Tensions were high in Outremont Tuesday night as the borough held public consultations on a controversial zoning change.

The borough wants to restrict the opening of new houses of worship to one area. But Outremont’s Hasidic community feels the proposed change is discriminatory and creating an issue where there isn't one.

More than 200 people showed up to the meeting, eager to voice their opinions. Mayor Marie Cinq-Mars said the night was simply to allow Outremont citizens to share their thoughts on the zoning proposal, but often had to remind citizens to keep calm.

The proposed zoning change would limit religious communities and sects from opening new houses of worship on Bernard and Laurier Aves.

Instead, they would be forced to an area north of Van Horne Ave., near railroad tracks.

Abraham Ekstein, an Outremont resident and member of the borough’s sizeable Hasidic community, says it's just another attempt to ghettoize his community.

“It’s ridiculous to say that in all of Outremont you can put all places of worship in one place, at a corner, like we should be punished. It’s near the tracks, that makes very nice visual of a ghetto, and with all the history … it's ridiculous to even think this is serious proposal,” he said.

But other residents said the community has ghettoized itself by not integrating enough.

Daniel Major started a petition in support of the change, saying he believes places of worship don’t belong on commercial streets.

"They think that commercial streets will fade away by those place," said Major.

Borough mayor Cinq-Mars agreed, and said other cities and boroughs have taken similar action.

The borough says the zoning change would revitalize Laurier and Bernard, creating a better climate for business. Members of the Hasidic community said having synagogues on commercial streets only adds to their vitality.

Borough councillor Mindy Pollak says it's time for there to be a wider framework on the issue.

“It’s clear that different communities are being targeted in different communities, whereas we should have a city-wide policy on places of worship,” she said.

One attendee said Outremont should become a model community by finding a way to appease everyone.

“I’m against it because it tries to create a situation where you have winners and losers instead of promoting dialogue,” he said.

City council will vote on the issue next Monday, but that may not end it. If enough people sign a registry, it could go to referendum.