Updated:
Request
An application has been submitted for a development agreement to enable a comprehensive, mixed-use, master planned community on lands off Main Street and Golf View Drive in in Dartmouth. The proposal is at an early stage and is being reviewed under recently adopted planning policies that guide development in this area.
Proposal
This application proposes a master plan development that seeks to repurpose a driving range and surrounding lands into a compact, mixed-use community. The applicant is seeking to establish a new neighbourhood including residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, with supporting infrastructure such as new roads, trails, parks, and stormwater systems. A key feature of the proposal is a new public street accessed from the existing signalized intersection at Main Street and Ridgecrest Drive. The development includes buildings ranging from 3 to 8 storeys in height.
Key elements of the proposal include:
- A new public street extending north from Main Street to provide internal circulation.
- Residential development with a mix of stacked townhouses and multi-unit buildings (up to 8 storeys), offering a variety of unit sizes.
- A dedicated commercial area near Main Street and Golf View Drive, supporting walkable access to shops and services such as cafés, healthcare, and offices.
- A central park and open space, including conservation lands along the Cranberry Lake-Loon Lake watercourse corridor.
- An active transportation network with sidewalks on all streets, a 3.2-metre wide multi-use trail, on-street bike infrastructure, and enhanced transit stops.
Process
The application is being reviewed through the Development Agreement process, which is a formal planning mechanism used in HRM to enable developments that may not conform to existing zoning, provided they align with Dartmouth Municipal Planning Strategy policies and are publicly reviewed.
The Lake Loon site is subject to new planning policies—H-3BA and H-3BB—adopted through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). These policies are designed to support municipal housing objectives through the creation of mixed-use, higher-density communities close to existing roads, services, and infrastructure. Under these policies, Council can consider a broad range of building types and land uses through a development agreement process. However, any proposal must first demonstrate how it addresses environmental concerns, traffic impacts, and service capacity.
As the subject lands fall entirely within the Lake Lemont and Collin’s Park-Bomont drinking water supply area, the policies intend to support complete and compact communities while protecting sensitive natural features. This includes setting buildings back from wetlands and watercourses, limiting development in certain areas, and providing direction on building design, density, and green space. To inform the planning process, applicants are required to submit several technical studies, including a Land Suitability Analysis, a Traffic Impact Statement, and input from Halifax Water regarding water supply protection and enhanced stormwater systems. These studies help determine how the site should be developed, where natural areas should be preserved, and what infrastructure or public improvements may be needed.
If Community Council approves the application, a development agreement would be signed. This legal document sets out all conditions under which the development can move forward.
Status
This application is in the early review stage and the current submission represents the developer’s interpretation of the enabling policies. Staff from various municipal departments—including Development Engineering, Traffic Services, Halifax Water, Fire Services, Environment and Climate Change, Planning, and Nova Scotia Department of Public Works—are conducting their first technical evaluation of the submission.
Revisions to the proposal are expected as staff complete their initial review and provide feedback to the applicant. The project will also involve public consultation prior to any decision by Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council.
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.
- Archeological Resources Impact Assessment (please contact NS Dept. of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage for a redacted copy of the ARIA)
- Master Plan Package, Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF)
- Master Plan Package, Chapter 2: Land Suitability Analysis (PDF)
- Master Plan Package, Chapter 3: Master Plan (including developer’s rationale) (PDF)
- Traffic Impact Statement (PDF)
- Preliminary Servicing and Stormwater Concepts (PDF)
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Mailing Address
PO Box: 1749,
Halifax,
Nova Scotia,
B3J 3A5
Attention: Dean MacDougall