Case 24021: Cogswell District Land Use Policies

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Last Updated: July 22, 2024

Project Status

The Municipality thanks everyone who participated in public engagement events. This webpage will continue to provide project updates.

The Cogswell District Design PlanThe Cogswell District Design Plan

Project outline


The Cogswell District is a transformational, municipal-led city-building initiative, which will convert the underutilized Cogswell Interchange into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood that will reconnect downtown Halifax to the north end. There are two main steps to the project:

1) the design and construction of streets, utilities and parks, and;

2) land use planning and building design rules.

On February 26, 2019, Regional Council approved a construction design plan for the streets, utilities and parks. Construction of the Cogswell District is currently underway and is approximately half complete. If you want to learn more about the street, utility and park designs please visit the Cogswell District webpage here.

The purpose of this process is to create building design rules and determine permitted land uses for the District.

The Cogswell District is a unique opportunity to imagine a new neighborhood in the heart of Halifax. The design of buildings can reflect elements from history or be forward-looking and modern – each block within the district can have unique features and design elements to create a unique character. The types of businesses, residential buildings and other uses will also be considered.

Additionally, Regional Council directed staff to create a strategy to support long-term affordable housing in the district. A review of planning policies and regulations on surrounding lands in the north end and downtown Halifax, is also a part of the project. This is intended to ensure that new development in the Cogswell District and existing neighbourhoods complement one another.

What is the proposed planning process?

The planning process involves amending the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (RCSMPS, AKA “Centre Plan”) and Regional Centre Land Use By-law (RCLUB), and creating an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District.

Specifically, this includes consulting the public and rightsholders, creating new planning policies and regulations, engaging other orders of government for advice and potential resources for affordable housing, and seeking public feedback on the draft amendments to planning documents.

How can I participate in the planning process?

Formal public engagement events took place in May and June, 2024, and are now complete. The public and stakeholders may still participate in the planning process in the following ways:

  • send an email to the planner for this file; and
  • review draft planning documents when they are posted to this webpage

Last Updated: July 22, 2024

Project Status

The Municipality thanks everyone who participated in public engagement events. This webpage will continue to provide project updates.

The Cogswell District Design PlanThe Cogswell District Design Plan

Project outline


The Cogswell District is a transformational, municipal-led city-building initiative, which will convert the underutilized Cogswell Interchange into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood that will reconnect downtown Halifax to the north end. There are two main steps to the project:

1) the design and construction of streets, utilities and parks, and;

2) land use planning and building design rules.

On February 26, 2019, Regional Council approved a construction design plan for the streets, utilities and parks. Construction of the Cogswell District is currently underway and is approximately half complete. If you want to learn more about the street, utility and park designs please visit the Cogswell District webpage here.

The purpose of this process is to create building design rules and determine permitted land uses for the District.

The Cogswell District is a unique opportunity to imagine a new neighborhood in the heart of Halifax. The design of buildings can reflect elements from history or be forward-looking and modern – each block within the district can have unique features and design elements to create a unique character. The types of businesses, residential buildings and other uses will also be considered.

Additionally, Regional Council directed staff to create a strategy to support long-term affordable housing in the district. A review of planning policies and regulations on surrounding lands in the north end and downtown Halifax, is also a part of the project. This is intended to ensure that new development in the Cogswell District and existing neighbourhoods complement one another.

What is the proposed planning process?

The planning process involves amending the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (RCSMPS, AKA “Centre Plan”) and Regional Centre Land Use By-law (RCLUB), and creating an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District.

Specifically, this includes consulting the public and rightsholders, creating new planning policies and regulations, engaging other orders of government for advice and potential resources for affordable housing, and seeking public feedback on the draft amendments to planning documents.

How can I participate in the planning process?

Formal public engagement events took place in May and June, 2024, and are now complete. The public and stakeholders may still participate in the planning process in the following ways:

  • send an email to the planner for this file; and
  • review draft planning documents when they are posted to this webpage