Alternatives for Growth

Public Comments on
~ The Economy ~

Mount Saint Vincent University - May 15, 2004

• Where will the millions of dollars of tax payers money come from?

• Economic centres such as Kentville and Bridgewater not mentioned in the plan

• There is a centres issue because Capital District is the only Regional Centre, what about Burnside when 17,000 employees work there?

• Needs a total analysis of all costs.

• GPI analysis of costs needed.

Cole Harbour Place - May 19, 2004

• We're being forced to buy more because we're all spreading out.
• Major employment centres seem to be CBD and Burnside.
• Need businesses outside CBD to reduce travel times.
• Developers should pay their fair costs
• Where is Burnside? Employment centre
• We need the condo tax base!

Michael Wallace Elementary School, Dartmouth - May 20, 2004

• Is Alternative C most costly?
• We have interest in greatest economy of region.
• Its important that both groups are talking to each other (economic development).
• If growth is high, Alternative C is affordable.

St. Margaret's Centre, Upper Tantallon - May 26, 2004

• Make development fees that truly pay for municipal costs fully. $70,000 fee is appropriate or more!
• Energy costs will rise 10 fold in next decade or so. Commuting will no longer be affordable. Large country dream homes will be too costly to heat. Banks will refuse to renew mortgages. "Commuter sheds" will collapse. People building distant homes for commuters are causing great harm in the future to buyers. This should not be allowed!

Brookside Junior High School, Hatchett Lake - May 31, 2004

• Why should we have to pay taxes on land we can't develop?
• Does any alternative implement moving business off the peninsula to eliminate congestion?

• Our Prospect Road helps fund the economy of Nova Scotia because of Peggy's Cove, and what about that money coming back into the community?
• Of alternatives A. B, and C, which is the most expensive?
• Who would pay for or build new community centres?
• Will the money only go to the places that are most congested? Because I don't want to be left out!
• Taxes have increased 300%
• When HRM amalgamated, our taxes went up, but our services didn't increase
• Principle 7 - reduce the number of bureaucrats, politicians etc, and their wages, no more self imposed wage hikes

Four Harbours Legion, East Ship Harbour - June 2, 2004

• Don't think the rural population will be sustained due to low birth rates, high unemployment and an aging population
• We don't want street lights and we want to keep the tax base low
• A stronger Halifax core will be better for all of HRM and the province

Lake Echo Community Centre, Lake Echo - June 3, 2004

• If more restrictions were put in place (If you make it to expensive to develop in the rural commuter shed), growth will go to Enfield (East Hants) and HRM will lose the tax dollars
• Need to look at costs of development. If you make it too restrictive, will make it infeasible to develop, especially for the "little guy"
• Land prices are rising steeply but people still want to live here

Sackville High School, Lower Sackville - June 7, 2004

• How do you buy private land and then develop it the way you envision it to look?
• Only see the small branches of businesses outside the Capital District, never get any headquarters or main offices (i.e. Royal Bank)

• I would like to see businesses conform in communities
• There are economic advantages to owning large lots of land (i.e. room for swimming pool, space for children to play). I would like to make sure this is not eliminated
• Where's the money?
• This will cost millions!
• Charge gas tax to buy and save land for green space!
• $50,000 lot service charges!
• Developer pays costs, not the taxpayer!
• More money for trails
• Build trails into more plans, more money

Basinview Drive Community School, Bedford - June 9, 2004

• If HRM is the hub of the province (i.e. health, education), shouldn't it be important for HRM to communicate closely and cooperate with the province?
• Has there been any consideration as to the costs of each alternative?
• There are businesses struggling downtown because we don't have people to support them
• Nobody says we have to go to Halifax to work in office towers
• Jobs being produced are underpaid and under the table
• How can people live in the city? It is too expensive! People move outside because it is cheaper

Eastern Shore District High School, Musquodoboit Harbour - June 10, 2004

• How is HRM going to buy the land to do this?
• There is substandard housing. Are they going to be taxed out so that the land can be acquired? What about the land between the centres?
• What would the price of land be where there is water and sewer services?
• What happens to the people who cannot afford the price of the land available?
• Taxes are going up because people are building bigger houses and therefore the taxes increase
• Bring infrastructure here. Jeddore for example has a high tech business that employs a number of people.

Musquodoboit Valley Bicentennial Theatre, Middle Musquodoboit - June 16, 2004

• There are a lot of people that work in the regional centre and surrounding urban areas

Halifax City Hall - June 17, 2004

• Community council should not have the power to make major decisions on billion dollar mega building projects affecting the entire HRM, the environment and future generations. It is totally undemocratic. There should be relevant information sent to all HRM taxpayers and then a referendum. The current system of decision making by three councillors is unjust, not democratic and dangerous to public good

St. Agnes Church, Halifax - June 21, 2004

• What are the implications/advantages/costs of each alternative?
• Are the alternatives 'doable' within the budget?
• Would core/regional centre improvements be at a higher cost than other areas in HRM?
• The market is developer driven right now
• A lot of the growth may come from offshore activity
• Convenient/ affordable condo options for small business section key to economic growth