Council decides to hold off on developing Blue Mountain area
Posted Aug 12, 2010 12:50:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halifax’s Regional Planning Committee has voted to defer development in the Blue Mountain wilderness area that lines Bayers Lake.
The committee did authorize a watershed study of the area, which an area MLA is calling a dangerous step towards development.
Five years ago, the area was designated as a regional park. The area is within walking distance of hundreds of Clayton Park residents and just 10 kilometres from downtown Halifax.
But, the area has been eyed by developers. MLA Diana Whalen says she’s pleased that the committee decided to defer the developement at least for now.
“I’m very concerned that any development should be shut down,” says Whalen. “I don’t want to have discussion about development at all in that area.”
She says she’s concerned the committee approved a study of the area, which could lead to development down the road.
A city staff report says Halifax has enough land for at least 20 years without going into the wilderness area.
Raymond Plourde with the Ecology Action Centre says the committee made the right decision.
“There was a promise from the city to its citizens that this place, and several other regional parks, would come into being,” says Plourde. “And these were promises made to the citizens by the city.”
He says the watershed study is likely to prove that the area shouldn’t be developed.
