Sam Austin, Author at Sam Austin

Council Update: Forum and Ferries

January 29, 2026 Sam Austin 2

Forum:On Wednesday, Council resumed budget deliberations with a look at the capital budget and I’m fairly alarmed at where Mayor Fillmore wants to take us regarding the Halifax Forum project. The Forum is a multi-use […]

Council Update: Missing Middle, Pensions

January 15, 2026 Sam Austin 9

Missing Middle Housing and the Building CodeA motion of mine was back before Council around eliminating barriers to Missing Middle Housing. The situation I’m trying to change is our restrictive rules around stairways that make […]

Council Update: Banook Plan, CAP

December 11, 2025 Sam Austin 16

Agenda December 9Agenda December 2 Banook PlanThe Lake Banook Coordination Plan was approved by Council this week. Banook is a special place. It’s both a prized community recreational hub, and an international sporting venue. It’s […]

Council Update: Budget 2026 Begins

December 1, 2025 Sam Austin 2

Agenda, November 19 Budget 2026The 2026 budget process is now underway. Over the next 4-5 months, staff and Council will complete a detailed review of all of HRM’s plans for 2026. Unfortunately, this is looking […]

Council Update: Museum Strategy, HalifACT Update

November 6, 2025 Sam Austin Comments Off

Agenda, October 28 Museum StrategyThe Regional Museum Strategy was before Council last week. HRM has been considering two different approaches towards the museum question, (1) create a new Regional Museum that would be the central […]

E-News November 2025

November 4, 2025 Sam Austin 3

News Dartmouth CoveOn October 7, after a lengthy public hearing, Council approved implementing restrictions on infilling water lots in Dartmouth Cove. The decision affects nine properties, was a long-time coming, and is a major victory […]

Council Update: Dartmouth Cove, Deed Transfer

October 9, 2025 Sam Austin 6

Agenda, October 7 Dartmouth CoveSeveral years worth of public debate and concern culminated in a public hearing on Tuesday. The stakes? Whether or not HRM should implement a bylaw restricting infill in Dartmouth Cove. Council […]

E-News October 2025

October 2, 2025 Sam Austin 9

News Bike Lane UsageBike lanes have been a hot topic over the last several months, first with the Mayor’s motion to pause building cycling infrastructure, then with the debate over Morris Street, and then with […]

Council Update: Dartmouth Cove, Dartmouth Common Lighting, Parks Stewardship

September 14, 2025 Sam Austin Comments Off

Agenda, September 9 Dartmouth Cove:By far the biggest item on the agenda for District 5 was the staff response to my motion on adopting a bylaw restricting infilling in Dartmouth Cove. The staff recommendation? Defer […]

Council Update: Slayter Bikeway, Wanderer’s, Regional Plan, Davis Cup

August 22, 2025 Sam Austin 17

Agenda, August 19 Slayter Street Local BikewayThe major item for District 5 on Council’s agenda was the Slayter Street Local Bikeway. Slayter Street was identified in the Integrated Mobility Plan as part of the Regional […]