News Release
HRM REGIONAL COUNCILLORS WELL PREPARED TO DEAL WITH COMPLEX ISSUES
(Wednesday, February 7, 2007) - Councillor Bill Karsten, Portland - East Woodlawn, expressed concern today about an article in Monday’s Daily News by Howard Epstein. Mr. Epstein wrote about the appeal to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board regarding the “Twisted Sisters” development in downtown Halifax. In his article, Mr. Epstein said that HRM Council “got it wrong” and insinuated that they did not follow the intent of the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS). Although, Mr. Epstein is entitled to express his opinion, Councillor Karsten, as well as other Councillors, are offended by the insinuation that they sold the land to the developer in 2004 and in order to get the best price offered a tower.
“It was sound and responsible practice on the part of Council to sell the land at a good price”, Councillor Karsten said. “Council’s sale of the land was not dependant upon Council approving the development agreement. The land sale was final regardless of whether or not Council approved the development agreement for the project.”
In addition, the article accused Council of “ignoring the URB’s ruling in the Midtown Tavern decision the previous year when it made its decision regarding the “Twisted Sisters” development.
“Council must consider each development proposal individually as each has its own balance of different policies,” said Councillor Karsten. “The two developments are not the same.”
The statement that Councillor Karsten found most offensive was that because this development agreement application was the first one that the full Council had dealt with in the Downtown many Councillors would not be familiar with the relevant policies.
“Councillors are elected representatives and are prepared to make decisions on complex issues,” stated Councillor Karsten. “We take our responsibilities very seriously and apply due diligence in familiarizing ourselves with the policies of HRM, such as the Municipal Planning Strategy. Mr. Epstein’s suggestion that Councillors would not take it upon themselves to study and understand these policies is offensive and degrading.”
The Councillor also took exception to the statement made by Mr. Epstein that 80% of the public who spoke to Council spoke against the proposed development. “In reality it was well publicized that speakers at the Public Hearings were evenly represented on both sides of the issue and to suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate,” said Karsten.
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Councillor Bill Karsten
(902) 476-1855
District 7, Portland - East Woodlawn
E: karsteb@halifax.ca
P: (902) 490-7032
F: (902) 490-5482
