FAQs
- Getting up-to-date information from this webpage;
- Sending an email to the planner for this file;
- Attending a public engagement session;
- Attending a walking/rolling tour of the district;
- Filling out an online survey on this webpage; and
- Reviewing draft planning documents when they are posted to this webpage.
Who owns the lands within the Cogswell District?
Much of the land within the Cogswell District is owned by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Some lands within the district are also privately owned.
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. The District is currently under construction.
The approved design plan is only for public infrastructure. It does not include design rules for buildings, or land use requirements. Furthermore, Council directed staff to prepare an affordable housing strategy for the District.
The current planning process is intended to welcome public participation in creating the land use and building design rules, and affordable housing strategy, in the Cogswell District. 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.
Is the Cogswell District aligned with the foundational pillars of the Integrated Mobility Plan?
The Cogswell District design plan is aligned with the Municipality’s plans and policies for transportation, including the Integrated Mobility Plan. It includes a central transit hub on Barrington Street, several multi-use paths connecting existing and future bike infrastructure between Downtown Halifax and the North End, a reestablished street grid, sidewalks on all streets, and several high-quality and accessible public spaces. The public infrastructure is designed to be Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certified and is approximately half complete. If you want to learn more about the street, utility and park designs please visit the Cogswell District webpage here.
What is the proposed planning process?
The planning process involves amending the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (RCSMPS, AKA “Centre Plan”) and Regional Centre Land Use By-law (RCLUB), and creating an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District.
Specifically, this includes consulting the public and rightsholders, creating new planning policies and regulations, engaging other orders of government for advice and potential resources for affordable housing, and seeking public feedback on the draft amendments to planning documents.
How can I participate in the planning process?
You are invited! The public will be invited to shape these elements through the consultation process.
The public and stakeholders may participate in the planning process in the following ways:
The public will be informed of these public engagement opportunities through this webpage and municipal social media accounts. If you are a rightsholder group you will accessible. The district is planned as a walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented neighbourhood.
When will public engagement for the Cogswell District Land Use Policies take place?
Public engagement will take place beginning in 2024.