Map shows Halifax green spaces in conflict with development zones

An environmental advocacy organization in Halifax has created a map showing development conflicts with 75 per cent of the green spaces identified by municipal planners as important orcritical.

Halifax has spent more than a year working on a network of green corridors. Its aim is to protect and manage openspaces over the long term while still promoting community development.

The manager in charge of the process calls it an "ecosystem"approach.

"We're not using a greenbelt approach," said Holly Richardson, aplanner with the municipality. "It won't protectHRM'sopen-space diversity."

But the Ecology Action Centresaidmany of the corridors overlap with designated growthareas andzoning that already allows development, particularly near Hammonds Plains, Fall River and Porters Lake.

"Obviously we might not be able to preserve every single corridor, but 75 per centhighlights a big problem," said Jenny Lugar, the centre's sustainable cities co-ordinator.

'It's backwards'

Lugar applaudedthe research that has gone into identifying all the green spaces.But she saidthe information should be used to determine where development should not be allowedandnot just referenced during individual development proposals.

"It's backwards to do it like that," said Lugar.

"You need to plan upfront for where you want to protect and then you plan for where you want to develop and grow."

Richardson insists once thegreen network plan is approved, it will graduallylead to changes.

"This plan is so complex and comprehensive that it will take multipleyears to implement," said Richardson.

"But it will give us the analysis to influence future planning amendments."

Final meetings

A final series of public meetings on the green network plan will be held this month andJune. Planners expect to present a final draft of the plan by the fall.

• May 15from6-8p.m.at the NSCC Waterfront Campus Dartmouth
• May 16from6-8p.m.at the Atlantica Hotel Halifax
• May 17from6-8p.m.at Ecole Secondaire du Sommet Larry Uteck Boulevard
• May 31from7-9p.m.at Sir John A. MacDonald High School, Upper Tantallon
• June 7from6-8p.m.at the Bicentennial Theatre, Middle Musquodoboit
• June 8from6-8p.m.at the Lions Club, Sheet Harbour
• June 12from6-8p.m.at the Old School Community Gathering Place, Musquodoboit Harbour