Residents raise concerns about proposed development near Halifax’s Sandy Lake

A proposed development could transform the Sandy Lake area near Halifax.

Dozens of residents packed into a public meeting in Bedford, N.S., Wednesday morning to weigh in on a proposal that could transform 600 acres of land near Sandy Lake.

Clayton Developments is leading plans for a new community development west of the lake on land it owns, with roughly 6,400 housing units planned.

That includes mixed housing like single-unit homes, townhouses and apartment units, along with parks, trails, and commercial and institutional spaces like schools, said Kevin Neatt, vice-president of planning and development with Clayton Developments.

“The vision is somewhere where people can live with their families, enjoy nature, enjoy the parkland, enjoy the trails and have some local shopping, and local commercia,” said Neatt.

About one-third of the land would remain green space and multi-use trails.

The project has sparked concern among residents and environmental groups, who fear it could damage the lake’s watershed and surrounding wildlife corridors. Many also worry the area’s infrastructure and roads can’t handle the added growth right now.

“The residents want more information and an opportunity to discuss more detail arounds things like the floodplain, the wildlife corridors, and conservation corridors,” said HRM councillor John Young, who represents the area where the development is proposed.

While the Halifax Regional Municipality hosted the consultation, it’s the province that has control of the project. Sandy Lake was designated a “Special Planning Area” in 2022, giving the housing minister authority to fast-track housing approvals and make the final call on development.

Environmental advocates argue the province should consider other locations for large-scale housing, saying Sandy Lake is too ecologically sensitive, suggesting there are better options for housing development.

“Those are still on the table,” said Karen McKendry with the Ecology Action Centre. “So the best outcome for all, relating to traffic, cost to the taxpayer and the environment, is to not have development here and not have this be a special planning area and to choose the areas that are better for the city.”

Bedford area councillor Jean St-Amand estimates the cost of new stormwater and wastewater infrastructure would be in the millions and says provincial funding will be needed if the plan proceeds.

“Show us the money, ultimately we need their (the province’s) partnership,” said St-Amand. “We don’t have the ability to operate at a deficit. So, we can’t take on this kind of capital infrastructure ourselves.”

The proposal remains in its early stages, with further environmental and infrastructure studies expected over the next two years, before HRM staff submit its recommendations to the housing minister.

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