"The city has many locations within the city that are within that distance from power lines and if any studies are being undertaken, it would be by Hydro Quebec at a provincial level and they would be implementing their own plans," he added.

During the previous month's meeting, council gave first reading to a zoning change that would allow a townhouse project to be built on Marc Chagall Avenue under power lines.

Councillor Dida Berku, who along with Councillor Steven Erdelyi voted against the re-zoning last month on the grounds they were concerned about health risks for those living nearby, said she had since instructed the urban planning department to ask Hydro Quebec whether it had guidelines.

In initial plans put forth for the townhouse project, Berku and Erdelyi had unsuccessfully sought an additional clearance from the wires of about 15 feet. "I think the city had an obligation to consult Hydro Quebec and to get a clear ruling, a clear guideline as to what was allowed within that Hydro right-of-way, within the Hydro servitude," she said.

"To this day I still don't have any report." While the land in question is privately owned, the electric utility has servitude rights that allow it access to its lines. Some of the other councillors and the mayor have pointed out that a number of other residential areas in Côte St. Luc have also been located for years near power lines.

"There are no guidelines healthwise from Health Canada, from any department that we know of, that says that this shouldn't happen," said Housefather. "So at that point the city is looking at the interest of the city. We considered it to be what the residents of the area want. We considered it to be a logical development for the city to attract young families to Côte St. Luc in affordable new housing."

Alex Davis of Westluke Avenue, an environmental activist, nearly provoked the ire of some councillors when he referred derogatorily to the proposed townhouses and implored council to halt the project several times.

"If you ask for a certain amount of space that is essential and needed, you are building slums," he said. "This is exactly what we're doing. Please, let's stop building slums. Let's recognize the fact that Hydro is not our friend … Please think it over."

Housefather responded, "As a group whether we're in favour of the bylaw or not, we take great exception to your comments about these being slums. They're lovely-looking townhouses, and I live next door. So I can say certainly I wouldn't want a slum being built next door to my own building. This is going to be an excellent development for Côte St. Luc."

(Martin C. Barry)