"A busy morning with media interviews all on account of Atlantic Road erecting two signs at Dartmouth Cove. HRM's contention is that the 2006 easement remains valid and that the 4 metre Harbour Trail is open. We don't own or have rights to Atlantic Road's property along the shoreline, just the 4 metre trail. Atlantic Road can erect signs and control access to their property, but they can't block the trail as HRM has an easement for that. Atlantic Road disagrees and is taking HRM to court over the bylaw changes related to infilling in Dartmouth Cove and is claiming that HRM's refusal to allow them to bring equipment over the end of Skokomul Street invalidates the trail easement. This is really a courtroom drama at this point and a judge will ultimately decide who is right. It is petty and spiteful to threaten the public like this. We live in a society that operates by the rule of law. The courts are where this dispute belongs. If Atlantic Road tries to blockade the trail again, HRM will engage with Build NS, and respond accordingly."
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One Dartmouth Cove is saddened to provide this update
In December, One Dartmouth Cove requested access to our property - the only remaining undeveloped privately owned shoreline property in Dartmouth Cove.
The City of Halifax (HRM) denied our request.
We requested access in accordance with a longstanding, 15+ year old collaborative agreement with HRM. The agreement allows the public to enjoy the Waterfront Trail on our land and that we, the property owners, can access our land over HRM property.
During the December Holidays we watched with growing concern and confusion - fears were stoked, protests planned and uncertainty spread in our own community as a result of our straightforward access request. HRM officials, knowing our intent, made no attempt to calm or clarify the situation.
Instead, HRM chose to inflame it.
For some reason HRM has seen fit to ignore its own access agreement, one that has served the community well for over 15 years.
We remain open to engaging constructively with HRM to resolve this issue. However, we must be realistic about the safety risks and liability concerns associated with the general public using the trail on private property.
Our goal has always been to work collaboratively with the municipality to protect public access while respecting private property rights and ensuring the safety of all who use the waterfront.
Situation Timeline:
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October 8th, 2025: Halifax Council passed the bylaw amendments restricting infilling at Dartmouth Cove.
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October 26th, 2025: Transport Canada approved amended application for One Dartmouth Cove.
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November 26th, 2025: The Province denied the HRM bylaw, unless HRM could clearly meet three conditions.
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November 28th, 2025: HRM submitted its initial response addressing the provincial conditions on the proposed bylaw.
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December 12,2025: One Dartmouth Cove sent a letter to HRM asking for permission for access to cross HRM property to get to their own property.
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December 15, 2025: HRM Responded to One Dartmouth Cove denying access and gave notice of Protection of Property prohibiting access to the property despite the agreement with HRM that allows a multi-use trail on our private property in exchange for access to our land.
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December 22nd, 2025: Province sent a letter to HRM requesting them to provide direct confirmation from Justice Canada that the proposed bylaw does not infringe upon federal jurisdiction, such as navigation or the Fisheries Act.
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January 2nd, 2025: HRM filed a notice of judicial review of the NS Government regarding its consideration of the proposed Dartmouth Cove bylaw.
The fate of Dartmouth Cove remains uncertain as ARCP pushes to infill and develop the area
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