PLANAPP 2024-00769 - Southdale-Mount Hope Special Planning

Request

Amendments to the existing Development Agreement for the Southdale-Mount Hope Special Planning Area in Response to Regional Centre and Regional Subdivision By-law Amendments related to the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). 

Proposal

No changes to the development approved in 2022 are being requested at this time. The applicant requests amendments to the existing development agreement that would remove the Lands from the new HAF requirements and allow the existing development plan to remain unchanged. Construction is already underway on the Lands and meeting the new HAF requirements would require a substantial redesign, which the applicant is concerned will have a negative impact on the development’s viability.

The planning rationale letter provided below outlines the development proposal in more detail and includes information related to why these amendments may be warranted. 

Process

In accordance with the Housing for the Halifax Regional Municipality Act and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the Province of Nova Scotia, Penhorn has been designated as a Special Planning Area. In accordance with this new Provincial Act, planning decisions for the area inclusive of changes to policy, zones, or the application of Development Agreements to these lands will no longer be considered via the Public Hearing process and a Council decision. Instead, applications will be seen by the newly established Executive Panel on Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality and decided upon by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Once made, this decision will then be posted to this website.

Status

In accordance with the Housing for the Halifax Regional Municipality Act and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the Province of Nova Scotia, Penhorn has been designated as a Special Planning Area. In accordance with this new Provincial Act, planning decisions for the area inclusive of changes to policy, zones, or the application of Development Agreements to these lands will no longer be considered via the Public Hearing process and a Council decision. Instead, applications will be seen by the newly established Executive Panel on Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality and decided upon by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Once made, this decision will then be posted to this website.
 

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by HRM staff to properly evaluate the application. The documents are also available for review at the Planning Applications office in Downtown Halifax. 

Planning Rationale Letter