Halifax Regional Municipality’s residents are being encouraged by Councillor Sam Austin to contact the authorities if construction crews appear next week at Dartmouth Cove, a prominent area along the city’s waterfront. The city has informed a company seeking to develop the location that they are not permitted to cross the municipal easement, which includes a public park and a paved walking trail by the shoreline, to access the water.
Mayor Andy Fillmore notified the province that construction activities were scheduled to commence on January 5. Austin emphasized that any construction crews trespassing the park area would be in violation of the law and should be reported to the police immediately.
A business linked to Tom Hickey’s Atlantic Road Construction and Paving Limited owns various properties surrounding Dartmouth Cove, including water lots with historical rights to adjacent submerged land. The company plans to deposit pyritic slate for a future development, potentially including housing, which has faced opposition from the city and local community groups.
While the company aims to begin constructing a service road next week, obtaining building permits and other necessary approvals, including federal regulations governing harbors, are essential before initiating any building projects.
A bylaw restricting infilling at Dartmouth Cove was passed by the city in October and subsequently approved by the province in November with specific conditions pending final authorization. Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald confirmed the city’s authority to regulate infilling but requested additional evidence related to property boundaries and federal jurisdiction concerns.
Jill Brogan, founder of the Save Dartmouth Cove community group, criticized the perceived double standard in the treatment of Dartmouth Cove compared to the Northwest Arm, highlighting disparities in regulation. NDP Opposition leader Claudia Chender emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the city and province to manage the disposal of excavated pyritic slate, noting the capacity of the Halifax Port Authority for such waste.
The existing bylaw permits infilling at Dartmouth Cove for public purposes or shoreline protection, while discussions continue on final approvals and regulatory frameworks to govern development activities in the area.