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Case 2023-01495 - Halifax Grain Elevator

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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: March 11, 2025

Project Status

The public feedback period has ended. The Municipality thanks everyone who participated. Residents seeking information may continue to submit questions via growthplanning@halifax.ca.

Should Regional Council choose to move forward with a public hearing, notice of the hearing will be posted to this webpage.

Project Outline

On Nov. 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 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.

What are the proposed amendments to planning documents?

The proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-law include the following:

  • establishing buffers from the HGE and changing permitted land uses within the buffers to align with established risk acceptance standards;
  • creating risk-mitigation built-form requirements for buildings in the buffers, such as orienting pedestrian entrances away from the HGE, and limiting doors and windows facing the HGE to a maximum of 15% of surface area of the wall;
  • restricting the ability for non-conforming uses and structures to expand within the buffers to the greatest extent possible within the limitations of the Charter; and
  • allowing for development near the HGE to proceed via development agreement, subject to the required land use buffers and design requirements.

See the proposed amendments here and here.

You can submit your comments and feedback via email to growthplanning@halifax.ca.

How can I participate in the planning process?

The public is invited to participate in the planning process by:

• getting up-to-date information from this webpage;

• reviewing draft planning documents posted to this webpage; and

• submitting your comments via email to growthplanning@halifax.ca.

Additionally, residents and property owners on affected properties will be contacted by the municipality directly.

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: March 11, 2025

Project Status

The public feedback period has ended. The Municipality thanks everyone who participated. Residents seeking information may continue to submit questions via growthplanning@halifax.ca.

Should Regional Council choose to move forward with a public hearing, notice of the hearing will be posted to this webpage.

Project Outline

On Nov. 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 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.

What are the proposed amendments to planning documents?

The proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-law include the following:

  • establishing buffers from the HGE and changing permitted land uses within the buffers to align with established risk acceptance standards;
  • creating risk-mitigation built-form requirements for buildings in the buffers, such as orienting pedestrian entrances away from the HGE, and limiting doors and windows facing the HGE to a maximum of 15% of surface area of the wall;
  • restricting the ability for non-conforming uses and structures to expand within the buffers to the greatest extent possible within the limitations of the Charter; and
  • allowing for development near the HGE to proceed via development agreement, subject to the required land use buffers and design requirements.

See the proposed amendments here and here.

You can submit your comments and feedback via email to growthplanning@halifax.ca.

How can I participate in the planning process?

The public is invited to participate in the planning process by:

• getting up-to-date information from this webpage;

• reviewing draft planning documents posted to this webpage; and

• submitting your comments via email to growthplanning@halifax.ca.

Additionally, residents and property owners on affected properties will be contacted by the municipality directly.