Halifax passes new regional plan to guide growth through 2050

Halifax City Hall on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Ryan Taplin /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle contentHalifax council has passed the regional plan to prepare for a population that could reach one million by 2050.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email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe 13-4 vote Thursday night repealed the 2014 regional municipal plan for the updated regional municipal planning strategy.Article contentArticle contentA staff report says that the 1,900-page 2025 regional plan represents a new planning framework to guide growth and development in the municipality through a set of policies and regulations that will support the goals of building healthy, complete communities and a sustainable future.Article contentArticle contentThe long Thursday session featured a public hearing, with dozens of speakers who offered commentary on provincial government overreach in municipal affairs, special planning areas, short-term rentals and solar opportunities.Article content The Halifax skyline on Tuesday. Halifax regional council passed the regional plan, which represents a new planning framework to guide growth and development in the municipality through a set of policies and regulations. Photo by Tim Krochak /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle contentProvincial government overreach was at the top of many councillors’ minds.Article contentCoun. Shawn Cleary (Halifax West Armdale) supported the new plan but questioned the province’s involvement in municipal work.Article content“The regional plan is about high-level policy and what it was and where we are now. I love these changes,” said Cleary.Article content“These are good changes for us. Do I like the province’s special planning areas? Not all of them. Do I like the minimum planning requirements that they have mandated? No, but they are mandated.”Article contentCleary was encouraged by the response at the hearing.Article content“I want to thank the public that showed up to give us their feedback,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that a great deal of the feedback is stuff we can’t change.Article contentArticle content“I hope that filters back to Province House so that they know what our residents feel about what is happening here.”Article contentArticle contentSeveral people spoke against the province’s special planning areas, which include Sandy Lake and Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes, as well as the Backlands along Purcells Cove.Article contentJillian Ramsay, sustainable cities co-ordinator for the Ecology Action Centre, said the plan leaves too much interpretation for developers near Sandy Lake and the Highway 102 corridor (Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes).Article content A portion of the special planning area around Sandy Lake in West Bedford. At left is Hammonds Plains Road. Sandy Lake and the Highway 102 corridor (Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes) was an area of concern as HRM council passed the regional plan review on Thursday. Photo by Tim Krochak /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle content“We recognize the attempt to include a 30-metre buffer protection for wetlands, water courses and coasts but, let’s be honest, an amendment clarifying what is required in a development agreement to bypass a 30-metre buffer is not the same as protecting them,” said Ramsay.Article content“It’s creating cheat codes for developers. Undefined language, like relax and reasonable use, only makes it worse. If you can’t meet the 30-metre buffer, you shouldn’t be permitted to develop there. Why are we building a plan around developer concessions instead of environmental standards?”