Halifax city councilors have rejected a proposed housing development in a historic Black community following concerns raised by residents about the project’s size and the presence of nearby unmarked graves of historical significance.
The developer, who also operates the Links at Montague golf course, sought permission to construct a six-story shared housing facility with specialized care services for seniors on Montague Road in Lake Loon. The proposed building would accommodate 125 housing units adjacent to the existing driving range, with the developer committing to funding a new sidewalk linking the development to the nearest transit stop.
During a public hearing held by the Harbour East-Marine Drive community council last week, several residents expressed opposition to the scale of the development, citing issues such as increased traffic on an already congested road, potential impacts on local water wells from blasting activities, and longstanding community knowledge suggesting the presence of unmarked graves within the development area.
Crystal Mulder, a resident living near the site, emphasized the importance of respecting the community’s ancestors and expressed concerns about the lack of a comprehensive archaeological study to assess the potential presence of graves. While a city staff report indicated that initial assessments did not identify graves in the development area, Mulder insisted that a more thorough investigation should have been conducted.
The province did request the presence of an archaeological monitor during driveway construction, with a commitment to halt work immediately upon the discovery of human remains. However, concerns were raised about the absence of a complete archaeological resource impact assessment, as recommended by the provincial coordinator but not mandated by Halifax.
Mulder argued that the proposed seniors’ housing development was unnecessary given the ongoing construction of seniors’ housing in a nearby community and the development of a new long-term care home by Northwood and Akoma Holdings. Despite Halifax staff deeming the proposal compliant with city planning regulations, the majority of the community council voted against the project, with only one councilor in favor.
Councilors highlighted various concerns, including the potential traffic impacts, the project’s scale relative to the surrounding area, and the significant archaeological implications. Councilor Sam Austin stressed the historical marginalization of African Nova Scotian communities in municipal planning decisions and emphasized the need for responsible development practices.
The Lake Loon and Cherry Brook communities are collaborating with the African Nova Scotia Community Action Planning (ANSCAP) team to formulate a community action plan and potential new planning strategies, mirroring initiatives in other communities like Upper Hammonds Plains and Beechville.
Anthony Riley, president of the Lake Loon-Cherry Brook Community Development Association, emphasized the importance of community planning for long-term sustainability. The developer has the option to appeal the council’s decision to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.
Riley expressed relief over the council’s rejection of the project but anticipated a potential appeal, underscoring the ongoing community efforts to safeguard their interests. The developer’s consultant did not respond to CBC’s requests for comment.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians, including issues of racism and community successes, explore the “Being Black in Canada” project on CBC’s website.
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