Residents rallied in November to protect West Prince Street or The Island. The neighbourhood is a historic Black community in Truro. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentTRURO – New protections are in place for West Prince Street, also known as The Island, an historic African Nova Scotian community in Truro.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentTown council voted July 7 to rezone lands surrounding the community and create the West Prince Area Advisory Committee (WPAAC) to review planning applications that affect the neighbourhood.Article contentArticle contentA development proposal for 60 Juniper St., a five-storey, 52-unit residential building, led staff to make changes to their planning documents, said planner Carla Connolly.Article contentArticle content“The proposal, which abuts The Island, clearly demonstrated that the town’s current policies and regulations are insufficient to provide adequate protections for the neighbourhood,” she said.Article content“This proposal also demonstrated that the town’s planning policies, regulations, and procedures are not properly aligned with the town’s community goals related to inclusion and engagement.”Article content A map provided in a Town of Truro staff report that outlines what land is included in the definition of the West Prince Area. Photo by Town of Truro /Truro NewsArticle contentThese changes will be updated in the town’s municipal planning strategy and land use bylaw. The defined West Prince Area extends to Clyke Street, and includes the south part of Juniper Street.Article contentHistorically, explained Connolly, the neighbourhood would have extended to Clyke Street, which is the town’s reason for including it in the defined space.Article contentLands bordering the entrance of the West Prince Street neighborhood have been rezoned from regional service to urban corridor.Article contentArticle contentThe urban corridor zoning includes just the properties that are vacant, said Connolly, and immediately above the general residential zoned properties in The Island neighbourhood.Article content This zoning map, provided in a Town of Truro staff report, reflects the rezoning changes approved for the West Prince Area. Lands at the entrance of the West Prince Street neighborhood are now urban corridor. Photo by Town of Truro /Truro NewsArticle contentDevelopments allowed in the West Prince area’s regional service zone are also now limited to a height of 43.3 feet. The Argus Drive baseball field will also be rezoned from regional service to the parks and open space zone.Article contentNEIGHBOURHOOD COMMITTEEArticle contentIn addition to the rezoning, the new WPAAC will advise the town’s planning advisory committee (PAC) on land use planning and development matters that may impact the defined West Prince Area.Article contentThe WPAAC is not a decision-making committee, but it can make recommendations to the PAC.Article contentThree to six residents or property owners of the West Prince Area can sit on the committee.Article content“This has been discussed widely with the community. There’s a lot of community support,” Ward 1 Coun. Wayne Talbot said of the rezoning and committee’s creation.Article content“It’s absolutely the way to go.”Article content
New protections approved for Truro’s historically Black community
