Halifax council passes bylaw amendments to protect Dartmouth Cove from infilling

Halifax council has voted to restrict infilling at Dartmouth Cove.

Halifax Regional Council has voted in favour of restricting water lot development and infilling in Dartmouth Cove.

Council approved bylaw amendments to protect the area with a 12-to-3 vote during a public hearing Tuesday night.

Mayor Andy Fillmore and councillors David Hensbee and John Young voted against the amendments.

A property owner had their sights on development by depositing earth and rocks dug up from other development sites around the city to create more land to construct housing.

However, a group of concerned residents have opposed the infilling proposal, wishing to preserve the land and water for public use.

The issue has been contentious at times between the two sides and has been going back-and-forth for more than three years.

Last month, council voted to proceed with bylaw changes that would restrict infilling in the Dartmouth Cove area, similar to infilling restrictions in place for Halifax’s Northwest Arm.

Since 2024, Halifax council has required a municipal development permit to infill the Arm and since 2007 it has restricted post-infill uses to boating clubs, conservation areas, parks, historic sites and ferry terminals.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas and Sean Mott

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