The Montreal General hospital wanted to build a multi-story building to house medical clinics at 1750 Cedar avenue, in an existing condo shell, right next door to the hospital complex, but the consultation board ruled that the project was incompatible with the city's policies to protect Mount Royal.  A zoning change from residential to industrial was denied.

So it's back to the drawing board.

"We're going to be consulting people, neighbours and Friends of the Mountain, Heritage Montreal and the differenct stakeholders, as well as the internal community, to be able to make sure we come up with the right plan."

Interim Director and C.E.O. Normand Rinfret says the MUHC is commited to expansion, new plans are expected to be ready in about a year.

Photo:  Margoe Edwards