Proposed rules for Halifax-area floodplains don't offer immediate help, residents say

Residents living on a floodplain in the Halifax area want more immediate action from government while the municipality updates its land development regulations.

Several people expressed concerns at a public meeting Wednesday in Bedford, N.S., as the municipality sought feedback on proposed regulations for the Sackville River and Little Sackville River floodplains.

Regulations for the floodplains haven't been updated since 1980 and are outdated, according to the municipality. 

The proposed regulations would introduce restrictions on development in the floodplains to help reduce flood risk, but it's not enough for some homeowners whose properties have been damaged in past floods. 

"They're not doing anything, absolutely nothing, and the floods are going to still keep happening," said Marguerite Dodge, who lives on Union Street in Bedford.

Dodge said her home has flooded four times since she bought it in 2009, but last summer's extreme flooding caused the most damage. 

Several homeowners on Union Street have asked the province to consider buying and demolishing their homes.

"They can move my house, which would be ideal because now it's all brand new upstairs, or they can buy me out," said Dodge.

Dodge said she can't get insurance because of how often her home has flooded. She said it's not practical to wait for government funding every time it's damaged.

"It's going to cost more [than] if they bought the house," she said. "It just doesn't make any sense."

After last year's flood, regional council approved a motion from Bedford-Wentworth Coun. Tim Outhit for Mayor Mike Savage to write Premier Tim Houston to ask for a provincial buyout program for Union Street properties damaged by the flooding.

"I just don't see the point in replacing homes and basements time and time again," Outhit said in a recent interview.

"Even more important is the safety. Some of these folks got out of those homes in their bare feet, in their pyjamas, running for their lives," he said.

More answers to come

The proposed land development regulations for the Sackville floodplains come after the municipality updated the mapping of the floodplains in recent years. 

The regulations would include the creation of zones. 

Floodway zone regulations would apply to areas with a five per cent chance of flooding in any given year. Flood fringe zone regulations would apply to the outer boundary of the floodplain having a one per cent chance of flooding.

Permitted use in the floodway zone would include roads, public utilities, trails, parking lots and conservation.

Residential institutions such as hospitals, daycares and shared housing would not be prohibited in the flood fringe zone because of evacuation concerns. 

Paula Logie owns a piece of land in the floodplain. She said she attended the meeting to learn what the new regulations would mean for her property. 

"It's worth $100,000," Logie said. "Is it worthless now? That's my question. If they do decide they're going to buy out these houses, are they going to give the people fair market value?"

Outhit said more questions will be answered as municipal staff compile a report for the proposed regulations that will eventually be brought to regional council.

"It's just the beginning," he said. "Frankly, it's going to take a whole lot of things to make these areas safer if indeed they can be made safer."

Another public engagement session will be held next Wednesday at the Sackville Lions Club in Lower Sackville, N.S.