Of HRM Electoral Candidates for Councillor, District 1, Stephen Kamperman and Arthur Wamback replied. Cathy Deagle Gammon and Incumbent Steve Streatch did not reply. See Kamperman and Wambacks answers below:

 Stephen Kamperman
Phone:  902.880.9913
Email:  stephenkamperman@gmail.com

1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? Yes
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? No
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? Yes
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. I think the Wanderers have brought our community together and I think it’s only a temporary location
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? Yes
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate. No I wouldn’t master plans are made to protect green spaces for our residents
   

   Arthur Wamback
   Email: art@wamback.ca

   1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? Yes
      

    

   2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments?
      

    No Yes or No answer for this one. Increased density housing is essential to ensure Halifax’s growth and prosperity. As councillor, I intend to ensure any development proposals brought forward come with all supporting studies complete, not pending, as observed in the past. Any supportive studies are conducted at arm’s length from the developer with appropriate municipal oversight. All proposals will need to submit shadow and sightline studies and include a pedestrian plan which will provide for sidewalks and bike lanes as proper.

   3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? Yes
      

    

   4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. 
      

   As this area is outside of my District responsibility, I have not fully articulated any policy for the Wanderer’s Grounds. That said, I have stated in my community’s platform that parks, playgrounds, and walkways need to be throughout our District (and by extension HRM). We need to identify more “green space” to encourage families to be active and play outside.

   5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages?

   No, I would not actively oppose the Provence’s plans. I do, however, support an invigorated and comprehensive municipal oversight regime to ensure all options are considered while encouraging creative approaches to the parking dilemma.

   6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate.

    I am fully cognisant of the requirement for plans to evolve. Having not been part of the process in the development of the 1994 Master Plan, I am unclear as to the methodologies and insights used in its production. I commit to ensuring that any changes moving forward with the new Master Plan are thoroughly analyzed to allow for a comprehensive understanding of the Why behind any changes.