Halifax council rejects plan for Porters Lake construction waste facility
Residents near a proposed construction and demolition facility in Porters Lake are feeling relieved after Halifax council rejected a plan for the site. However, they are aware that the battle is far from over.
Kiann Management Ltd. has been striving to build a construction and demolition (C&D) processing facility on its property along Highway 7 for the past decade. The proposed facility raised concerns among neighbours about increased truck traffic, dust, noise, and insufficient screening for the sides and rear of the site. The aftermath of a forest fire in 2008 left the property with minimal vegetation and few trees.
Halifax municipal staff approved Kiann’s plan in April 2023, but residents appealed and expressed their opposition to the project at a public hearing before regional council members. Despite the staff’s assertion that the existing shrubs and proposed location of the facility would minimize the impact on neighbouring properties, residents and councillors were not convinced.
District 13 Coun. Nancy Hartling and Coun. Patty Cuttell questioned the adequacy of the screening measures and expressed disbelief that the criteria were met. The plan did include new landscaping features like berms and coniferous trees to conceal the facility from the road.
Residents also raised concerns about the facility’s potential impact on wetlands, wildlife, and water run-off affecting local wells. However, councillors were reminded by a municipal lawyer that their decision had to be based on specific site plan criteria rather than broader environmental considerations.
Despite the rejection of the site plan by a narrow margin of 7-6, residents like Mike Thomas remain vigilant. Thomas, who has been opposing the facility since its initial rezoning application in 2015, emphasized the need to continue the fight against the proposed facility.
If Kiann Management resubmits a revised site plan addressing the screening issues, the battle may continue. The proposed facility aims to recycle construction materials classified as CD-2, not as a dump like CD-3 sites. If eventually approved, Kiann would need to obtain various permits and licenses from both municipal and provincial authorities.
Halifax is currently updating its C&D bylaw to focus on mitigating the impacts of such facilities on surrounding communities. Stricter environmental regulations have been implemented by the provincial government, and Halifax is considering designating locations for future C&D facilities to prevent them from being situated in residential areas.
The fight against the construction and demolition facility in Porters Lake may have had a temporary victory, but residents are prepared to continue their efforts to ensure the protection of their community and environment.
