Agenda, November 14 Harbour Infilling:The question of infilling was back at Council on Tuesday. Before us was a staff recommendation to initiate planning amendments to the Centre Plan and Halifax Mainland plans to prohibit infilling in the Northwest Arm. What wasn’t included was the same prohibition for Dartmouth Cove where …
Bill 329:The Province’s latest intrusion into municipal affairs with Bill 329 was the major item on our Council agenda. The bill is problematic as it will curtail HRM’s ability to charge fees to development and will further centre control over development in the hands of one person, the minister of …
Housing Accelerator ProgramThe main item on what was otherwise a fairly quiet Council meeting was HRM’s response to the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Program and its implications for zoning throughout HRM’s urban and suburban neighbourhoods. The federal program is meant to incentivize and support initiatives that are under the control …
Agenda, Regional Council September 12 Housing CrisisThis week’s Council meeting was dominated by the worsening homelessness crisis in HRM. It’s no surprise to anyone in the core of Dartmouth or Halifax that the number of people living outside is way up. It’s been clearly evident by the fact that almost …
Agenda August 22, Regional Council Secondary UnitsIn the fall of 2020 HRM adopted new planning rules to allow for secondary and backyard suites throughout the municipality. A secondary suite is a small secondary unit in a property’s main building, while a backyard suite is a small unit in an accessory …
Agenda, July 11 ForumThe main item on Council’s agenda last week was the future of the Halifax Forum. The Forum is in bad shape and is in need of a major project. The Forum has two ice surfaces, one of which has arena seating for 4,610, and multi-purpose community space. …
Agenda June 20 Regional CouncilAgenda June 20 Committee of the Whole (Regional Plan)Agenda May 9 Regional Council Micromobility (e-scooter regulation)Coming before Council for first reading was the new micromobility (e-scooters) bylaw. E-scooters have grown in popularity over the last few years and HRM now has businesses offering point-to-point scooter rentals. …
Agenda Regional Council April 25Agenda Budget Committee April 25Agenda Committee of the Whole April 25 (policing study)Agenda Regional Council April 4Agenda Committee of the Whole April 4 (playing field strategy) Saturday Paid ParkingCouncil approved the 2023/2024 budget, but not without some last minute drama around parking. HRM has changed course …
Agenda, Budget Committee, March 29 HRM’s 2023 budget is now largely complete. Council completed our last step of approving the budget adjustment list on Wednesday. The budget adjustment list is created as each department presents to Council. Council moves motions to potentially spend more money on an existing or a …
Agenda, March 21Agenda, March 7 Shelter Downtown DartmouthIn Council’s March meetings, there was a bundle of decisions related to housing including a motion I brought forward related to the emergency shelter at the Christ Church Hall on Dundas Street. My request was that the Mayor write the Province to ask …
