Case 2023-01495 - Halifax Grain Elevator

2023-01495: Amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to Implement the Halifax Grain Elevator Land Use Risk Assessment Study Recommendations

Last Updated: July 9, 2024.

Project Status

The Halifax Regional Municipality is preparing to engage stakeholders and property owners who are near the Halifax Grain Elevator and is drafting amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (RCSMPS) and Regional Centre Land Use By-law (RCLUB).

Project Outline

On November 28, 2023, Halifax Regional Council initiated a process to amend the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (RCSMPS) and Regional Centre Land Use By-law (RCLUB) to implement the recommendations of the Land Use Risk Assessment Study – Halifax Grain Elevator report.

Project Background: Halifax Grain Elevator Land Use Risk Assessment Study

The Halifax Grain Elevator, which has been in use since 1924, is an industrial facility that stores grains, soya beans and wood pellets transferred to, and from, bulk cargo ships and rail cars.

The Halifax Grain Elevator is in the South End of Halifax on lands administered by the Halifax Port Authority (under jurisdiction of the federal government) and is operated by a private company, Halifax Grain Elevator Limited.

The municipality’s RCSMPS identified a need to understand and manage potential public safety risks associated with the Halifax Grain Elevator in order to shape future land development in the area. Given the quantity and nature of materials handled, grain elevators pose a potential dust explosion hazard. Mitigating safety features, such as dust collection systems, are in place in the facility. However, these features do not eliminate the risk of an explosion entirely.

As a result, the Land Use Risk Assessment Study – Halifax Grain Elevator was commissioned by the municipality in partnership with the Halifax Port Authority. Read the report.

The report provides recommendations to the municipality for future land use in the area between Marginal Road and approximately Barrington Street at Foundry Lane, through Atlantic Street at McLean Street.

The municipality will use the information from the risk assessment to update the RCSMPS and RCLUB.

The safety of residents and protection of property and infrastructure within the municipality are paramount. As such, the municipality will continue to work in partnership with the Halifax Port Authority to ensure risks outlined in the Land Use Risk Assessment Study – Halifax Grain Elevator report continue to be monitored, assessed and managed.