Councillor’s Communique : May 2004 - Issue # 78 

REGIONAL PLANNING NEXT PHASE

HRM invites us all to come along and walk with them and share one another’s dreams about the future of our communities. 

During Step 4 of 8 planning stages in the new regional plan, HRM will be embarking upon another Public Consultation Phase on evolving Developmental Growth Pattern Alternatives. There are three concepts being proposed on how the future development and settlement patterns ought to be that will shape the infrastructure needs of our growing communities.

Alternative "A": Regional and Major Centres; 
Alternative "B": Transit-Linked Community Hubs; and 
Alternative "C": Multiple-Hub Centres. 

Each of these Alternatives will act as discussion tools to facilitate and engage public dialogue on possible future development policies on issues relating to open spaces, waterway access, transportation, transit, settlement density, community economic development, and harbour related activities. 

In early May, there will be another HRM Citizens Work Book out in limited distribution at the Public Libraries, HRM Offices and Community Centres. As well you can be placed onto a mailing listing if you register. Contact:

HRM Regional Planning
Hfx. Ferry Terminal, 2^nd Floor, Lower Water Street, 
P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5 

or On-line via e-mail at regplan@halifax.ca and visit their website for all pertinent information and details at www.halifax.ca/regionalplanning .

There will be 4 evening local Community Open Houses & Discussion Sessions from 5:30-8:30 PM at:

Cole Harbour Place (Wed., May 19^th),
East Ship Harbour Legion (Wed., June 2^nd), 
Lake Echo Community Centre (Thurs., June 3^rd), and at 
Musquodoboit Harbour ESDHS (Thurs., June 10^th).

BURNING ISSUE OVER BY-LAW

There as been much talk and consternation over the implications of HRM Open Burning By-Law O-103 since the proclamation of Provincial Fire Season on April 15^th. Due to the restrictions within that by-law, open burning of yard waste such as brush and tree debris is now prohibited until Oct.16th. 

In light of the circumstances of Hurricane Juan and the exceptionally late winter thaw, there has been a great deal of public interest to correct this technicality but amendments to By-law O-103 and its respective Administrative Order #33 are needed in order to get over this impasse. However; due to legislative requirements, Council can not unilaterally override its own By-law until the requirements of public advertisements and consultation via a public hearing have been held. That Hearing is not expected to occur until May 18^th. 

In the meantime, other solutions have been sought after. Hopefully on April 27^th, Council will alter Administrative Order #33 that specifies where this particular By-law applies. Once this administrative suspension of Municipal Burning permits is enacted upon, at that point, Provincial Burning Permits ($5) can be issued and controlled fires be allowed under certain rules and conditions. 

In the meantime, I have been asking for Provincial intervention by way of the Forest Act whereby the Minister of Natural Resources could have shortened the Fire Season in the eight HRM Districts ( #’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 18, 19, 22, & 23 - note District #1 is already exempt) that are outside of the year round Urban No-Burn Zone. This could have enabled the local Fire Departments to issue its own Municipal Burning Permits ( at No Charge ) and regulate the quantity of fires that could occur in the area in order to handle the probability and risk of having too many fires to respond to if necessary in the event that any of these fires should get out of control. Under the advise of his department, the DNR Minister was reluctant to give his approval to this particular request. 

It was certainty disappointing that both authorities could not have been more cooperative in trying to overcome this bureaucratic predicament. For a 14 day period, illegal fires were burning. People used their own common sense and judgment to burn while we were experiencing ideal weather conditions between April 15^th-27th but at their own risk and peril of being charged for doing so. 

Please try to abide by the law. Not to do so will not only endanger yourself but others as well. If burning is to occur, I would expect all safety precautions to be followed, procedures and rules of conducted as outlined in the By-law be adhered to, and most of all ... respect to fellow neighbours. No Burning ought not be exercised around those who have their laundry out to dry. Nor around homes with Indoor-Outdoor air & heat exchange units. Polluting home environs with smoke is not pleasant. Please be cognizant of those with health conditions that can be impacted by environmental smoke.

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  

# 3288 - # 7 Hwy, Lake Echo, NS, B3E 1C6  

Web-Site: www.hendsbee.ns.ca &  http://www.halifax.ca/ 
E-Mail: david@hendsbee.ns.ca  hendsbd@halifax.ca    

829-2465 (Office)
829-3620 (Fax)
483-0705 (Cell)
490-4050 (Halifax)