FHC Survey- Mayoralty Candidates’ Replies

There are 3 candidates for Mayor in HRM’s Oct 17 Election. Incumbent Mayor Mike Savage did not respond to the FHC survey. Below are the survey questions and replies from Max Taylor and Matt Whitman. Max seems to be a better friend of the Common. See details below

Max Taylor
Email: maxemersontaylorcampaign@gmail.com
Phone: 865.438.8866

  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. Efforts to protect existing greenspace need to continue, and should take priority over new development.

  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?

Two issues I’ve talked about on multiple occasions are affordable housing solutions, and improving environmental efforts. From my understanding, many of the new high rises built in Halifax will be incredibly expensive to live in. For these reasons, at this time, I would absolutely not support these new developments.

  1. 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?

I favour any initiative to improve our cities options in adding more green space. Halifax prides itself on being green, it’s time to put our money where our mouth is.

  1. 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’d like to see the space being used at all times. There is no reason that amateur players shouldn’t be able to use the space when it is vacant. This is a massive piece of land in the middle of our city with multiple schools (many of which have soccer teams) in the area. As long as there is some sort of supervision by management or security involved with the team, amateurs should be able to use the space.

  1. 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. It is clear Halifax is making efforts to improve it’s parking (new meters, new limits, etc.) With that in mind, if these improvements continue, the building of these parking garages would be useless.

  1. 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.

In general, new discussions about wider streets and wider sidewalks need to be had, especially if we aim to add more bike lanes in the city. That being said, information needs to be gathered to decide how we can do this in a way that doesn’t halt the city for months. It’s not a top priority at the moment. The same can be said for landmarks, and in fact, most of the plan. To make things as simple as possible, green space should remain green, and until we figure out a correct response to rebuild after COVID-19, the city shouldn’t have a single conversation about (often frivolous) development spending. Discussion about new development continues to arise, as it has since the 90’s, but like I said above, we are a city that prides itself on being green. We need to abide by our own philosophy. I have no problem with certain new developments (as long as they don’t interfere with green space, and offer solutions to the affordable housing crisis), but right now doesn’t feel like the appropriate time to discuss it.

Matt Whitman
Email: matt@whitman2020.ca
Phone: 902.476.6850

  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?

Maybe.  Depending on more detail and staff research.

  1. 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

  1. 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?

Expanded? No.

  1. 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.

No

  1. 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

  1. 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 answer from candidate.)