Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the Nova Scotia government are pushing through zoning bylaw changes to allow for “an anything-goes approach” to building throughout the city.

The Liveable Halifax Coalition is an alliance of communities and citizens who actively support smart development and densification in HRM. We all recognize that our city is in dire need of affordable housing. 

But the unruly approach to densification we’re now witnessing is concerning. Basic checks and balances, to ensure the quality of our urban environment, have been erased from planning reviews. 

The breakneck speed of development has already had a negative impact on

• city services
•  traffic
• parking
• heritage preservation, and
• green space

What’s worse is that the new zoning bylaws do little to ensure increased levels of affordable housing. City streetscapes are being razed to build apartment towers with rents well over $2000/month. Relying on a ‘trickle-down effect’ is not a well-grounded planning strategy to ensure that people have the homes they need at a price they can afford.

The changes these bylaws allow will be irreversible. Before our city is damaged beyond repair, we ask that you put in place specific risk-management strategies to

•  mitigate potential harms arising from developments; 
• mandate real consultation with existing communities before developments are approved; 
• address infrastructure pressures;
• ensure public safety with updated evacuation routes; and 
• align projects with current strategies such as the Integrated Mobility Plan and the Environmental Protection Plan.

We understand our new mayor and many councillors have expressed concern about unfettered growth.  Further, Council has asked the Province for legal protection from potential citizen claims of “constructive taking and de facto expropriation of private property” by allowing such rapid and unchecked development in HRM as a result of the Provincial Regulations. 

That’s why the signatories of this petition are asking that zoning bylaws mandate a three-month period of active community engagement and involvement before the approval of any development project. We also ask Council to withdraw this request for legal protection by the Province.