PRESENT:
Councillor Condo SartoREGRETS:
Councillor Bruce Hetherington, Chair
STAFF:
Ms. Julia Horncastle, Assistant Municipal Clerk
Ms. Donna Davis-Lohnes
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES - NONE
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - NONE
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - NONE
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - NONE
9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
1. INVOCATION
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
ADDITIONS
1. Minimum Standard By-Law - Councillor Cunningham
2. Dartmouth Common - Councillor Cunningham
3. Business Interruption - Councillor Cooper
MOVED by Councillors Schofield and Sarto that the Order of Business, as amended, be approved. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES - NONE
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - NONE
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - NONE
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - NONE
9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
11. MOTIONS
MOVED by Councillor Cunningham and Deputy Mayor Greenough the Rules of Procedure governing the Harbour East Community Council, Section 3, Subsection 1, to read "There shall be ten (10) regular meetings of the Community Council in each year to be held on the First Thursday of each month from September to June, inclusive.
Councillor Cunningham explained the reason for his motion by providing information on number of meetings, issues addressed and associated costs noting, that if there was the necessity for additional/emergency meetings, there was provision in the Rules of Procedure to allow for such meetings to be called.
Council members indicated their support of the motion.
Councillor Cooper suggested that when there are special council meetings, they be advertised.
12.1 Minimum Standards By-Law - Councillor Cunningham
Councillor Cunningham advised that Wrenchie's Automotive, 119 Ochterloney Street is in violation of the Minimum Standards By-Law and he is requesting a staff report regarding the business and what options are open to staff for rectifying the situation.
12.2 Dartmouth Common - Councillor Cunningham
Councillor Cunningham advised this issue is with regards to parking on the Dartmouth Common. He stated he had met with staff who had advised it would be a matter of placing notices on cars advising that within seven days no more parking will be allowed. They also stated signs would be erected advising that after the seven day period, cars would be ticketed. He advised nothing has been done to date and he is requesting traffic services address this issue.
Councillor Cunningham referenced the reconstitution of the Dartmouth Common Committee and requested former committee members be contacted asking if they wished to re-offer as a member of the new committee.
MOVED by Councillors Cunningham and Schofield that letters be written to the former members of the Dartmouth Common Committee asking if they wish to serve on the new committee. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
12.3 Business Interruption - Councillor Cooper
Councillor Cooper advised this was with regards to the improvements to the water system on the Dartmouth side of the harbour. He said main street is getting to a condition where businesses have been seriously affected by closure. The Councillor advised equipment and business owners are reporting that their loss of business is significant in those areas where the project will take three or four months to complete.
MOVED by Councillor Cooper and Deputy Mayor Greenough that a letter be written to the Regional Water Commission asking they make every effort to ensure that business interruption on Main Street, during this project, is kept to a minimum and that there be closer liaison with the project coordinator and the contractor with those businesses.
Deputy Mayor Greenough suggested, and Community Council agreed, that the letter also include that this apply to the Portland Street area. He said he has had calls from businesses in the Main Street area advising they are losing as their expenses are the same but the revenues are down because access to the business is not what it was. He suggested that two lanes going into town be open during the morning rush period and two lanes going out be open in the evening. He asked that the letter also include a request that they dialogue with the business community in the area to determine if they can offer some suggestions as to how the traffic patterns might be altered to improve continuation of the businesses.
Councillor Cunningham referenced Moffatt's Drug Store, Portland Street, and advised that it has been noted that work crews are stopping work for the day around four o'clock and suggested that during the months of extended daylight, hours of operation be also extended to enable work to be completed sooner.
Community Council agreed to incorporate the suggesting put forward as part of the motion. Motion as amended:
MOVED by Councillor Cooper and Deputy Mayor Greenough that a letter be written to the Regional Water Commission asking they make every effort to ensure that business interruption on Main Street, during this project, is kept to a minimum and that there be closer liaison with the project coordinator and the contractor with those businesses as to how traffic patterns might be altered to improve continuation of businesses. Further, that two lanes, going into town, be open during the morning rush period and, two lanes going out of town, be opened during evening rush period and that during the months of extended daylight, hours of operation be extended to enable work to be completed sooner. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Dennis Doyle, representing the Kiwanis Club of Cole Harbour/Westphal, referenced the Eastern Passage/Cow Bay Planning Review and expressed concerns that the recommendations regarding the Environmental Conservation Zone and stated he did not see the need to create such a zone. He stated this would create a situation whereby they would not be able to cut trees on the Kiwanis property nor build any buildings within 100 feet of the watercourse.
Councillor McInroy stated Councillor Hetherington was contacted by Mr. Doug Morash with a request for an opportunity for anyone from Eastern Passage/Cow Bay area, who had a particular concern that they wanted Community Council to hear, to make Community Council aware of the concerns. He stated Councillor Hetherington had agreed that those people could come forward and speak.
Councillor Cooper agreed to hear concerns, but not to debate those issues and concerns brought forward.
Mr. Rich Osborne, Main Road, Eastern Passage, stated Eastern Passage is being treated as a rural district. He further expressed concerns with signage in the community. Ms. Davis-Lohnes suggested Mr. Osborne request this be included in the Eastern Passage Policy Review.
(Councillor Schofield left the meeting at 7:50 p.m.)
Ms. Betty Hanrahan, Main Road, Eastern Passage, expressed concern with the proposed rezoning of her property. She said there are only twelve landowners in the area of the proposed rezoning. Councillor Cooper suggested Mrs. Hanrahan forward her comments and concerns to the Citizens Review Committee.
Mr. Gary Edwards stated he has property he would like considered as part of the review. In response to Councillor Cooper, Ms. Davis-Lohnes advised the property in question is outside the parameter of the current review.
Councillor Cooper requested a report be prepared by staff regarding the opening of this process to individual rezonings that are beyond the scope of the intended process and the ramifications of same for next Community Council session.
Mr. Doug Morash stated he had purchased his land because it was zoned commercial and on the main road. He does not feel rezoning from C-2 to C-3 would be beneficial he does not see the need to rezone his area and it may restrict future land saleability.
Councillor Cooper suggested Mr. Morash put forward a request that the area be put in a holding zone.
Mr. Bob Horne, Main Road, he said if the properties were rezoned they would make an island surrounded by commercial properties. He stated the properties in question are more suitable to commercial development.
(Councillor Cunningham left at 8:20 p.m.)
Mr. Jack Thomas, Westphal, stated trucks are still using Montague Road with loaded trucks passing at three minute intervals expressing concern as the children are now back at school. Councillor Cooper stated he had contacted the Regional Water Commission reminding them of the concerns with the trucks and advised he will be meeting with a representative.
Mr. Thomas also expressed concern with emergency vehicle access to the highway from the fire station.
Mr. Thomas referenced his tax bill and stated that although amounts are itemized, staff of HRM are unable to explain what those charges are for. He suggested personnel be familiarized with the items on the tax bills in order to be able to provide an explanation to residents who call.
16. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 1997, at 7:00 p.m.
17. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED by Councillors Sarto and McInroy that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
Julia Horncastle
ASSISTANT MUNICIPAL CLERK
