View of Dartmouth from the Ferry

Centre Plan Package B public hearing info, Larch/Jennings update, much more

In This Issue

My Council Update includes details upcoming meetings and details on Centre Plan public hearing taking place Oct 26 at City Hall, update on the Larch/Jennings parties and work to deal with that, solid waste enforcement, new heritage registrations, and Race to Zero commitment for HRM.

Public Meetings and Hearing  includes meeting dates and upcoming Centre Plan hearing details. Roadworks is still busy with paving projects. Community Events has several important events, ranging from Basic Income to Burger Week. This issue ends with info on how to reach out and get help on municipal issues.

Councillor Update

Hello all,

Breaking news today – the Houston government has decided to make changes in how major projects are approved, adding a new decision-making body that HRM has no control and little input into.  I am not going to comment further, as I have not had a chance to read the details of the coming changes, but HRM was not adequately consulted, and I am deeply concerned.

Centre plan Package B
The biggest thing to be aware of is the Public Hearing for Centre Plan Package B is before Council next week – October 26 at City Hall.
The Centre Plan is a planning process for the Regional Centre, including Peninsula Halifax and Dartmouth inside the Circumferential Highway. The Centre Plan is being developed in two phases, Package A – approved by Council in September of 2019, and Package B. The focus of Package B is on land-use policies for parks and community facilities, institutional areas, employment areas, and established residential areas. A key part of Package B is support for additional housing options through gentle density and missing middle housing.

On October 5, 2021, Regional Council gave First Reading to the proposed Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. The in-person Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 6 p.m., at Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street (Council Chamber), Halifax.  Please see additional information below, including how to participate in the public hearing:

You can also read my summary of changes proposed for our District here.

Please keep in mind – this is a Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw public hearing for Package B.  I know many people in the community are asking for things ranging from a halt to demolition to GHG to be considered to requiring affordable housing.  However laudable these ideas are, none of those can be done through a land-use bylaw.

It is also important to recognize this hearing is about Downtown Halifax, established residential zones, parks, institutional, industrial lands all as a part of Package B. Package A already has been passed two years ago.  Corridors, Centres, Downtown Dartmouth, higher-order residential have already passed, those rules are in place. Even if Package B failed to pass, the rules for Package A lands would be in place.

Should Council approve the proposed Centre Plan, it will be forwarded for Provincial review and will come into effect when the Notice of Approval is published.

For more info see the fact sheets, an interactive zoning map, a video, and Q&As to help explain the proposed changes.  Planning staff is also always available to answer your questions – please contact them at planhrm@halifax.ca.

Three weeks ago I promised regular updates on steps being taken as a result of the unsanctioned Dal street party and noise complaints in the neighbourhood.  On September 27 I wrote about the next steps here and broke it into three areas – HRM, Halifax Regional Police, and Dalhousie, and have updates for all three.

HRM

  • Rental Registration bylaw originally promised in April 2021 has been delayed by COVID, and is anticipated to be at Regional Council for consideration November 23.  The report will be made public the Friday before the meeting.
  • The update to M-200 bylaw (minimum standards) was passed on September 29, 2000.  This set the table for rental registration, and focused on improving minimum standards, including change improve life safety provisions, some and carbon monoxide alarms, disallow disconnection of electricity in occupied units, safety requirements around laundry rooms, garbage containment requirements, parking, maintenance, and noise. Landlords are now required to, after a tenant’s conviction of an offense under the Noise By-law, develop a written mitigation plan within 7 days of the notice. This can only happen after the appeal period has expired so I expect the first of these to happen within the month.
  • Signs for schoolyards with clear closing times (LMST and SJAM) are being made and installed.
  • Staff are finalizing the approach to better control late-night commercial noise in residential neighborhoods, and expect to have a report consideration for Regional Council’s consideration by next summer.

Halifax Regional Police

  • Police enforcement continues in the neighborhoods around Dalhousie.
  • My understanding is more tickets have been given than the public is aware of.  Enforcement data is being collated and police and HRM will make it the public end of October/beginning of November.
  • Repeat offenders receive a daytime visit from the community constable who talks to them in the cold light of day, and while they are sober, about the tickets and fines they are at risk of.
  • I spoke with the Police Chief about wait times on the non-emergency 902-490-5020 line.  HRP is aware of the concern and the wait times are monitored.  Residents are reminded to listen to all the messages and options, stay on the line, and pick up usually 1-2 minutes, sometimes it is longer, but usually, that is if 10-12 people are calling at the same time about the same incident (fireworks comes to mind).  If you experience longer wait times, please email me the date and time and the Chief will pull the records and look into the specifics.

Dalhousie

  • I have communicated to Dalhousie that I hope they reconsider the dry dorm/campus policy and return to a more permissive approach to parties and socializing on campus.  The President of Dal Student Union had some strong views I largely agree with on this here.
  • I also asked and President Saini agreed to set up a high-level meeting between Dalhousie, HRM, and HRP to better communicate how to discuss coordination, funding, and communication.  We need an agreement or protocol we can all get behind and stick to.  I was surprised when Dal withdrew from Dal Patrol, and what that outlined to me is we need more communication and agreement.  I also agree with Dal that HRP and HRM can do a better job providing clear and measurable services to Dal.
  • Finally, I have asked Dalhousie to produce public reporting and accountability for the general consequences from the internal discipline process and comparisons to past years so trends can be recognized and to release it at the same time as HRP releases their stats at the end of this month.

I also wanted to touch on solid waste enforcement.  In Districts 7, 8, and 9, parking enforcement officers are now also responsible for curbside solid waste.  These staff are now proactive instead of reactive in the approach to monitoring and patrolling curbside solid waste.

The staff priority is to rectify curbside violations as quickly as possible which is achieved most efficiently by reaching out to the property owner for remedy, providing education, and posting 24-hour notices as necessary.

Notices are issued in lieu of summary offense tickets as they allow the remedy to take place much sooner. Should the property owner not complete the remedy within the 24 hours provided via the notice, HRM can send a contractor to do so. In the event that a summary offense ticket is issued and the property owner chooses to dispute it, the violation cannot be remedied until the ticket is adjudicated in court.]

Update from staff: if a ticket is issued one day we are able to go back the following day to issue a 24 Hour Order. If the violation still exists upon the expiration of the 24 hour Order, we can complete the remedy if the garbage remains.

Additions to HRM’s Registry of Heritage Property: Camp Hill Cemetery (1600 Summer Street) and 5500 Inglis Street (current location of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax) will be included in HRM’s Registry of Heritage Property as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act. 

HRM signs up for Cities Race to Zero climate commitments: The Race to Zero is a global initiative toward a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon transition that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. The municipality publicly endorses several principles, including committing to putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making, pledging to reach net-zero in the 2040s or sooner, and more. Municipal staff will identify appropriate actions for each commitment that is in keeping with previous motions of Council and complete reporting requirements.

Public Meetings, Hearings & Engagement

Halifax Regional Council – Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers
If you want to read reports coming to Regional Council (posted mid-day Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting) or to check the agenda. Upcoming meetings:

  • Tuesday, October 26, 10 am (starting with Budget Committee)
  • Tuesday, November 9, 10 am
  • Tuesday, November 23, 10 am

Agendas here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=127

Halifax & West Community Council – virtual meetings
Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.

  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021 6pm

Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140

Regional Centre Community Council – virtual or face to face meeting
Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.

  • Wednesday, November 24 if required.

Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140

Public hearings

Centre Plan Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 | Halifax City Hall
On October 5, 2021 Regional Council gave First Reading to the proposed Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. The in-person Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 6 p.m., at Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street (Council Chamber), Halifax.  Please see additional information below, including how to participate in the public hearing:

Public hearings are published 2-3 weeks before they take place and a list of upcoming hearings can be found here: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/public-hearings

Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Council
Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to Council on planning proposals for the three districts on the peninsula. Upcoming meetings:

  • November 22, 4:00pm if required, possibly face to face

Please check the webpage for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-peninsula-planning-advisory-committee

Information about how to watch or participate in virtual meetings can be found on the agenda pages. Please confirm meeting dates and times on our website as dates and times are subject to change.

Roadworks Update

The following street closures or sidewalk disruptions have recently been added to the RoadWorks map

  • SUMMER ST from COLLEGE ST to SPRING GARDEN RD, starting on 2021-10-16
  • GRANVILLE ST from SALTER ST to SACKVILLE ST, starting on 2021-10-18
  • CARLTON ST from SPRING GARDEN RD to COLLEGE ST, starting on 2021-10-04
  •  SUMMER ST from BELL RD to VETERANS MEMORIAL LANE, starting on 2021-09-28
  • DRESDEN ROW from ARTILLERY PL to CLYDE ST, starting on 2021-09-30

You can find out road closure details on the HRM Roadworks map:
https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/streets-sidewalks/RoadWorks

Other Major Projects:

Cathedral Lane, University Avenue & South Park Street Sewer Separation Project – May to early December 2021.  More info and contacts here: http://halifaxwater.ca/project/cathedral-ln-south-park-st-sewer-separation

Community Events and Info

Burger Week
now to October 23
Halifax Burger Week is a city-wide burger-eating phenomenon and fundraiser for Feed Nova Scotia pug on by The Coast. Creative burger offerings either have a set price of $7, or a higher price with the restaurant making a donation to Feed Nova Scotia from every burger sold. The lineup guides patrons all over the city to new restaurants and old favorites alike, all in the name of burgers! Raising over $560k for Feed Nova Scotia over the past eight years, it has become the largest fundraiser for the organization outside of their own initiatives. More here https://burgerweek.co/

4th Annual one-day Basic Income Conference
October 23, Join us from 9:30 – 4:30 (AST) | Central Library and Virtual
Speakers include Sheila Regher – BICN, Paul Taylor – Foodshare Toronto, Naiomi Metallic – Dalhousie Law, Kendal Worth – First voice and anti poverty activist, Wayne MacNaughton – anti-poverty advocate, Jennifer Brady – MSVU, Senator Kim Pate. In-person at the Paul O’Regan Hall of the Halifax Central Library Or Via live-stream with this link: https://vimeo.com/event/1362926/176e124e55 More here https://www.big-ns.org/

HRM’s Annual Volunteer Conference
Friday, November 9 8:30-4:30 | DoubleTree by Hilton 101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, NS
The volunteer conference is a celebration of the tremendous contributions of volunteers in the region. Residents get the opportunity to participate in training and networking to become more effective in their work and provide strong volunteer capacity throughout the municipality. Learn more and find out how to register here: https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering/volunteer-conference

Renaming Cornwallis
Open to November 12 | Online Survey
HRM is now conducting a survey until November 12 to collect new street name suggestions for Cornwallis Street in Halifax.  The renaming of Cornwallis Street project is one of the recommendations of the Task Force on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and the Recognition and Commemoration of Indigenous History, and a step towards reconciliation. Submit your ideas here: https://www.halifax.ca/home/surveys

Applications Open for Heating Assistance Rebate Program
Open Now to March 31, 2022
Help with home heating costs is available for Nova Scotians living on low incomes. Applications for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) open today, October 18, for the 2021-22 heating season.  The annual program provides a rebate of up to $200 to low-income Nova Scotians who pay for their own heat. The income threshold to qualify for the program is $29,000 for single-income households and $44,000 for family-income households. Applications are available at http://www.novascotia.ca/heatinghelp and through Access Nova Scotia, Community Services and MLA offices.

Additional Resources:

 

How can we help?

311 – HRM’s Call Centre
HRM’s call centre is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to respond to routine inquiries and complaints from HRM residents. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup,

Call my office
Call my office for assistance with your municipal issues. Please have your 311 reference number ready.  You can reach my Coordinator Liam MacSween during the business day, his phone number is 902-490-2012 and his email is macswel@Halifax.CA

Reach out to me
I’m always available to help residents.  Email is always better than a phone call, as I am often in meetings, and much of the time I cannot answer the phone. If Liam or 311 cannot assist you, please email me at waye.mason@halifax.ca or call 902.430.7822