Another step forward from the city to protect Dartmouth Cove.
Halifax Regional Council voted 12-5 Tuesday, against a staff recommendation to wait for the Dartmouth revitalization plan to be complete before making a by-law to protect the water from infilling.
What was voted ahead, 14-3, was a first reading to consider proposed amendments that would restrict water lot development and infilling in the Cove and to schedule a public hearing.
The motion was tabled by Councillor Sam Austin who said waiting brings the risk of several property owners dictating what the plan will be.
“We should be letting the community vision come forward. We’ve done that in the past,” said Austin. “There’s precedent where we’ve brought in restrictions and then amended plans. That’s a totally valid thing that has happened in the past and I think that’s we should do here.”
Backing Austin up was Deputy Mayor Tony Mancini who said they can’t make decisions on what the province wants or doesn’t want.
“I’ll support Councillor Austin on this. You’re going to see Dartmouthians come out in full force on this conversation, and we need to have good conversation,” said Mancini.
Dartmouth Cove has been an ongoing saga for Dartmouth residents for years as the threat of infilling in the harbour space looms.
Atlantic Road Construction and Paving wants to dump pyritic slate into it but needs federal approval.
Transport Canada gave the green light but rescinded it last June.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not yet given the thumbs up.
