Mayor weighs in on Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park
Posted Jul 20, 2016 06:12:18 AM.
Last Updated Jul 20, 2016 06:14:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – There was more discussion at council on Tuesday about boundaries for the proposed Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park.
A highly-criticized facilitators report on the issue, penned by Justice Heather Robertson, suggested a smaller park and to allow for some development to help cover costs.
“In my view the facilitators report is not a starting point for me,” Mayor Mike Savage told Global News. “I think we can do more to protect more land.”
Savage offered no specifics on what that might look like, but council has put aside time at the July 26 meeting to debate the issue.
Councillor Reg Rankin proposed next week’s debate, and told Global News his hope is to see council extend the boundaries beyond what the report has recommended.
The cost is a sticking point, however. Robertson’s report noted Annapolis group is asking $6 million from the municipality for lands the HRM wants.
The report found the city appraised that land at $2.6 million.
“I certainly am prepared to invest in protecting green space in this municipality,” Savage told Global News. “Not at any cost, but I certainly am prepared to invest.”
