Kelly urges dialogue on business park concerns

This is the second of two interviews The Burnside News conducted with declared mayoral candidates. The first was with Councillor Sheila Fougere shortly after she declared her intention to run. This month we speak with Mayor Peter Kelly as he prepares to retain his title for a third term. Mayor Kelly was asked to outline for us where he stands on a variety of business park issues and how a municipal administration under his continued leadership would respond to some of the more pressing needs.

Please note, in the interest of fairness, we have asked Mayor Kelly exactly the same questions we asked Councillor Fougere, even though some developments on the issues has taken place in the interim. His responses are provided below.



The Bio

Peter Kelly has served as mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality since 2000, after serving as counsellor for district 21 Bedford since 1995. Kelly chairs the Atlantic Mayors Congress, an organization he founded in 2001 to provide a forum for the larger municipalities in the region to develop a common purpose. He is the Honorary Chair of Halifax Region on Board, a fundraiser for Bryony House, and an active supporter of the Raise the Roof fundraising campaign against homelessness. Kelly announced his intentions to re-offer as mayoral candidate in late 2007.



BN: In the currently adopted Regional Plan, theres an economic strategy, an environmental strategy and so on. However, the plan doesnt lay out an overall industrial strategy. Would you as mayor seek to address this situation and perhaps work to develop an industrial strategy for HRM?



Kelly: Certainly industry is an important component of our Regional Plan and our Economic Strategy. That being said, Im a proponent of having an industrial strategy as well, incorporating something similar to the former Dartmouth or Halifax Industrial Commissions, which went by the wayside at amalgamation. If you look at the business parks alone, there has been tremendous growth over the past several years and they are a significant economic driver for HRM. We have to ensure we manage this growth well. That means growing smart and getting the most benefit out of our industrial sector. A dedicated industrial strategy would guide us and help us focus on this key part of our economy. The new Functional Plan for Burnside has been presented to the Regional Planning Advisory Committee and, by the time this has gone to print, has gone back to the public for consultation. It will come before Regional Council in the coming months. The Plan is a step in the right direction, but it doesnt go far enough. We have to ensure some key issues, such as infrastructure, park and open space access, transit and sidewalks, are tackled. As per HRMs Economic Strategy, we need to work with our partners to identify common values and vision around growing our community [and] create an alignment of strategic intent and rules of engagement to implement this vision.



BN: Transit service continues to be a major issue for business park companies. Under the former general manager for Metro Transit, Paul McDaniels, a proposal was put forward for a community bus service that was strongly endorsed by several of HRMs business parks. However, the proposal for a pilot program in Burnside was not given any budget by council and now McDaniels has left the region. Would you be willing to endorse and resurrect this proposal?



Kelly: Transit is an issue that must be addressed. I recently had the opportunity to interview Kelvin Sams, chair of the Greater Burnside Business Association, for my Eastlink Television show, Community Kaleidoscope, and a common theme that kept emerging during our chat was transit and active transportation to and within the business park. With more than 18,000 workers alone in Burnside, this is a critical issue for business owners and those workers, as well as for the HRM residents trying to access the park for work, products, services or leisure activities. The profile of the park has evolved significantly over the years, expanding from industrial to business and retail. I know that Metro Transit is currently working with the GBBA on a survey to determine new travel patterns and future transportation needs as Burnside continues to grow. These needs might include a shuttle bus or central bus terminal. Once the survey process is completed, we will make any necessary adjustments that can be made within our existing budgets.

Future service changes will be assessed to see where they will fit within the framework of our recently adopted five-year transit implementation strategy. We will be building a new satellite garage within the next two years. We will be able to make adjustments in the short term, but any additional buses or routes will be dealt with in 2010 once our new satellite garage is operational. Business Park route expansion will be a priority at that time.

In the interim, to date recent adjustments include re-routing the # 72 to travel down Commodore through Dartmouth Crossing to Highway #118.



BN: Pedestrian traffic and safety is a concern in almost every park. Sidewalks are eagerly sought in both Burnside and Bayers Lake along the main travel routes. What steps would your administration take to see sidewalks put into the business parks?



Kelly: Were doing what we can to improve active transportation options throughout the municipality and this year we will be constructing a new sidewalk from Akerley Boulevard to Wright Avenue. Sidewalks would be considered part of our capital budget and, as such, they must be prioritized within the numerous projects vying for funding in our budget each year. I believe we should be able to access sale of land funds in part to use on projects like these in the municipality that dont get funded by the capital budget. As well, I think its essential for businesses and organizations like the GBBA and the Bayers Lake Business Association to continue their efforts to work with me, the councillors and other politicians to ensure their views are heard and addressed.



BN: The number one transportation issue in Burnside is the creation of the Burnside Expressway to Bedford-Sackville. As mayor, which proposed route would you push for and how would you work with the province to get this project, already 17 years delayed, off the back burner and made a priority?



Kelly: This is an area that has been on the move since these questions were originally drafted, as designs are being prepared as I write this. The Bedford-Sackville connector is a priority for HRM, although it falls under provincial jurisdiction. According to our Economic Strategy, we need to work to develop the Halifax Gateway as the East Coast logistics hub. We have worked with the provincial government Ive met with the Premier, provincial ministers, and MLAs to help move the Expressway forward. I know its a priority as well for the provincial government as an integral part of a larger Atlantic Gateway strategy. I will continue to raise the significance of the Burnside Expressway during my regular discussions with the Premier.

As for proposed routes, my preference would be for the alignment originally proposed more than 10 years ago, with the existing Highway 107 extending westward from Burnside and intersecting with Hwy 102 at the Duke Street interchange. Burnside Drive would also be extended westward to connect to the new alignment.



BN: Zoning issues are a major concern in Burnside. Since everything is zoned the same, you can have an intensive industrial operation open next door to an established retail operation. Where do you stand on this issue?



Kelly: The proposed Business Parks Functional Plan, if passed in its current form, includes a conceptual land use pattern and a new site plan review process. This will take care of some issues, but any zoning changes beyond that would have to go through the public process required for re-zoning. Ideally, I would like to see various well-defined campuses as appropriate in each park, such as business/office, retail, transport and industrial. We have to find ways to ensure there are adequate buffers between these campuses that will allow the different areas to complement and support one another, but not impede each other operationally.



BN: The rapid growth of Dartmouth Crossing, coupled with the current and future growth of Burnside, means this area of metro will soon rival and perhaps surpass the Central Business District as the top revenue generator for HRM. Therefore its sometimes disheartening for Burnside residents to see so much attention focused on downtown. How would this change under your administration?



Kelly: I have always strived to ensure all areas of our municipality are recognized and appreciated for their merits and contributions to our municipality. The business parks are one of the areas we must recognize, particularly when you consider the significant impact they have on our economy.



BN: The city put forth a proposal for changes to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety on Windmill Road almost a year ago. We know recommendations were received and some of them adopted (such as sidewalks and longer turning lanes), but there has been no word since on the future of this project. Would you as mayor push this issue back to the front burner?



Kelly: A plan is being developed to improve safety on Windmill Road, involving turning lanes and median breaks. An extension of the existing bus-only lane up Magazine Hill will be constructed this summer by replacing the two-way centre left turning lane with a centre median, which will include well-placed media breaks. The plan will also see a transit/right turn lane constructed in the in-bound direction similar to the existing one in the outbound direction. We are still working on allocating funding for this project, but I would keep this issue on the front burner.



BN: Residents of Bayers Lake are concerned the proposed sale of 90 acres to Plazacorp will create even worse traffic issues and may cause shoppers to opt for new destinations, such as Dartmouth Crossing or the Bedford Commons. What assurances could you offer them these concerns will be properly dealt with?



Kelly: We all want positive growth in the municipality, but we have to be sure were growing smart. I think we were remiss with our established business parks in the beginning and didnt plan as well as we could have for the success and growth that has inevitably occurred. In this situation, we have to ensure we plan this addition to Bayers Lake right. Its in everyones best interest to ensure standards are met and that we plan with forward, realistic thinking. Traffic and servicing studies have been completed for this project and Im confident Regional Council will not allow this project to move ahead until were satisfied the traffic and servicing issues are handled appropriately.



BN: One traffic solution many Bayers Lake businesses would like to see is the advancement of the third entrance to the park, the promised tunnel under the Bicentennial Highway off Washmill Lake Court into Clayton Park. What sort of priority would you assign this project?



Kelly: I think that traffic is a top concern for businesses and customers in Bayers Lake and I support efforts to find smart ways to alleviate traffic concerns. I would consider this project a high priority for HRM and will work with the province to move it along. The potential development of Plazacorp project could accelerate the timing of this extension.



BN: Many Bayers Lake companies have concerns about plans to convert the abandoned CN rail line that runs through the park into a new multi-use trail. Other trail conversions have led to increased levels of graffiti, vandalism and even violence. Are you in favour of the conversion of this rail line into a trail, and if so, how would you address the safety concerns of affected businesses?



Kelly: Council has expressed an interest in acquiring the Chester Spur Line for a multi-use trail; we are currently in negotiations with CN. We will work with our partners to identify and address public safety concerns before they occur by employing our Crime Prevention and Environmental Design (CPTED) program and increasing public awareness. Community groups successfully manage some trails in HRM; there may be opportunities fro HRM to work with the Bayers Lake Business Association to help ensure safety and maintenance concerns are addressed. We have to be vigilant and use all of the tools at our disposal perhaps a Bayers Lake Watch or Citizens on Patrol program should be instituted. We certainly must all work together to make our communities safer.



BN: What message would you want our readers to take away from this interview?



Kelly: I would like Burnside News readers to know that as Mayor I do value our business parks. We have worked hard to develop stronger partnerships with the business associations in both parks by meeting regularly, keeping lines of communication open and taking an active interest in park activities and developments.

I think weve made steady progress. Burnside alone is growing towards almost $1 billion in assessment value and we have some great projects in the works the Atlantic Gateway Logistics Park, a new $60 million RCMP building, further growth at Dartmouth Crossing and City of Lakes, Plazacorp, the Burnside Expressway and the list goes on. A new building could go up on any given day in one of our business parks. I am proud of our successes to date and of the potential opportunities we see for business parks in HRM.

I am committed to continuing to build and enhance our relationships and to work with all of our parks to keep strategic plans moving and in step with the goals of the parks and HRM as a whole. I truly believe that what is good for the parks is good for our municipality and for the entire region. We have an exciting future and I look forward to forging it with you.

-30-