FAQs
An open house on May 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Halifax Convention Centre
Design Walks of the Cogswell District on June 4, 5, and 8 with municipal planning staff to provide your thoughts on building design in the Cogswell District
A Reddit Ask me Anything on June 6 from 5 to 9pm
A survey, which closed on June 15
What is the Cogswell District project?
The Cogswell District project will convert 16 acres of road infrastructure into a mixed-use neighbourhood, extending the entrance of the downtown northwards and reuniting communities separated by the interchange lands. The urban street grid will be reinstated and will create development blocks capable of supporting new residential and commercial environments for thousands of residents.
For more information about the project, visit: halifax.ca/cogswell.
I thought the Cogswell Design was already approved by Council. Why is this planning process happening?
On February 26, 2019, Halifax Regional Council approved a construction design plan for the streets, utilities and parks in the Cogswell District. As of July 2024 construction is about 60% complete.
The approved design plan is only for public infrastructure. It does not include design rules for buildings, or land use requirements. Furthermore, Regional Council directed staff to prepare an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District.
The current planning process is intended to welcome community engagement in creating the land use and building design rules, and affordable housing strategy. Amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (commonly known as “Centre Plan”) and the Regional Centre Land Use By-law, are needed to implement the building design and land use rules.
Will there be affordable housing in the Cogswell District?
Regional Council directed staff to prepare an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District. Staff are currently engaging with non-profit housing providers, community groups, and other orders of government to receive advice on this. Residents are invited to provide their feedback by contacting the planner for this file.
Who owns the lands in the Cogswell District?
Most of the land within the Cogswell District is owned by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Five (5) new blocks of land will be created in the district as a result of the infrastructure project, for potential future development. Some lands within the district are also privately owned.
When are the engagement sessions regarding land use planning policies in the Cogswell District?
Formal engagement for the Cogswell District Land Use Policies took place in May and June, 2024, and has now concluded. The engagement activities included:
Residents wishing to engage in the process and provide feedback may now email the planner on file.
What is the goal of the engagement sessions?
The municipality sought feedback on building design rules, such as building heights and materials, and permitted land uses, such as mixed-use, residential, commercial, etc. The municipality also sought feedback on an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District. The municipality will share its findings in a What We Heard report.
What is the timeline for this engagement?
Following community engagement sessions in May and June 2024, the municipality will share a What We Heard report and share the draft amendments to existing planning documents. The draft amendments will be posted on our website before they are brought to Regional Council for discussion in 2025.