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Patrick Hiron counts the rings on a tree felled next to his house. (PHIL CARPENTER/The Gazette)
Razing of woods in Beaconsfield sparks crticism
Trees cut to allow school to expand
Karen Seidman
The Gazette
Friday, April 17, 2009
Patrick Hiron counts the rings on a tree felled next to his house. (PHIL CARPENTER/The Gazette)
Some Beaconsfield residents are upset about a local woodland that was cleared recently for the expansion of a special-needs school.
“The clearing was done before anyone knew it was going to happen,” said Patrick Hiron. “Everyone around here is upset. I bought a house with woodland behind it and now I will have a school in my backyard.”
About 15,000 square feet of woods behind École Spéciale John F. Kennedy on Elm St. in Beaconsfield was cleared at the end of March. Construction to add eight classrooms to the school will begin soon, according to Brigitte Léonard, a spokesperson for the Commission Scolaire Marguerite Bourgeoys.
Beaconsfield Mayor Bob Benedetti said the property is private and the school board has the right to expand its building.
“They can build an expansion, and our bylaw says they can cut down trees to do it,” said Benedetti. “We always recommend they only chop down what is necessary.”
Hiron, however, sees it differently. He says residents require a special permit to cut down even one tree from their property.
He doesn’t understand how a school board is allowed to cut down a whole woodland.
“No demand has even been made on the school board to plant more trees,” said Hiron, who lives on Raspberry Crescent. “It seems ludicrous that (city council) put a ban on plastic water bottles but they’re not doing anything about this. It’s hypocritical.”
Lori Hawkins-Jardin, another resident whose property abuts the wooded area, said while it makes her sad to see the woods cut down, she believes the school “has been a gift to thousands of families.”
She said she was shocked about the clearing and is hoping not all of the woods will be cut down, but added, “I couldn’t in good conscience say no to do it if there’s a need. These children come first.”
The school currently houses about 150 students and had to put up three temporary classrooms and close its cafeteria in order to accommodate a growing number of students. When the work is finished in September, the school will hold 175 students and will be able to reopen its cafeteria.
The students attending the school come from all over the city with a variety of special needs, including autism, developmental problems and physical handicaps.
Léonard said the school board sent a letter to nearby residents on March 23 advising them of the enlargement of the school and the construction. A section of the woods will be preserved, she said.
Benedetti said he can understand the neighbours’ reaction, but stressed that the school board has every right to proceed with the project.
“I know if I had woods at the end of my street, I’d be disappointed, too,” said Benedetti. “But the school needs space.”