Spring 2011
AGM
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011 at St. Margaret’s Centre in Room 1 and 2. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. All residents of Westwood Hills are encouraged to attend as there is much to discuss. In addition to approving the budget, electing the Executive Committee for 2011 and nominating a Board of Directors, several issues have come to the forefront over the past few weeks, many of which are laid out in this newsletter. One of the community access points to Wright Lake is in jeopardy and could be lost to community use unless HRM agrees to take ownership of the land. There will be an update on the situation during the AGM.
Other discussion points include an update on the 23-acre community green space project, plans for Canada Day, the community yard sale, community clean-up, and fund raising opportunities for the subdivision. There is much to discuss. It’s your community. Have your say.
Falcourt Run Closure – A message from ASC Properties
We are writing to the residents of Westwood Hills to inform them of Halifax Regional Municipality’s refusal to accept ownership of the walkway off Falcourt Run to Wright Lake. We are truly sorry to advise the community that this decision results in the Residents’ losing access to Wright Lake from Falcourt Run effective immediately. The walkway to Wright Lake off Westwood Boulevard is owned by the Municipality and will remain as a public access to the lake.
HRM Parkland & Real Property Planning cites numerous reasons for its decision; the topography of the land, design of the walkway, and the ownership of Wright Lake. HRM have steadily maintained that they do not want to own and accept responsibility for the walkway, and are not willing to reconsider the decision.
The walkway does not meet the criteria outlined in the HRM Land Use By-Law for a parcel of land to legally exist on its own. The only way this would be allowed is if HRM allowed for an exemption of the existing rules for dedicated parkland purposes. In other words, we cannot transfer legal title of this parcel of land to anyone or any organization as it does not, and cannot exist on its own unless HRM is willing to accept the deed in its name. We have discussed the walkway issue with Councillor Peter Lund, and while sympathetic to our cause and a supporter of public access to watercourses, he has so far been unsuccessful in having HRM reconsider its decision.
ASC Residential Properties constructed and proposed the access off Falcourt Run for the enjoyment of the residents of Westwood Hills. We truly regret any inconvenience the Municipality's decision has caused to the community. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Virginia Bonn,
ASC Residential Properties at either (902) 826-3090 or virginia.bonn@empireco.ca, or Councillor Peter Lund at 497-7508 or peter.lund@halifax.ca.
Community Clean-up
The annual Community Clean-up is planned for Saturday, April 30, 2011. Anyone interested in taking part is asked to meet at the Tot Lot playground on High Timber Drive at 10:00 AM. The main areas of focus will be the public parks – the Tot Lot, the Green Space on Hemlock Drive, and the sliding hill.
This is a fun event for smaller children and an excellent way to introduce them to community involvement. Garbage bags will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves and wear appropriate clothing.
Yard Sale
The annual Westwood Hills community yard sale is being planned for Saturday, May 28, 2011, which falls on the last weekend in May. The rain date will be Sunday, May 29, 2011. This year, we plan to allow residents of neighbouring communities to rent space in the Community Green Space area on Hemlock Drive so they can also take part in our yard sale. Any money raised would be used to help fund the annual Canada Day Celebration. We also feel there is value to people in Westwood Hills in having more people involved, as it acts as a further incentive for people living in other parts of Halifax Regional Municipality to make the drive to our community. We will assess the success of this venture to determine whether it is something we should continue annually.
Residents of Westwood are also invited to set up in the Green Space if this is something they would like to consider. Many have long or steep driveways that are not convenient for yard sales. Others are living on newly-developed streets that may not see high traffic volumes. Residents of Westwood Hills will be able to set up at the Hemlock Drive Community Green Space at no charge. However, in order to accommodate everyone who wishes to explore this option, we ask that you please reserve a space no later than Saturday, May 22, 2011. Spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any resident of Westwood Hills wanting to book yard sale space is asked to contact Lane Farguson via e-mail at farguson@hotmail.com. Please include your name, address, and contact information.
Responsible Pet Ownership
While the vast majority of pet owners in Westwood Hills are diligent about cleaning up after their animals, there are some who could use a reminder. If you are a dog owner, please clean up after your pet. We don’t have sidewalks, which means the roadways and gravel shoulders are used by children, cyclists and pedestrians. Westwood Hills is one of the most pristine communities in all of HRM. Let’s work together to keep it that way.
Several residents have raised concerns recently about unknown dogs in their yards and in other cases, dogs running into or playing in traffic. Please make an effort to keep your pet(s) on a leash and off other people’s property.
Park Development Update
In May of 2010, residents of Westwood Hills were sent a survey regarding the undeveloped park lands located between High Timber, Hemlock and Wyndham. People were given a list of development options and were asked to rank them in order of preference. Of the responses that were received, the results break down as follows:
• 50% - Nature Trail (for jogging, walking, bicycles & fitness)
• 15% - Natural Park Lands
• 11% - Picnic Park/Playground area (similar to the green space)
• 10% - Recreation Field
• 8% - Community Garden
• 1% - Shelter/Structure for Events
• 5% - Unclassifiable Responses
The Park Development Committee is now involved with Phase 2 of the project. The first step is to work with HRM city planners to determine the feasibility & design plans for constructing a "multipurpose nature trail". It is important that these plans fall within the eligibility guidelines for Federal & Provincial recreational funding applications. Working with the city planners on the design, the Park Development Committee is developing a plan that will be unobtrusive for those homeowners bordering the park and at the same time functional for the entire community.
During this planning phase of the project, there will be no physical work taking place. It is unlikely there will be any actual development to the designated area during the 2011 calendar year, and the planning could carry into 2012. Please be assured the project continues to move ahead. Thank you for your patience during this planning stage.
Contact Information
Daphne DeMond-Rose
daphne.brian@ns.sympatico.ca
Paul Clarke
VPWWHRA@gmail.com
Francine Galloway
dfgalloway@ns.sympatico.ca
Lane Farguson
farguson@hotmail.com
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