Eisner Cove Wetland activists call for halt to housing project; developer undeterred
Ignoring “no trespassing” signs, security guards and a Halifax Regional Police officer, environmental activist Lil Macpherson was among a handful of protestors who took the campaign to stop construction near Eisner Cove Wetland straight to the source.
“You can't clear cut around the wetland and expect the wetland to survive,” said MacPherson, moments before she and three others walked past construction tape and into the wooded construction site, where Clayton Developments has begun the work on a project to build 875 housing units.
The protestors’ actions were independent of the Southdale Wetland Society, which was formed to try and save the wetland but did have the society’s support.
“They're really upset about these trees going down,” said Bill Zebedee, the society’s president.
He recently filed an appeal with the Department of Environment over a planned causeway for Mount Hope Village which will cut directly through the wetland.
Zebedee’s efforts to locate a threatened species of tree — the black ash — came up empty.
But he's still worried other potential at-risk species could be impacted, and wants the province to halt the project.
“So that we can get proper independent tests done by surveyors that are agreed upon by all parties,” he said.
According to video taken by MacPherson, it appeared contractors temporarily stopped their heavy machinery as protestors walked further into the site.
Despite the presence of police, no arrests were made, and MacPherson and the others emerged about an hour later.
“The immediate goal is to get them to stop cutting the trees right now,” said protestor Jacob Fillmore. “But we're asking the city or the province to buy back the property here and restore it to the people as a green space.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment says Minister Timothy Halman is unable to ask questions about that, as it is his department that will review the Society’s appeal.
The province fast-tracked that work earlier this year as part of efforts to provide “more affordable” places to live in the city amidst a housing crisis.
According to the Nova Scotia government, the 55-acre parcel of land at issue was part of a sale of 101 acres of “surplus land” near Neptune Crescent by Crown corporation Innovacorp in January of 2020. The total land area was sold to AJ Legrow Holdings Ltd. for $680,000.
That company partnered with Clayton Developments for the Mount Hope Village project, which received approval from city council earlier this year.
A statement from Clayton Developments indicates the company is undeterred by opponents.
“Clayton developments is moving forward with approved new housing at mount hope." writes Kevin Neatt, the company's vice-president of planning and development.
“All activity has been authorized by HRM and the Province of Nova Scotia. As always, Clayton Developments continues to engage with the community on our path to build 875 new housing units at this site.”
According to the company’s project website, the project will eventually consist of six city blocks, with 42 per cent of the units described as "affordable housing in the range of 80% of equivalent market rents."
Correction
A previous version of this story stated the project will eventually consist of six city blocks, with 42 per cent of the units described as "affordable" housing, with rents in the range of 80 per cent below market equivalents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.