Council Update: North Woodside Park Plan, New Council, Lakewatchers, Housing

My first blog entry for the new Council! We’ve had two meetings so far, both of which were pretty light in terms of materials, which wasn’t unexpected given that we have so many new councillors and a new mayor trying to find their footing. Still getting to know my new …

Council Update: Dartmouth Lakes, Access Program, Nature-Based Stormwater

Agenda, August 20 Watershed PlanningSome really good news on Council’s agenda for Dartmouth’s Lakes: HRM is launching a watershed planning program, and Dartmouth’s Lakes are part of the initial pilot. The idea is to have a multi-year plan with clear goals and measurable outcomes. HRM has done a few things …

Council Update: Dartmouth Cove, Missing Middle Housing, One HRM Pass

Dartmouth Cove InfillingCouncil approved a major step to potentially protect the waters in Dartmouth Cove from further infilling. Council approved initiating the planning process that could result in bylaw changes that prevent infilling from happening on all remaining water lots in Dartmouth Cove. HRM’s ability to do this is very …

Council Update: Encampments, Solid Waste Review, Micromobility

Agenda, July 9 EncampmentsThe issue of encampments was back before Council and the situation isn’t pretty. As I wrote in my e-newsletter last week, new Provincial housing spaces are delayed and won’t be ready until the fall at the earliest. This has put HRM back into a situation where existing …

Council Update: Centre Plan Changes, The Post, Ferry, Marketing Levy

Centre Plan Changes After a three-day public hearing, Regional Council approved changes to planning bylaws across HRM, including in District 5. The changes are designed to make it easier to construct additional housing and come in response to the unprecedented growth that HRM has been experiencing, and the resulting housing …

Council Update: Waterfront, Banook, Centennial Pool

Agenda, March 5 Dartmouth Waterfront The worst kept secret in Dartmouth is officially public: HRM is planning for improvements to the Dartmouth waterfront. There is a big potential opportunity here for Dartmouth and HRM as a whole. A connected Dartmouth waterfront could be a tremendous asset for both residents and …

Council Update: Marketing Fines, Museum, Navigators, Woodland Fence

Agenda, January 23 here Marketing Levy Fines On October 1 last year, it became mandatory for short-term rental operators to start paying the HRM Destination Marketing Levy. The marketing levy is a room tax that hotels have paid for years to fund Destination Halifax and special event grants. Basically, the …