This past week, we’ve seen some great movement from the Municipality on efforts to prevent infill in Dartmouth Cove. HRM City Council has been moving forward with the request to investigate the federal government’s willingness to work together on developing a bylaw solution to restricting infill activity in Dartmouth Cove. Previously, HRM believed that there was no desire on the part of the federal government to cooperate, especially following Transport Canada’s April approval of Atlantic Road Construction and Paving (ARCP)’s application to infill. That situation changed after that decision was rescinded in June. This past Tuesday, Halifax City Council discussed a motion to further explore amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and the Land Use By-law (LUB). Similar to their legal threats against MP Darren Fisher, ARCP issued a letter to Halifax City Council ahead of their meeting, threatening to close the waterfront trail along Dartmouth Cove immediately if they pursued these actions.
Screenshots via Waterfront Media HFX
While this threat is deeply concerning, it also highlights the importance of the protections being pursued by Halifax City Council. It is a reminder of the stakes involved and the need for continued vigilance and advocacy. Fortunately, Halifax City Council was undeterred by this letter and the motion was passed. This is another critical step in the path forward to make changes to the bylaw a reality. These proposed amendments aim to restrict the development and infilling of water lots in Dartmouth Cove, similar to the protections already in place for the Northwest Arm.
This decision marks a significant victory for those who value preserving Dartmouth Cove’s natural beauty and ensuring it remains accessible to the public. It is also a huge win for the Center For Oceanview Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), whose world renowned research and NATO partnership depends upon unimpeded access to Dartmouth Cove. Their request for a judicial review of Transport Canada's April approval of ARCP's proposal has been critical in moving the needle with this type of action. The environmental and community benefits of this move are clear: maintaining public waterfront access, protecting delicate ecosystems, and preventing the negative impacts of increased truck traffic on the surrounding area and loss of natural assets.
Developer Pushback and Political Tensions
Atlantic Road Construction and Paving (ARCP), the developer involved in this area, has voiced strong opposition to the Council’s decision. Last month, ARCP filed a complaint accusing MP Darren Fisher of interfering with their proposal. The developer claims that Fisher’s involvement has created unnecessary obstacles to their project and is undermining their efforts to proceed with the planned infill, ultimately blaming Fisher for Transport Canada’s decision to rescind their approval. In an interview last month with AllNovaScotia, Tom Hickey said,
“we’re definitely going to fight it, and we’re definitely going to get our permit. It just depends on how much money the government wants to waste before they accept their own department’s recommendation.”
ARCP's stance highlights the ongoing tension between development interests and community and environmental concerns. It's clear that this battle is far from over, as this developer continues to push for their right to proceed, while local representatives and community members fight to ensure any development is done responsibly and in the public interest.
What’s Next?
Halifax City Council’s actions are a step in the right direction, but the battle to protect Dartmouth Cove is ongoing. We encourage everyone to reach out to their local representatives to express their support for these measures and to stand up for the preservation of our natural spaces.
We also want to take this moment to thank Halifax City Council and MP Darren Fisher for their efforts to protect Dartmouth Cove. Their leadership is crucial in ensuring that our community’s interests come first.
Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure that Dartmouth Cove remains a place for everyone to enjoy. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor this situation and advocate for responsible development that respects both our environment and our community.
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