Halifax regional council approved changes to a land-use bylaw earlier this month to restrict infilling in Dartmouth Cove. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentIf the Northwest Arm has protection from infilling, why not Dartmouth Cove?THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThat was the rhetorical question posed by Claudia Chender, NDP leader and MLA for Dartmouth South, to a throng of reporters Thursday.Article contentArticle contentEarlier this month, Halifax regional council approved changes to a land-use bylaw that would give Dartmouth Cove the same kind of protection the Northwest Arm enjoys. It involves nine water lots in an area of 4.52 hectares.Article contentArticle contentThe bylaw to restrict infilling in Dartmouth Cove requires provincial and federal approval. Following a cabinet meeting Thursday, Premier Tim Houston said the bylaw is “ambiguous . . . not actually clear” and that his government “will take a serious look into it.”Article contentChender pointed out that the province did not intervene when similar rules were passed for the Northwest Arm in early 2024.Article content“The Northwest Arm, which is full of very wealthy residential homes, successfully advocated with the support of the mayor, then the member of Parliament, to pass a very similar bylaw. But Dartmouth Cove, which serves as a very important transportation corridor and recreation space for many people of low and moderate incomes, does not get that same hearing,” said Chender, who represents the area that includes Dartmouth Cove.Article content Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald listens to a reporter’s question Thursday following a cabinet meeting. – GLENN MacDONALDArticle content“What we heard (Thursday) was essentially a foregone conclusion. You had the premier foreshadowing that the bylaw was ambiguous. You heard a minister who’s brand new, saying that he’ll be looking at it. It’s really, really troubling. You have a private sector proponent who wants to create a dump in the middle of downtown Dartmouth for pyritic waste. Their argument that there is no room is specious. There is plenty of room.Article contentArticle content“The whole reality of this bylaw is that a very similar bylaw was passed for the Northwest Arm. The province did not intervene when the bylaw was passed. I’m not sure why the province would intervene in this. It would create a dump in the middle of a downtown urban area. This is not the way that any government should be doing business.”Article contentHalifax regional council approved anti-infilling protections for Dartmouth Cove in a 12-3 vote. Mayor Andy Fillmore, Coun. David Hendsbee (Lawrencetown-The Lakes-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore) and Coun. John Young (Hammonds Plains-Upper Hammonds Plains-Lucasville-Middle and Upper Sackville) voted against it.Article contentThe bylaw changes will be reviewed by the province, which had 45 days following the passing of the bylaw to either approve, reject or make changes to it.Article contentHendsbee said following the vote Oct. 7 that he expected the province to shoot it down.
Why wont province give Dartmouth Cove same infill protections as Northwest Arm, NDP Leader asks
