Devon Parsons, a member of the Lucasville Vision Committee, who is opposed to a potential 311-unit development in Lucasville, is seen backdropped by the property in question on Cranley Road Wednesday August 5, 2026. Photo by Tim KrochakArticle contentA proposed 311-unit development in Lucasville has locals asking for a pause on the project — and others like it — while the community finalizes its planning review with the African Nova Scotian Community Action Program (ANSCAP). 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 contentDevon Parsons, a member of the Lucasville Vision Committee, a group dedicated to guiding the future of Lucasville, a historical African Nova Scotian community, said the proposed development goes beyond what Lucasville can support in terms of infrastructure. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentHe said the community is marked for low to medium density as part of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s regional plan, adding that the proposed project, which has only received its development permit so far, is a step too far. Article content“My request is (for HRM) to stop issuing permits that are above and beyond what Lucasville can support and beyond what is slotted by the regional municipal planning strategy,” Parsons told The Chronicle Herald. Article content“It doesn’t align with HRM’s own guidelines. The people who are permitting aren’t looking at the regional plan, they’re just looking at the bylaws.” Article contentSo, what’s being proposed? Article contentMake no mistake: the proposed development in Lucasville is in its infancy. Article contentThe property, which was recently purchased by a numbered company, 4840845 Nova Scotia Limited, is located just off Lucasville Road, the 7.2-kilometre artery connecting Sackville Drive and Hammonds Plains Road. But it’s also the heart of a traditional African Nova Scotian community that’s sorely lacking in infrastructure, ranging from bus stops to sidewalks. Article contentArticle contentSarah Brannen, a spokesperson for HRM, said the development permit was approved as part of changes to the regional plan going back to 2022. Article content“Council approved region-wide changes to the regional plan to support shared housing and shared housing with special care, which enabled this development through a land use bylaw,” she said in an email. Article content“The intent was to enable a wide range of housing opportunities across communities. This aligns with the regional plan objective of supporting housing that meets diverse social and economic needs while promoting inclusive communities and aging in place.” Article contentBrannen also noted HRM has only approved a development permit; there’s been no application for building permits yet. Article contentMohammad Ranjbarzadeh, who is listed as the numbered company’s director on the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies, didn’t reply to requests for comment. Article content HRM recently approved the development permit for a 311-unit development but Devon Parsons says it goes against HRM’s own regional plan, especially while the area undergoes planning through the African Nova Scotian Community Action Program. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content‘It’s a community safety issue’ Article contentCoun. John Young (Hammonds Plains – Upper Hammonds Plains – Lucasville – Middle and Upper Sackville) also has misgivings about the proposed development, citing concerns about egress along Lucasville Road.
Lucasville locals ask for pause on 311-unit development while waiting for planning review
