Shannon Park planning continues despite COVID-19 challenges
Posted Apr 7, 2020 05:10:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canada Lands Company is forging ahead with the redevelopment of Shannon Park in Dartmouth, a spokesman said recently.
Chris Millier said the federal Crown corporation “continues its planning and development approval-related work” during these uncertain times and economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said with the approval last September of the initial part of Halifax city hall’s Centre Plan, Canada Lands “has made a formal application for a development agreement” covering the Shannon Park site, as required by the municipality’s plan.
Asked about the project’s timeline, Millier said Canada Lands expects standard, Halifax Regional Municipality planning processing will apply in this case.
But that’s “assuming HRM continues to operate consistent with its normal processes,” he said via email on Monday.
From city hall’s perspective, progress must be made on the COVID-19 front – a state of emergency currently exists in this province – before there’s a return to municipal business as usual.
“The health and wellness of our employees and residents is our main priority,” the municipality’s website says.
It says municipal staff able to work from home “have been directed to do so.”
Last December, which was prior to the coronavirus spreading around the world and reaching Nova Scotia, Millier told HalifaxToday.ca site preparation was “anticipated in 2021,” given the time it usually takes the municipality to green light detailed
planning and engineering work.
The project has been in the works for years. It was put on hold while municipal staff and councillors considered a proposed stadium for Shannon Park, a notion that was officially rejected by Halifax council last year.
A multi-use stadium serving the Halifax region remains on the books at city hall; other locations are being explored.
Situated between the MacKay Bridge and Tufts Cove, Shannon Park is an old Department of National Defence site dating back to 1949. Demolition of vacant military housing units took place in 2016-17.
The 33-hectare property is to be developed during a multi-year project that will probably include residential buildings, roads, municipal services, small commercial enterprises, landscaping and green spaces.
Development agreements in Halifax Regional Municipality include “the opportunity for input from both the public and regional council,” according to the municipality’s planning and development department.
Canada Lands hosted public meetings in 2015 and 2016 on the potential future of Shannon Park. The project is to include an Indigenous element, as about 3.6 hectares have been transferred to the Millbrook First Nation as part of its reserve land.
Millier acknowledged the opening this year of the seasonal Canada 150 Trail at Shannon Park could be affected by COVID-19 restrictions imposed to help prevent the virus from spreading. It normally opens in June and closes at the end of October.
Canada Lands “will comply with all provincial and municipal government directives relating to access and use of parks” during the public-health crisis, said Millier.
At a little more than a kilometer in length, the trail loop is a walking and cycling path that includes a lookout and signs for visitors.
Millier said a notice will go out to the public “when we are able to confirm an opening date” for the trail.
Michael Lightstone is a freelance reporter living in Dartmouth
