PRESENT:
Councillor Bruce Hetherington, ChairSTAFF:
Jim Donovan, PolicyTABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INVOCATION
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
7.1 Dartmouth North Community Centre Library8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. CORRESPONDENE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
9.1 Presentation 9.1.1 GoPlan 9.1.2 Macdonald Bridge Approach Study10. REPORTS
11. MOTIONS
12. ADDED ITEMS
13. NOTICES OF MOTION
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
16. NEXT MEETING
17. ADJOURNMENT
1. INVOCATION
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with an invocation.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED by Councillor Sarto and Deputy Mayor Greenough that the minutes of January 16, 1997 be approved as circulated. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
4.1 Staff Report re: support for a minimum fifty (50) thousand square foot lot development in the Cow Bay Area
MOVED by Councillors Cooper and Cunningham that the report be deferred to the February 20, 1997 meeting for discussion.
Councillor McInroy noted square footage has been an issue but soil conditions have dictated lot size.
Councillor Cooper stated his motion is a reaffirmation of the distinction as seen in the Municipal Planning Strategy between the communities of Cow Bay and Eastern Passage.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - NONE
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - NONE
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
7.1 Dartmouth North Community Centre
Councillor Schofield advised the Hon. Sandra Jolly has made a request of the Library Board to have the library named in honour of the late William Gardner Murphy.
MOVED by Councillors Schofield and Sarto that the item be tabled. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
9.1 Presentation
9.1.1 GoPlan
Mr. Allan Taylor, Transportation Planner, with the aid of overheads, presented the GoPlan.
Councillors were provided and opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification regarding different aspects of the proposed road system.
Councillor McInroy noted a section of the proposed road layout ran through the Cole Harbour/Lawrencetown Provincial Park System.
In response to Councillor Cooper, Community Council was advised flagging the land for road development at this time, rather than at the time of development, provides flexibility for other groups to study a variety of land use issues. Councillor Cooper went on to say it is important to provide a road system whereby the Lawrencetown traffic can access the #7 Highway.
Councillor Hetherington thanked Mr. Taylor for his presentation.
9.1.2 Macdonald Bridge Approach Study
Councillor Cooper introduced members of the Halifax/Dartmouth Bridge Commission.
Mr. Jim Donovan, Policy, and Mr. Dave McCusker, with the aid of conceptual drawings, presented the approach study report to Community Council.
In response to Councillor Cunningham, Community Council was advised the bridge construction deadline is 1999 and it is being recommended the expansion coincide with the proposed bridge upgrades.
Mr. Doane, Bridge Commission, advised tenders have been called with the expectation that a contractor will be selected by the end of March. He advised work can only extend to the end of November; therefore, construction would be in progress from the end of April to the end of November each year until November, 1999. He advised both lanes of the bridge will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In response to Councillor Cunningham, Community Council was advised there would be acquisition of Municipally owned land on the corner of Alderney Drive.
Mr. John Morrison, Windmill Road, questioned the life span of the bridge. In response Mr. Doane, Bridge Commission, advised the bridge was originally designed and built to withstand the weights of all types of traffic and, as a result, is strong enough to support three lanes of traffic. He advised noise level tests were being carried out and there would be provision made for a staff person to be available, on a twenty four hour basis, to address any noise complaint calls.
In response to Councillor Hetherington, Community Council was informed pre construction videos and photographs will be taken of the properties located under the bridge.
Councillor Cooper expressed concerns regarding winter traffic on the proposed ramps leading from Barrington Street.
Mr. Allan Ruffman, Fergusons Cove, expressed concerns that this is not a realistic plan and expressed concerns regarding safety on both the bicycle path and the pedestrian walkway. He suggested the ferry runs be increased as an alternate solution to any traffic concerns.
Councillor Hetherington stated these improvements would result in a high increase in taxes with the only resulting benefit being that of commuters spending less time in traffic. He noted there are a number of alternate options such as operating the ferries on a twenty four hour basis.
10. REPORTS - NONE
11. MOTIONS - NONE
12. ADDED ITEMS
12.1 Councillor Cooper
12.1.1 Cole Harbour High School
Councillor Cooper advised there is to be an enquiry regarding Cole Harbour High School which may have the potential of dividing communities. He said the situation and subsequent publicity has impacted on all the communities in the area resulting in less residential and commercial development. He stated he feels it is important that, if there is to be an enquiry, the operational situation in the school be looked at and that such an enquiry support all the communities involved.
MOVED by Councillors Cooper and Schofield that the Harbour East Community Council send a letter to the Regional School Board requesting that as they develop the terms of reference and any inquiry into the Cole Harbour High School situation, that the Harbour East Community Council be kept informed and, if possible, be involved, through its members.
Councillors expressed concern that this may be perceived as interference.
MOTION PUT AND DEFEATED.
12.2 Councillor Schofield
12.2.1 Amalgamation of Tourism Departments
Councillor Schofield advised that the Dartmouth Tourism and Convention facility is now joined with the Halifax Tourism Department and a citizens advisory group has been formed under the name "Harbour East Tourism Advisory Committee".
13. NOTICES OF MOTION
13.1 Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children
Councillor Cooper said the Home has plans for improvement and development but, until those plans are put in place, the original Home site has to be stabilized to preserve and protect it. He served the following Notice of Motion:
Take notice that at the next regular meeting of the Harbour East Community council to be held on February 20, 1997 I intend to introduce the following motion:
Whereas the Black communities have an important and significant part of Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality history and,
Whereas the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children is significantly a historic part of the Black community and heritage,
Be it therefore resolved that the Harbour East Community Council request Halifax Regional Municipality to facilitate a heritage designation and investigation for the original Home building and that Halifax Regional Municipality allocate emergency funding to stabilize the original Home building to aid in preserving and protecting same.
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. David Kurtz, Lynn Drive, advised of a property located at 7 Lynn Drive which has a used car operation not in compliance with the municipal by-laws.
Councillor Hetherington requested that Mr. Hanusiak, Administrator, Dangerous and Unsightly and Mr. Cliff Faulkenham, Police Department, survey 7 Lynn Drive and respond to him as to what measures can be taken to address the matter.
Ms. Lynn McKay suggested councillors attend School Board meetings as a way to keep informed on issues relative to their districts.
Mr. Ike Kent, Harbour Drive, Dartmouth, questioned why the 1997 assessment figures were not used when determining the tax rates.
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA - NONE
16. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. at the Eastern Passage Fire Hall, Caldwell Road, Eastern Passage.
17. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED by Councillors Sarto and Schofield that the meeting be adjourned at 10:05 p.m. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
Julia Horncastle
ASSISTANT MUNICIPAL CLERK
