PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE – MINUTES – 365th meeting / Monday, February 23, 2026, at 3:08 p.m.

PIIA – Construction of the Western Multifunctional Complex – 275, boulevard du Plateau – Plateau Electoral District – Bettyna Belizaire

Questions, answers, and comments were formulated regarding, among other things:

• The access to the complexe Branchaud-Brière is cited as an example of an access that is not wide enough for buses, which creates issues;
• The 22 m access width extends the crossing period for people with reduced mobility and the elderly. It is believed that a protection island at least 2 m wide should be installed in the center of the site access;
• The concrete widening of the site access is appreciated, which, even if used by buses, gives the impression of a traversable sidewalk;
• It is believed that a 10 m front setback would have been good for this imposing building;
• A request is made to verify how the need for the number of bicycle parking spaces was calculated. It is estimated that there could have been more;
• The SUDD analysis mentions that the building does not show a certain architectural boldness. However, the building is considered very successful;
• The site will host three works of art, including two inside the building and one outside, or vice versa, in addition to an indoor mural. It is hoped that an outdoor work of art will be located near the main entrance;
• The function of the roundabout at the back of the building is explained.

R-CCU-2026-02-23/14 CONSIDERING THAT a request to authorize the construction of the Western Multifunctional Complex has been made for the property located at 275, boulevard du Plateau; CONSIDERING THAT the Gatineau City Council has approved a loan by-law and set up working teams to carry out the construction project of the Western Multifunctional Complex; CONSIDERING THAT the new building construction project is subject to discretionary approval by the Règlement relatif aux plans d’implantation et d’intégration architecturale numéro 535-2025; CONSIDERING THAT the project required the granting, by the council, of minor variances to Règlement de zonage numéro 532-2020, aimed at increasing the maximum front setback of the building, its maximum height, and the width of a site access; CONSIDERING THAT the project is part of an ambitious sustainable development approach, consistent with the Plan climat de Gatineau and its objective to "accelerate the transition to a sustainable building stock"; CONSIDERING THAT the project aims for the prestigious LEED GOLD certification, which requires a design integrating strict criteria for energy performance, user comfort, and respect for the environment; CONSIDERING THAT the project complies with Règlement de zonage numéro 532-2020, with the exception of the minor variances already granted; CONSIDERING THAT the project respects the majority of the applicable criteria of Règlement relatif aux plans d’implantation et d’intégration architecturale numéro 535-2025 targeting institutional projects; CONSEQUENTLY, this Committee recommends that the council approve, pursuant to Règlement relatif aux plans d'implantation et d'intégration architecturale numéro 535-2025, the construction of the Western Multifunctional Complex at 275, boulevard du Plateau, all as illustrated in the project analysis in the documents titled:

• Plan d’implantation du projet, secteurs d’aménagements – prepared by Architecture49 + PROULXSAVARD architectes – January 2026 – 275, boulevard du Plateau;
• Plan de paysagement – prepared by Architecture49 + PROULXSAVARD architectes – January 2026 – 275, boulevard du Plateau;
• Matériaux projetés (Matérialité) – prepared by Architecture49 + PROULXSAVARD architectes – January 2026 – 275, boulevard du Plateau;
• Élévations - prepared by Architecture49 + PROULXSAVARD architectes – January 2026 – 275, boulevard du Plateau. It is understood that the approval of the site planning and architectural integration plan is subject to the granting of the minor variances required for this project.

UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED