East Hants passes controversial flood plains bylaw
Some Shubenacadie residents frustrated with council’s decision
Despite protests from members of Shubenacadie, East Hants council passed an updated municipal planning strategy, which includes putting several properties into a high-risk flood plain zone.
This comes following a crowded public hearing on July 12, where dozens of residents came out to show their disapproval with the plan; many saying the study was inadequate and that their livelihoods would be severely impacted.
Although the decision was delayed and the original motion was amended to include an education component, with potential for future mitigation, the motion passed this week.
A total of 26 properties in Shubenacadie will now be re-zoned and classified as part of the high-risk flood plain once council’s updated municipal planning strategy is approved by the province.
Kim Williams, a citizen who has a property affected by the rezoning, said the decision was not the result he was hoping for.
“I hate to see people have to spend their own money to contest the findings, but I believe we’re going to have to do some elevation shots in the village to prove that the Lidar the study used are inaccurate,” Williams said.
“I’ve found some parts of the study that have the elevation off by seven or eight feet.”
Williams said he understands the need to have an updated flood map, but he doesn’t think the CBCL study is enough.
“Sure, there are probably some houses that are too close to the river and maybe should be in it, but not 70 of them, along with businesses,” he said.
“If enough homeowners can show them that their properties are higher than the projection, then they’re going to have to take another look at it.”
Williams says the Save Our Shubie group will continue to meet regularly.
Councillor concerned about property values
Coun. Keith Rhyno, who represents District 5, which borders Shubenacadie, voted against the amended motion saying he’s hopeful East Hants will work towards remediation for affected residents, similar to other municipalities. “I want to see what’s been done in other jurisdictions,” Rhyno said following the vote.
“I’ve talked to a councillor in Colchester, and it seems fair what they did there. I want to be open ... I want to hear what’s out there for remediation.”
Rhyno said this was an important issue to him because he thinks homeowners will see property values lowered by the flood plains rezoning.
“I’m not happy, but I have to respect the wishes of council,” Rhyno said.
“I do believe that property values of certain homes will take a hit. If I had a home there and woke up one day and found that the value of my home had diminished, that’s a hit.”
John Woodford, the director of planning and development for East Hants, said he’s glad Plan East Hants will proceed.
“It was a long process. I am pleased we have the new documents approved,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of good policy changes in there; there’s some tough decisions too, like with the flood plain, but I think it’s a pretty good package.”