PLANAPP 2024-00911 - 5933 Prospect Road, Big Lake

Request

Application by Charles Freeman Architect to enter into a development agreement that allows for a commercial recreation use (stargazing facility) at 5933 Prospect Road, Big Lake.

Proposal

Application by Charles Freeman Architect, on behalf of the property owner, requesting to enter into a development agreement for a commercial recreation use (stargazing facility ).
The proposal will include:

• reuse of existing access plus one new access point to site from Prospect Road;
• café (and associated parking);
• observatory (Abbey Ridge Observatory) and associated parking;
• lodge (Stargazer’s Lodge) and associated parking;
• small bunkhouse observatories;
• owner’s or caretaker's residence
• rental cabins (or two RV spaces to replace one cabin);
• walking trails, decks;
• walk-in tenting sites; and
• analog research station.

The park will sit on 26 acres of coastal barrens on the west side of Prospect Road with Big Lake at the northern most part of the lands, the road defining the eastern extent and a large wetland crossing the southern end of the property. Watercourses and contiguous wetlands will be protected by a 30 metre wide buffer as visible in the revised site plan. 

Process

The application will be considered under the Development Agreement process.

Status

The application is presently in the development agreement negotiation and writing stage and preliminary staff recommendation report writing stage of the application process. The proposed development agreement will be distributed to interested reviewers from HRM staff and any external agencies for comments or concerns relevant to their group.

Once the agreement satisfies these comments it will be forwarded to the applicant for their review and any comments they may have. When returned to staff the proposed development agreement will be finalized and the staff report to Council will be fully prepared and completed. These documents will be circulated for managerial review and upon reaching the Executive Director will be assigned a tentative agenda at North West Community Council for, firstly, Notice of Motion and subsequently a public hearing. Council will make a decision to approve or deny the application following the hearing. Residents notified of the development application through the previous mailout will be notified of the public hearing day, time and location. It will also appear on this website and at halifax.ca

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by HRM staff to properly evaluate the application. Please note revised Planning Rationale and Site Plan have been added to the list below. The documents are also available for review at the Planning Applications office at 5251 Duke Street, Halifax, Suite 300. 

•    Planning rationale
•    Revised Planning Rationale March 20, 2025
•    Revised Planning Rationale October 30, 2024
•    Site plan
•    Revised Site Plan March 20, 2025
•    Revised Site Plan October 30, 2024
•    Preliminary Stormwater Management Plan
•    Traffic Impact Statement
•    Wetland Delineation