Update #46 – Blue Mountain Birch Cove meeting, Centre Plan growth scenarios presented, Midtown North second meeting + more

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NEWS

Just a brief note to share the upcoming meetings with you.  Before we get to those, some park notes and a heritage update.

On parks: Cornwallis park playground is getting the first of two new play structures installed starting next week. The contractor should be on site Monday!  Still need phase two to get the long lamented swings back, but we will see that later in the summer.  If you go by Victoria Park you may notice that the benches have been replaced and a number of other fixtures have been upgraded or refinished.  Gorse brook Park had the first successful pick me up day two weeks ago, 85 folks showed up and cleaned, swept, painted and worked very hard.  We are hoping to go into the park in 2 weeks to apply the second coat to the inside of the lacrosse box.  HRM park signs should be placed in Gorsebrook and Inglis Park in the next few weeks, while trees are being limbed and brush cut back in Inglis and Queen/Green the next week or so.  Much more planed for later in the summer!

On heritage: we have had a lot of concern about heritage so I wanted to share again this note to people, as this work is underway now at the old Discovery Centre site: “Grafton Developments is proud to announce that over the next several weeks the first phase of redevelopment will occur at 1593 Barrington street. The original Art Deco limestone facade will be carefully removed, cleaned, and stored until it is ready to be placed back on the structure at a later stage of development. We look forward to bringing this historic piece of Barrington Street back to life by combining a respect for heritage with modern innovation.”

MEETING

Facilitator’s Report Regarding Proposed Boundaries for Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park
Monday June 20, 7pm | Future Inn, Aspin/Birch Room, 30 Fairfax Drive

The Facilitator, Justice Robertson, will be present at the Public Meeting.  She will briefly discuss her role in the process and her Report.  HRM staff will give a short presentation on the process leading up to the Facilitator’s Report being finalized and the next steps.  The property owners will then give a presentation on the Plan of December, 2015.  The public will be invited to submit any written comments they have with respect to the proposed park boundaries set out in the December, 2015 Plan, by sending correspondence directly to the Clerk’s Office via email or regular post.  Please note that, in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the Facilitator, verbal comments from the public will not be recorded at the presentation. I strongly urge the public to submit comments and concerns to the clerks@halifax.ca and ask for their email to be distributed to all of Council.  The Facilitator’s report is here:  https://www.halifax.ca/property/bluemountainbirchcovelakes.php

Midtown North (Robie and Almon) Second Open House
Wednesday June 22, 4-7pm | Common Room @ 2761 Gladstone Street

This is a developer lead meeting.  WSP will be holding the second Public Open House to receive comments on the preliminary design of the Midtown North project at the corner of Robie and Almon.  Please see attached for a poster inviting the public to a Public Open House on­ Wednesday, June 22, between 4 and 7 pm. There is no formal presentation and it is a drop in session.  More info at http://wspengage.com/midtown-north

Centre Plan Growth Scenarios Open House
Monday June 27m 6pm-9pm | Portia White Atrium, Citadel High School 1855 Trollope Street

WHERE AND HOW SHOULD WE GROW? Join the Planning & Development team at an open house to learn about different growth scenarios for the Regional Centre. Your feedback will help inform necessary changes to policies and regulations.
Drop by anytime between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Brief presentations will be made at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Get hands on at www.centreplan.ca

Solar City 2
Now | Everywhere

After a successful pilot project, Regional Council approved the continuation of the Solar City program for three years. The program will increase the opportunities for property owners to save money and reduce their environmental impact by offering property owners three solar technology options: Solar Photovoltaic (PV), Solar Hot Air and Solar Hot Water. To be considered an eligible participant to register, you must be a property owner who is either the owner of a private property or a property owner who is incorporated as a co-op or not for profit. More info at http://www.halifax.ca/solarcity/ or if you have any questions about Solar City please contact Shannon Miedema, Energy & Environment Program Manager, directly at miedems@halifax.ca or 902-490-3665.