Hudson plans public meeting about Main Road’s future

“Council considers that the petition addressed to the town on August 15 asking for the revision or amendment of the zoning by-law in downtown Main Road buildings is a negative approach,” Mayor Elizabeth Corker said in reply to the questions raised by Marie D’Avignon at the Tuesday council meeting. She is one of the persons who has signed the petition.

“If the trend of retail space on Main Road replaced by office space continues, Hudson will lose its well-known quaint character and the fabric of Main Road will become less attractive for visitors and shoppers,” says the petition.

The petition requests a modification to the zoning by-laws to discourage service type businesses from using for setting shop on Main road, discouraging retail outlets to open.

“It is an important issue, and we don’t want to follow it up with a negative approach. There is no simple answer to the question,” says Mayor Corker. We have been restricted in issuing business and retail permits because of our lack of a sewage system. A big change will take place in the next two years when the new sewage system is installed. In the meantime, we are considering hiring a consulant, perhaps Fondation Rue Principale, which has helped municipalities as Rigaud revitalize their downtown core.”

“Our discussions with members of HABA (Hudson and Area Business Association) and two owners of principal businesses in Hudson indicate that they do not support the petition. We have decided to send out an invitation to all concerned to hold a public meeting in mid-October to exchange ideas about the future of Main Road,” added Mayor Corker. “The idea that we brought forward is not negative, just because it does not suit council. The trend to have office buildings started a long time ago when Alan Davis & Associates, replaced a retail store. Now it seems to be a trend, which could be irreversible. Hudson is going down rather than up. When we drew up our petition, we spoke to the town of Magog, who said they had received no opposition to passing a similar by-law,” reported Mrs. D’Avignon.