Goals & Objectives

Public Comments on Principle 5

From Keshen Goodman Library Open House, December 8, 2003

• Stop ruthless development of subdivisions! If we don't, we may very well start to look like Missasauga!
• Stop twinning of Highway 103. Put in high speed rail on that cleared land-use saved money for bus service through at St. Margaret's Bay along ??? and 3.
• Restrict development on the Fringe.
• New developments must fit in with existing streetscape.
• You don't have to give away the shop to ensure development around the Core City of Halifax. There is no mixed-use development designed to create community in the new development outside these doors (in Clayton Park and around the Bayers lake Business Park)
• End of Tyranny of by right Development-Local communities should design their own future and have absolute veto over any development in their neighbourhood.-No! leads to NIMRY
• Do not develop the coastline-too valuable!
• Discourage strip/ribbon development.
• Lakes-should ensure that even private properties are not built up to lakeside. This building on lakes causes pollution on lakes and there should be a by-law to prevent this.
• Herring Cove Road-promote unfilling and occupancy of vacant buildings rather then destroying pristine wilderness -Second! -Third!
• Bike lanes and trails please-both for transportation and healthy lifestyle.
• A place where animals can be free!
• Keep a sink for public input. There are a lot of good ideas.
• More beautiful parks and trails.
• Goal 5.4: Large communities working together promote synergy-fragmentation blocks this.
• Electricity/phone/cable TV - All there wires should be underground. When you put new sewage pipes in-even in other residential areas-why not put wiring in for three services? At least all new development should have them underground. Please bring Halifax into the 21st century. Being built on rock is no excuse. Abudem (Scotland) is known as the granite oils, besides referring to these to gas/oil perhaps you should inquire about underground this too.
• Goal 5.8: Support local energy conservation organizations. Ie. Biodeasil
• Look into "grow homes" for excellence in design.
• Maintain existing trails and create new ones! Part of healthy lifestyle-build it and they will come!
• Ensure that new development includes a green space-linear or otherwise-so that neighbourhoods and communities can be linked, school accessed, etc.
• Monitor building around lakes so that public access is provided. Recent developments exclude public access-VERY IMPORTANT!
• There seem to be some serious problems with building inspection in Halifax. Corruption? Incompetence? Both/other? Some sort of reform might help save certain older buildings that are headed over the point of no return, perhaps even block landlords from sabotaging some they simply want to cash in on and weeds those that have no hope in such a way that their replacement will be in harmony with neighbouring scene.
• Please stop infilling Bedford Basin and Northwest Arm and Dartmouth Cove-Absolutely agree with the above and would add no developments on the Bedford Basin side of Bedford highways.
• Please refer specifically to CHILDREN and youth and their needs for safe healthy environment. This will help promote their respect for the natural world (as in nature) and for activity/wellness (as in exercise. walking biking).
• Too many commuters drive in from Prospect Rd. Need bus/mass transit badly.
• Land is NOT a renewable resource-use it wisely. Up density for housing.
• No more Mansard roof architecture!
• Build on existing use-e.g. Purcell's Cove Rd. is a recreational corridor now: walkers and cyclists use it heavily. Provide a bike path and wide enough shoulder for pedestrians but maintain the soft quality!

From Cole Harbour Place Open House, December 10, 2003

• Goal 5.5: "Quality" includes views
• Goal 5.7: Should read prohibit ? in these unsafe areas.
• The biggest problem facing Canada is that we cannot manage our own resources. Show them how!!
• Organize development around 'village' centers so that work & living spaces are adjacent & don't depend upon the car.
• Not all land should be "developed". Leave some (lots) alone for nature and wildlife.
• Green spaces, recreation, trails & cycle routes.
• Trails/trails/trails.

From LeBrun Centre Open House, December 11, 2003

• #1 Priority - We have to strengthen the parkland dedication req under the MGA to give Development Officers of HRM to decide on the best parkland that should be required/preserved in the interest of the public.
• Protect floodplains
• Ensure good provisions of services - parks, schools, rec facilitations - to meet the demand of future growth.
• Plan for & devel. parks & open space - those ? of the city that ?
• Change MGA Act - 7.6/7.9, Well done!??
• B.A.T.H.
• Get rid of by-right
• Increase land dedication req. to 10%
• Allow flexibility in CDD's to facilitate better enviro. design (orientation of buildings, etc.) in the interest of the public.
• Walkways! Walkways! Walkways! Without pedestrians, there's no community.
• Please put more controls on by right development - so sensitive environmental areas (Lakes, brooks, Marshland, etc.) can be protected and proper setbacks from rivers & lakes are maintained (ex 50 meters) and proper walking trails & parks are put in every subdivision.
• Harbour Planning - I would like planning for the Dartmouth Harbour to be treated separately. One totally separate goal for future planning should be the Dartmouth Harbour that is currently subsumed under Halifax Harbour. I want to include tourism as a major component in the Woodside area. Hopefully the Dartmouth side can be as appealing to tourists as the Halifax side. The areas around the Woodside Ferry Terminal desperately need development with tourist appeal. Also could incentives for beautification be made for Industries that are on the Harbour. Industry doesn't need to be unattractive. Please create a harbour that draws people and enhances views and make it a major focus. Industrial complexes can be part of this & could even be part of its charm. A first priority in Planning for Dartmouth should also be the creation & enforcement of buffer zones around all Lakes and clear public access should be provided. Dartmouth could be a uniquely beautiful city if generous buffer zones surrounded its lakes. Hopefully sewage treatment programs like those in Bear River well become a part of planning for new subdivisions. Criteria for improving architecture and getting rid of Boxes would be nice.

From Halifax Ferry Terminal Open House, December 17, 2003

• Encourage more density, smaller lots, etc.
• Goal 5.1: What is a "hierarchy" of committees? ???? basis? Ranking? Whose call?
• Regulate the cutting of trees especially in new Subdivision's.
• Bike Lanes, walking paths - Please! Yes! Yes!
• Human powered mobility - children who walk and bicycle to school safely.this determines quality of life for families - Yes!
• Clean up oil contaminated lands in Central Halifax for use in new Housing development.
• "..make the most effective use of.." May be interpreted in a number of ways. It is vague. Why not put "healthy lifestyles" first. (ie. Manage development in a way that considers healthy lifestyles..)
• More bike paths on route to downtown Halifax
• Goal 5.3: Green/People/Self-Propelled corridors between communities urban & rural - yes
• The majority land holder in HRM is the crown! This land pays no tax, no contribution to the economy..
• Listen to community associations!! Establish planning advisory committees for all parts of HRM to head off expensive mistakes. Consult communities about development, enforce existing by-laws and follow community based plans. If you want people to live comfortably on the peninsula, make sure developments are ? livable and compatible with their surroundings. CONSULT..
• Support for existing neighbourhoods??? Protection from demolition, noise, etc. - Absolutely!!!! - Yes, I agree!!!!
• Goal 5.8: .is vital in reducing environmental impact in a practical, economic way.

From Musquodoboit Harbour Open House, January 8, 2004 (postponed from December 15)

• Goal 5.3: Definitely needs to plan active transportation routes that are connected trails, bikeways, public transportation, etc.
• A Birthing Centre which would encourage and support families in the rural center.
• Goal 5.4: Could be dangerous: if the services don't exist, or do but are then terminated, are you advocating people move to where the services do exist?
• Look at mountain equipment coop's new downtown eco-friendly building
• Goal 5.6: Very important especially (citizens) people with special needs; availability in rural areas! Note Get rid of Der. Agr. For affordable projects\
• Seasidetourism.com
• "New development" has to be more than just "compatible"-it must not overwhelm the current infrastructure (i.e. Armdale Rotary can no longer cope with the traffic).
• Contact "forest watch" about Ship Harbor/Long Lake initiative-Kim Thomson
• Seniors housing and youth facilities need to be a centre of planning.