existing and future residents. A balance must be found.
Though I am strongly in favour of moving forward with a plan for the Southeast, there are certain aspects of this plan which I believe need to be modified.
The SPP comprises two distinct areas, each with its own set of challenges and characteristics. St. Catherine Street between Wood and Atwater is in a horrible state. Dorchester has a distinctive architectural signature and should have a heritage solution that blends with the surrounding area. We need an organic vision.
The current plan appears rather ambitious in terms of height, the abundance of mineral surfaces, and the massing of buildings. Residents of the area have been asking to be more like the rest of Westmount.
Residents deserve something better than what is being proposed. We need to lighten up the aggressive densification. The plan needs to be aired out, and we need to respect residents’ wishes for lower height, more greening and green space between buildings, particularly on Tupper Street and the north side of Dorchester. There is a whole neighbourhood that will be directly reshaped by what we do, and all of Westmount will be permanently impacted.
This is not about shutting the plan down; it’s about continuing the conversation and the momentum to arrive at the best possible plan.
– Councillor Kathleen Kez, District 8, Westmount
Erratic weather patterns are becoming the norm, much like the heavy rainstorms we have recently experienced. This should be taken seriously and considered for any future development. I am not convinced that an abundance of concrete is what we need, and I hope we can focus on implementing stormwater management effectively. Furthermore, it is also important to recognize that in the summer months, temperatures in the southeast are significantly higher than those found in other areas of Westmount.
Both St. Catherine Street and Dorchester Boulevard are important gateways into our city, and this is our opportunity to showcase Westmount’s unique beauty.
WM: Should the vote be delayed until after the election?
Kez: If we cannot make the necessary modifications to ensure the plan is respectful of the area and something that all Westmounters can be proud of before its final adoption, then yes, the vote should be postponed. We need to allow more time (a few extra months) for the plan to mature. The fact that an SPP does not allow for a referendum, community buy-in is crucial.
This is not about shutting the plan down; it’s about continuing the conversation and the momentum to arrive at the best possible plan.
WM: If the current plan were approved, what is the anticipated cost of installing new municipal infrastructure?
Kez: This essential information has not yet been made clear.
WM: Is there a consensus among residents to delay the vote?
Kez: There is no polling data on this, but the dissent is tangible.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of WestmountMag.ca or its publishers.
Feature image: partial view of area slated for development in Westmount’s southeast, by Andrew Burlone
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Irwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Concordia University.
I’m excited about this plan! Let’s build and welcome some new neighbours! We need more housing and more density.
Frank,
Your thoughts are very much appreciated. What are your friends and neighbours saying saying about the development plan? Do you see the plan becoming a major election issue?
Irwin
If it were just a logic of ‘more housing and more density’ the solution would be to construct all the new buildings to 24 storeys. But balance is the hallmark of intelligent design. Let’s not rush into a permanent solution without real sense of alternate visions having being explored Please let’s be as sure as we can to get such a permanent decision right.
Marjorie,
Your comments are welcomed. Based on your experiences, is the development plan a subject of conversation and what are you hearing? Do you see this an election issue? What do you see as a balanced solution?
Irwin