Municipal officials decry ‘undemocratic’ effort by N.S. government to nullify bylaws
Developer Peter Polley detailed his frustrations working with the HRM planning office. Polley said the province should review other HRM bylaws that could be standing in the way of prompt development
.Halifax Mayor Mike Savage says a bill before the Nova Scotia Legislature that would empower the province to nullify HRM bylaws it considers impediments to construction is a blow to the relationship between the two levels of government and “out of step with modern democratic principles.”
Savage was one of five councillors and municipal officials who spoke against Bill 225 at the legislature’s law amendments committee Monday. When Housing Minister John Lohr introduced the bill earlier this month, he said it was aimed at a proposed Halifax Regional Municipality noise bylaw that would limit construction hours.
But Savage and others noted the change came without any consultation, and there are concerns about where it could lead. The HRM charter requires consultation before such changes happen.
“To be overruled without public consultation is distasteful in a democracy,” said Savage. …[Read More]