“Porters Lake Residents Reject Proposed Sidewalks and Tax Hike: Halifax’s Rural Sidewalk Plan Faces Opposition”

1. Rural sidewalk plans facing opposition
2. Backlash against plans for rural sidewalks.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Halifax’s ambitious plan to construct sidewalks in 17 rural communities over the next ten years seems to be facing some challenges. The regional council had approved the list approximately a year ago, but recent public meetings in Porters Lake have revealed strong opposition to the proposed sidewalks. CTV News reported on Monday night that residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the project and their unwillingness to bear the burden of increased taxes to fund it.

David MacIssac, the HRM Active Transportation Program manager, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, stating that the feedback from the community helps inform the information presented to the regional council. According to the proposal, the area rate tax would rise by $33 per $100,000 of assessed property value. While this may translate to slightly over $100 annually for most residents, it would be a perpetual expense.

MacIssac clarified that this tax rate would be consistent across all interested communities, with Musquodoboit Harbour, Upper Tantallon, Hubbards, and Lucasville currently identified as rural priorities for sidewalk development. However, he acknowledged that any tax increase is currently a tough sell, given the financial strain many households are experiencing.

The initiative is part of the larger Rural Active Transportation Program, which aims to enhance transportation options in rural areas. Public meetings for Upper Tantallon, Hubbards, and Lucasville have not been scheduled yet, but two sessions have been planned at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour on January 31.

The overwhelming attendance at the public consultation meetings in Porters Lake, with dozens of people being turned away due to the facility’s capacity, speaks to the strong opposition from the community. District 2 Councillor David Hendsbee, who attended both meetings, acknowledged the residents’ concerns and emphasized the importance of completing the online survey or submitting a paper survey to document their feedback.

Hendsbee stated that predicting the reactions of other communities is challenging, as each community has its unique characteristics. He highlighted the stretched-out nature of Musquodoboit Harbour compared to the concentrated area of Porters Lake. The public consultation period will continue until February 15, with a final staff report to the council anticipated in the Spring.

In a separate development, regional council approved new urban sidewalk service levels, which include the construction of 55 kilometers of new sidewalks. MacIssac emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the council, but he acknowledged the interest in sidewalks expressed by many rural HRM communities over the years. He added that the council’s direction would be influenced by the level of support from each community, citing the positive response from East Preston in a similar project last Spring.

In conclusion, Halifax’s plan to build sidewalks in rural communities is facing resistance in Porters Lake. The community’s opposition to the proposed sidewalks and the associated tax increase has been made clear through public consultation meetings. The feedback received will inform a staff report to be presented to the council in the Spring. The ultimate decision on whether to proceed with the project rests with the council, taking into account the varying responses from different communities..

1. “Rural sidewalk plans facing criticism”
2. “Controversy surrounding rural sidewalk plans”.