New bylaw could stop ‘hidden demolitions’ in Ahuntsic-Cartierville [Video]

There are growing calls to put an end to so-called “hidden demolitions” in Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

The push to save homes with historic value is being brought to the city council next month.

City councillor Jerome Normand says it’s all about protecting the borough’s heritage homes.

“It’s a beautiful place. The oldest place in Montreal after Old Montreal so we have a lot to preserve,” Normand said.

The borough hopes to adopt a new bylaw to prevent heritage buildings from being transformed beyond recognition.

“We just raised the elements that you have to respect just to be sure, to be clear that if we don’t recognize the house, it’s a demolition,” Normand said.

While he says cases of hidden demolitions are on the rise, there’s one particular project that sparked the debate — a new construction project on Péloquin Avenue.

The owner of the former shoe box house was denied a demolition …