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Bedford Commons Opportunity Site

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a rendering of a possible future growth area in Bedford

Project status

The municipality has received development proposals for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. The municipality is reviewing information submitted by landowners within the site area and is awaiting additional documentation to be provided by the applicants. More information about the proposed development is outlined below.

For more information, please watch an introductory video that explains the planning process and the project's next steps.

How can I provide feedback?

The planning process for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site will include two phases of public engagement:

  • Phase I public engagement: Residents, property owners, community groups and stakeholder groups will have the opportunity to participate in an online survey and attend a public meeting.

  • Phase II public engagement: Residents, property owners, community groups and stakeholders will have the opportunity to review draft comprehensive neighbourhood plans and development agreement controls online and provide feedback prior to the amendments to the planning documents are finalized.

Public information meetings (Phase I of public engagement) were held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Bedford Legion Branch 95, 1772 Bedford Highway, Bedford. Thanks to everyone who participated.

A public hearing will also be held by Regional Council before a decision is made on the adoption of new municipal planning policy. A development agreement may be adopted by the North West Community Council after the same public hearing.

This page will be updated with more information on public engagement opportunities as details become available.

Project background

On February 6, 2024, Halifax Regional Council initiated a comprehensive planning process to amend the Regional Plan, the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and other applicable planning documents to develop a comprehensive neighbourhood plan for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. More information is available in the staff report.

What is an Opportunity Site?

The Opportunity Site designation under the Regional Plan provides high-level guidance for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site to develop as a mixed-use neighborhood with a range of housing and dwelling unit types.

Applicant proposals

BANC Group Proposal:
A development plan has been submitted by Fathom Studio, on behalf of BANC Group, for four of the five parcels currently included in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. An additional parcel (PID 41395831) is also included within the proposal and is requested as an addition to the Opportunity Site under Policy S13B of the Regional Plan. The development plan proposes to develop the currently vacant lands with:

• 27 multi-unit buildings ranging between 6 - 33 stories;

• 121 townhomes and cluster homes; and

• a total of 6,216 dwelling units.

The development plan proposes to extend Damascus Road through the Opportunity Site to Rocky Lake Drive to serve as the main thoroughfare for the new neighbourhood. Two main park spaces are proposed with one at the centre of the neighbourhood as an “urban square” and a second larger park featuring active recreation facilities.

Target 1 Realty Proposal:
A development plan has been submitted by KWR Approvals, on behalf of Target 1 Realty, for one of thefive parcels currently included in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. An additional fve parcels (PID's 00428896, 40111759, 40111742, 40111734, 00415679) are also included within the proposal annd are requested as an addition to the Opportunity Site under Policy S13B of the Regional Plan. The development plan proposes to develop the lands with approximately 550 dwelling units, split between townhouses, single-family dwellings, and apartment buildings between 5-12 storeys.

Plan and By-law context

While Policy S-13B of the Regional Plan provides high-level direction for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site, additional policy is required to enable development in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. The planning process will create a new set of municipal planning policies for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site which will be incorporated into the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and will align with the existing policy in the Regional Plan. Any development within the Opportunity Site will be required to align with this new policy set.


Project status

The municipality has received development proposals for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. The municipality is reviewing information submitted by landowners within the site area and is awaiting additional documentation to be provided by the applicants. More information about the proposed development is outlined below.

For more information, please watch an introductory video that explains the planning process and the project's next steps.

How can I provide feedback?

The planning process for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site will include two phases of public engagement:

  • Phase I public engagement: Residents, property owners, community groups and stakeholder groups will have the opportunity to participate in an online survey and attend a public meeting.

  • Phase II public engagement: Residents, property owners, community groups and stakeholders will have the opportunity to review draft comprehensive neighbourhood plans and development agreement controls online and provide feedback prior to the amendments to the planning documents are finalized.

Public information meetings (Phase I of public engagement) were held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Bedford Legion Branch 95, 1772 Bedford Highway, Bedford. Thanks to everyone who participated.

A public hearing will also be held by Regional Council before a decision is made on the adoption of new municipal planning policy. A development agreement may be adopted by the North West Community Council after the same public hearing.

This page will be updated with more information on public engagement opportunities as details become available.

Project background

On February 6, 2024, Halifax Regional Council initiated a comprehensive planning process to amend the Regional Plan, the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and other applicable planning documents to develop a comprehensive neighbourhood plan for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. More information is available in the staff report.

What is an Opportunity Site?

The Opportunity Site designation under the Regional Plan provides high-level guidance for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site to develop as a mixed-use neighborhood with a range of housing and dwelling unit types.

Applicant proposals

BANC Group Proposal:
A development plan has been submitted by Fathom Studio, on behalf of BANC Group, for four of the five parcels currently included in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. An additional parcel (PID 41395831) is also included within the proposal and is requested as an addition to the Opportunity Site under Policy S13B of the Regional Plan. The development plan proposes to develop the currently vacant lands with:

• 27 multi-unit buildings ranging between 6 - 33 stories;

• 121 townhomes and cluster homes; and

• a total of 6,216 dwelling units.

The development plan proposes to extend Damascus Road through the Opportunity Site to Rocky Lake Drive to serve as the main thoroughfare for the new neighbourhood. Two main park spaces are proposed with one at the centre of the neighbourhood as an “urban square” and a second larger park featuring active recreation facilities.

Target 1 Realty Proposal:
A development plan has been submitted by KWR Approvals, on behalf of Target 1 Realty, for one of thefive parcels currently included in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. An additional fve parcels (PID's 00428896, 40111759, 40111742, 40111734, 00415679) are also included within the proposal annd are requested as an addition to the Opportunity Site under Policy S13B of the Regional Plan. The development plan proposes to develop the lands with approximately 550 dwelling units, split between townhouses, single-family dwellings, and apartment buildings between 5-12 storeys.

Plan and By-law context

While Policy S-13B of the Regional Plan provides high-level direction for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site, additional policy is required to enable development in the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site. The planning process will create a new set of municipal planning policies for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site which will be incorporated into the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and will align with the existing policy in the Regional Plan. Any development within the Opportunity Site will be required to align with this new policy set.