FAQ

The Downtown Halifax MunicipalPlanning Strategy was adopted in 2009 following extensive public consultation process, known as HRMbyDesign.  The plan has brought growth, change and better urban design and has won national awards. 

Recognizing that conditions change over time, the Downtown Halifax Plan includes a requirement for annual and five-year reviews. While three annual reviews have been completed, the opportunity presented by the 5-year review is to respond to any trends and opportunities within the Plan Area, and address any shortcomings of the planning documents. This is also an opportunity to “take stock” of the Plan and ensure that the Plan continues to reflect the goals and objectives of residents.

Policy 88 of the Plan requires that a five-year review be conducted.  The Plan came into effect in 2009 therefore the review was initiated by Regional Council on April 29, 2014.  This is not a wholesale revisit of the Plan, but rather an opportunity to improve its administration and simplifying the approval process of smaller projects.  It is also important to hear the community’s input on issues that staff may not have considered. 

The 2006 Regional Plan provided policy direction for the development of the Downtown Halifax Plan, and the 2014 Regional Plan provides policy direction for the Regional Centre Plan.  While the Centre Plan is also progressing at this time, the Downtown Halifax Plan will continue to be a component of the larger Centre Plan. 

There are currently three related planning projects underway within or on the periphery of Downtown Halifax:

(a) Old South Suburb HeritageConservation District Project (Barrington Street South Precinct);

(b) Schmidtville HeritageConservation District Project; and

(c) Cogswell Interchange Redevelopment

It is anticipated that all three projects will lead to further amendments to the Plan and Land Use By-law, however, at this time they are too early in their planning process to inform amendments to the Plan and the Land Use By-law.

Public input is important to informing changes to policies and regulations, and we want to hear from everyone who lives, conducts business and plays in our downtown core.  Some of the questions that we want to hear back from the public include:  

• What do you think are the key successes of the Downtown Halifax Plan?

• Are there any challenges with the Downtown Halifax Plan? 

• Are the proposed changes relevant and helpful?

• Do you have any suggestions on the proposed changes?

• What else could be improved to ensure better design, process, livability, innovation and prosperity? 

Regional Council will make the final decision on the proposed changes with advice from staff, the Community Design Committee of Council and the Heritage Advisory Committee of Council. 

Based on initial research, experience of the past five years and stakeholder input staff has proposed some changes to the land use by-law.  Additional amendments may be proposed based on community engagement and additional stakeholder input.  It is anticipated that the review process will be completed within the next six months. 

The initial proposed changes will be presented at the public meeting on September 23.  Some of the proposed changes include: 

• Streamlining the approval process for smaller projects

• Better organization of the by-law with an eye on clarity and ease of implementation

• Updating definitions

• Changes to site plan approval categories

• New exemptions to the site plan approval process

• Enabling the Development Officer to approve Level 1 Site Plan Approval applications

• Changes to DRC Membership Criteria

• Independent, parallel process for applications involving heritage resources

• Clearer public engagement process for larger projects

• Changes to landscaping requirements

• Small flat rooftops will not be required to be landscaped

• Rooftop greenhouses will be permitted to exceed allowable building height by 8 m

• Solar panels and rooftops will be allowed additional rooftop coverage

• Additional lot and built form requirements

• Improved registered heritage protection with respect to demolitions

• Surveying of waterfront view corridors

• Changes to incentive or bonus zoning

• Additional flexibility for signs

• Reduce burden of wind assessments on projects limited to a max. height of 22 m.

• Attend the Sept. 23 Public Meeting & Discussion

• Provide written comments on shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/downtownplanreview

• Provide written comments to planhrm@halifax.ca until October 30, 2015

Luc Ouellet, Senior Planner

Planning & Development

Tel: 902.490.3689 Fax: 902.490.4346

Email: ouellel@halifax.ca halifax.ca