The Backlands Coalition

Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Denver Botanic Gardens Outreach, was enthralled by our Backlands on a recent visit to Halifax, and pleads for their preservation. Read Panayoti’s blog “Blueberries and crowberry make a groundcover that would be the envy of any designer!…More than anything, I kept thinking “Japanese Garden” as I looked around the area–the gnarly little jackpines and the rich texture of groundcover could easily be tweaked to create a heavenly Japanese garden if one wished to do so: why bother–I prefer what’s already here!”

A resident of Ferguson’s Cove forwarded this 2006 Bird’s eye view of the Backlands with this message” “I’ve recently received this 2006 bird’s eye view of the ‘big picture’ that includes the Backlands. A picture is worth a thousand words. Wonderful, wonderful work everyone!” Thanks!

 
 
 

Spring has sprung, finally!

From Metro News: “Tie vote ends development debate on contentious Purcell’s Cove backlands issue…City staff will lead a process examining the possibility of bringing the Purcell’s Cove backlands into public ownership after a vote defeated the prospect of opening the lands up for development.” More details in Halifax Media Co-op article. Also Catherine McKinnon on Rick Howe Show (Go to 16 min.)

An article in the Metro new today (May 19th) cites the Backlands as a key issue in the upcoming decisions related to RP+5. Read article

Halifax Councillors are expected to vote tomorrow on a controversial request by four developers to change the current Urban Reserve designation for a significant portion of the Purcell’s Cove/Williams Lake Backlands. The issue is on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting, as part of the larger debate and vote on final revisions for the Regional Plan.

“We’re counting on our elected representatives to heed the wishes of their constituents, and also to follow the advice of City Planning Staff. Staff have been unwavering in their stance on this issue,” says Catherine McKinnon of the Backlands Coalition. Continue reading →

The Staff Report was released yesterday. Here are some comments from OurHRM Alliance:

Dear Alliance,
Our HRM Alliance fully endorses the staff report on the proposed amendments to the Regional Plan. It uses strong language to reject nearly all amendments. The report can be found here:
http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/140520cow3i.pdf
Here are the key points:
The report recommends against changing the Purcell’s Cove and Westphal Urban Reserve designations because there is already enough land prepared to be developed in those areas. Development there would also be “pre-mature” because more needs to be done to study the water and traffic impacts of development on those lands. Continue reading →

Whether we keep a strong regional plan could be decided in the coming days. Today, Staff releases their report on the last-minute proposed amendments to the regional plan. On Tuesday May 20: Committee of the Whole meets to discuss the amendments. Depending on time, Regional Council may also be held, in which case the amendments may be decided on the same day. Those who support maintaining a strong regional plan are encouraged to attend Council on Tuesday, May 20th. The amendments would have a huge impact. Urban forests in Purcell’s Cove and and near Cole Harbour are at risk. If sewer is extended as far as proposed, we will all pay in dearly in fees and taxes. Some changes could create loopholes that would open up the possibility of development nearly anywhere in the region. Tuesday is an opportunity to show councillors residents do not want rules to be changed the moment they are inconvenient for developers. View A list of the amendments. An article by Tristan Cleveland in the Coast which addresses some of these issues. See Agenda & Reports

The Annual General Meeting of the Williams Lake Conservation Company will be held at 7:00 on Wednesday, May 14th at the Captain Spry Centre, 10 Kidston Rd, Spryfield. Dr David Patriquin will present highlights of the Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities of the Williams Lake Backlands that he and Dr. Nick Hill recently completed on behalf of the WLCC. The AGM is also an opportunity for us to review the year’s activities and for you to bring forward your concerns and observations. Everyone is welcome. See Q&A with David P on Plant life study for Williams Lake Backlands in Saturday’s (May 9) Chronicle Herald or online | Interview on Information Mornings

HRM regional Council will (tentatively) discuss amendments to the Regional Plan that would greatly reduce controls on development and our eventual greenbelt on Tuesday May 20th. OurHRM Alliance opposes these amendments because they were made last-minute, at the first reading of the plan, at which point there is little opportunity for public input. The date of the discussion will remain tentative until May 16, the same day staff will be releasing a report on the proposed amendments. Stay Tuned!