Rural Area Plan Amendment - Recommended Approach | Confirmed by Regional Council on December 12, 2023.

These are requests for supportive Regional Plan policy to enable an alternative form of development or increased density for lands currently within the Rural Commuter designation.

To provide feedback on Site Specific Requests, please email regionalplan@halifax.ca and reference the case number.

Request #	Location	Request Summary	Existing Planning Policy	Regional Plan Considerations	Summary of Public Comment	Approach
C541	Canal Cays, Wellington (PIDs 00470674, 40698516, 40634750, 40621914, 40621922, 40695603, 40621930, 40551178, 40551186)	On September 13, 2022, Regional Council passed the following motion: That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report directing the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to consider opportunities for development of properties on Canal Cays, Wellington. This review should consider, at minimum: options for public road access; the relationship to the Kinloch subdivision and the Aerotech Connector Road; and environmental protection measures.	• Under the Regional Plan, the lands are designated Rural Commuter, where a rural pattern of development is envisioned. • The lands are within the River-Lakes Secondary Plan Area (Planning Districts 14&17 MPS); however detailed secondary planning for areas outside the Fall River village area was anticipated to be completed through a “Phase 2” that has not yet begun.	• Any adjustment to the rural growth control mechanisms must be considered carefully, in relation to the Regional Plan’s strategic growth objectives. • Future development should support the Halifax Green Network Plan’s objectives to adequately protect sensitive environmental areas, consider water quality and availability, and follow policy guidance found in the Integrated Mobility Plan, HalifACT2050, and Sharing Our Stories.	No public comments were received on this proposal.	Under review.
C960	566 Highway 277, Dutch Settlement (PID 41053117)	Enable rural subdivision for an additional lot.	• Under the Regional Plan, the lands are designated Rural Commuter, where a rural pattern of development is envisioned. • The parcel does not meet requirements of the Regional Subdivision By-law to create a parcel without frontage, and there is not a path under the existing policy to change these requirements.	• Any adjustment to the rural growth control mechanisms must be considered carefully, in relation to the Regional Plan’s strategic growth objectives. • Future development should support the Halifax Green Network Plan’s objectives to adequately protect sensitive environmental areas, consider water quality and availability, and follow policy guidance found in the Integrated Mobility Plan, HalifACT2050, and Sharing Our Stories.	No public comments have been received on this proposal.	Staff will undertake a review of rural subdivision permissions and a review of the Regional Subdivision By-Law.
C988	Beechcrest Drive and Stone Hedges Lane, Waverley (PID 00519728)	Request from Stonehedge Development Inc to review Conservation Design Development Policies to enable 100+ duplexes for an age 55+ community.	• Under the Regional Plan, the lands are within the Rural Commuter designation which envisions a rural pattern of development. The lands are located inside the Water Service Area. • Under the Regional Plan, this property is located outside of a growth centre and is eligible for the Conservation Design Development types Low-Density Classic or Hybrid. These development types would not permit the level of density requested by the applicant. • Per the Minimum Planning Requirements, for developments that have a construction permit issued and begin construction on or before April 1, 2027, Conservation Design developable area may be calculated as Net Developable Area or Gross Developable Area. This change may increase the density at the site but would not result in the number of units requested by the applicant.	• Consider this request in relation to the Regional Plan’s strategic growth objectives. • Future development should consider the objectives of the Integrated Mobility Plan to support transit-oriented development, support the Halifax Green Network Plan’s objectives to adequately protect wilderness area and connections, and follow policy guidance found in HalifACT2050, Sharing Our Stories and Halifax Water’s Infrastructure Master Plan.	No public comments have been received on this proposal.	Under review.
C989	17 Dorothy Drive, Head of Chezzetcook (PID 41094657)	Request to review Rural Subdivision Requirements along private roads/lane ways to enable more than a maximum of 10 lots.	• Under the Regional Plan, the lands are designated Rural Commuter, where a rural pattern of development is envisioned. • The parcel does not meet the Regional Subdivision By-law requirements to create more than 10+ lots as it has frontage onto a Private Road, which caps the number of lots permitted via Subdivision.	• Any adjustment to the rural growth control mechanisms must be considered carefully, in relation to the Regional Plan’s strategic growth objectives. • Future development should support the Halifax Green Network Plan’s objectives to adequately protect sensitive environmental areas, consider water quality and availability, and follow policy guidance found in the Integrated Mobility Plan, HalifACT2050, and Sharing Our Stories.	No public comments have been received on this proposal.	Staff will undertake a review of rural subdivision permissions and a review of the Regional Subdivision By-Law.