Montreal city council approved a revised bylaw Monday night allowing the expansion of Molson Stadium, the Alouettes' home turf.

The original bylaw, which had been picked apart by opponents of the project, evolved into a greener plan after several months of public consultations. Now the expansion is more palatable to local residents, said Francine Sénécal, a member of the city's executive committee.

Molson Stadium, home of the Montreal Alouettes, is set for expansion.
(CBC)

"[The changes] take into consideration the comments of citizens concerning noise levels in the adjacent area, as well as our desire to ensure the harmonious integration of the stadium with Mont-Royal," Sénécal said.

Under the new plan, the project's promoter will add 5,000 seats to the stadium, will plant trees to replace those that are cut down, and will lower a proposed giant video screen by 60 centimetres, to minimize visual pollution that worried local residents.

New entry addresses noise concerns

Fans visiting the stadium — which is nestled on the southeast side of Mont Royal, on McGill University's campus — will be ferried through a new entrance built at a distance from the Milton-Park residential area, where local homeowners had expressed concern about noise from game night crowds.

Although the bylaw has been approved, the $27-million expansion plan could still be subject to a referendum, if enough residents sign a petition demanding a vote on the proposal.

Environmental group Les Amis de la Montagne have endorsed the project, city officials said. But some residents, who attended the council meeting Monday night, are still not pleased with the revised project.

"It's not a natural landscape," said Philippe Côté, a local resident.

The city hopes construction on the stadium will start in spring 2007.