Regional Plan Review
The Halifax Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (the Regional Plan) sets out a common vision, principles and long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031.
The second five-year review is underway and work will continue into 2023.
This website is the place where you can access content, materials and supporting research for the Halifax Regional Municipal Planning Strategy Plan Review. You can also find out about the project process, including public engagement activities. We welcome your input and participation in the process.
UPDATE
November 16, 2022
TAKE NOTICE THAT Regional Council did, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 approve the following:
Case 22257 – Regional Plan Review – Amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, Regional Subdivision By-law and Community Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws to include amendments related to Phase 3 of the Regional Plan Review.
The planning documents have been reviewed and approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing as per the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.
This notice was posted to this site on November 16th, 2022 in accordance with the requirements of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.
A synopsis of Phase 3 is described below.
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Phase 3: Quick Adjustments – Synopsis of Amendments:
For Phase 3, staff focused on amendments that could be done quickly because they are aligned with existing Council policy and priorities. The detailed amendments can be found within Attachments A, B, C, and D of the staff report.
The amendments included:
- Policy requiring Council to consider the policies and objectives of the priority plans (the Integrated Mobility Plan, Halifax Green Network Plan, HalifACT) as part of discretionary planning applications
- Policy requiring Council to consider environmental and cultural values, relationship to wilderness areas, mobility planning, and climate action as part of secondary planning;
- Policy and regulations to support housing diversity, that remove regulatory barriers in land use by-laws for tiny homes and converted shipping container dwellings.
- For tiny homes, this involves removing minimum dwelling size requirements and amending the definition of single unit dwelling to include mobile homes.
- For shipping container dwellings, the proposed amendments adjust the broad prohibition on shipping containers to allow shipping containers to be used as dwelling units or backyard suites.
- Policy to allow the adaptive reuse of municipally registered heritage properties by development agreement
- Policy to support ongoing work on community action plans for historical African Nova Scotian communities. This is a specific goal of the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity and Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy.
- Revised Conservation Design Development policy to improve its interpretation and implementation.
- Minor housekeeping amendments, including:
- Correction to the watercourse setbacks for Cow Bay Lake, and accessory buildings in Eastern Passage/ Cow Bay
- Corrections to the Service Requirements Map to ensure that lands that are currently serviced with water and/or wastewater are accurately represented
- Minor text amendments and several policy reference corrections
- Amendments to support site specific requests for development, including:
- First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville (C060)
- Atholea Drive, Cole Harbour (C009, C047, C077, and C326)
- Lake Loon Golf Centre Lands (C003)
- Lands on the east side of Morris Lake, Cole Harbour (C070-E)
- Birch Hill Mobile Home Park, Eastern Passage (C079)
- Bedford Commons, Bedford (C001)
- Exhibition Park, Halifax (C086)
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NEXT STEPS
New and updated policy is being considered through the remaining two phases, Phase 4: Draft Regional Plan, and Phase 5: Future Growth Planning as described below.
Comments on Phase 4, Phase 5, and New Request Site Specific Requests will continue to be accepted on an ongoing basis. To provide feedback, please email regionalplan@halifax.ca and reference the case number for Phase 4, Phase 5, and New Requests.
To find out where development requests are being considered, click the map below. Detailed information on the site specific requests can be found in the Updates Tab or the Site Specific Requests Sidebar for Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 5, and New Requests.
Phase 4: Draft Regional Plan (Anticipated March 2023)
This phase will complete the new policy framework for the Regional Plan. Work completed through this phase will include:
- Completing Analysis as identified in the Work Plan
- Advancing work on additional site-specific requests (see Phase 4 Site Specific Requests table)
- Public engagement following release of the draft plan
Phase 5: Future Growth Planning (2023/24)
This phase will create a work plan and begin analysis of additional lands to be considered for expansion in anticipation of continued growth. Work completed through this phase will include:
- Advancing work on assessing remaining urban reserves
- Hosting Regional workshops and engagement to identify growth nodes
- Identifying new areas for expansion and growth
- Advancing work on additional site-specific requests (see Phase 5 Site Specific Requests table)
- Additional public engagement
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Themes and Directions
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThemes and Directions
The Themes introduce the main overall topic areas. There are 11 themes in total. In the table, each theme is briefly described and explained. If you would like to read the entire theme, there is a link to read the theme in more detail. You may also dive deeper into issue papers that relate to the theme or read further into the background materials that helped to develop the theme.
Theme Description and Supporting Documents 
A quick snapshot of the Regional Plan ideas can be found here:
The Background to the Themes and Direction Document can be found here:
A link to the full Themes and Direction Document can be found here:
Theme 1: Considering the Regional Scale First
The Regional Plan sets out a common vision and long-range, region-wide planning Policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031. The Municipality’s physical geographic constraints, existing and planned water and wastewater infrastructure, transit boundary, as well as the location of employment and community facilities significantly impacts where and how the region grows’. A full description of Theme Area 1 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 2: Building Healthier and More Complete Communities
The Regional Plan provides guidance for the development of communities across the municipality to build healthier, more complete communities by setting policy direction at a regional scale to strengthen our citizens’ quality of life by maximizing our municipal services and amenities. A full description of Theme Area 2 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Papers
Additional Materials
Theme 3: Reconsidering Employment and Industrial Lands
The Halifax Regional Municipality is the economic hub of Atlantic Canada. The Regional Plan highlights important components of regional economic development, including protection for industrial lands, business parks, the Halifax Harbour and other coastal areas, as well as support for the rural economy. A full description of Theme Area 3 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 4: Transforming How We Move in our Region
The Regional Plan supports safe, sustainable and accessible travel options to move conveniently throughout the region. A regional transportation system links people and communities with each other and with goods, services and opportunities in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable way. The Municipality recognizes that transportation and land use planning are inseparable and the decision-making process for both must be integrated. A full description of Theme Area 4 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 5: Social Planning for Community Well-Being
Since the last Regional Plan review Regional Council has played an increasing role in socially minded policies and directives including:
- Endorsing: the Housing Needs Assessment, Halifax Food Action Plan, Anti-Poverty Solutions Strategy
- Creating: the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Increasing presence of the African Nova Scotia Integrated Affairs Office
- Partnering: with Mobile Food Market, Halifax Food Policy Alliance, Housing and Homelessness Partnership
- Collaborating: with not-for-profits and the Province
A full description of Theme Area 5 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Paper:
Additional Materials
- Accessibility Strategy
- Report of the Task Force on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and the Recognition and Commemoration of Indigenous History
- African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity
- Diversity and Inclusion Framework
- Housing and Homelessness Partnership
- Homeless Partnering Strategy
- Accessibility Directorate
Theme 6: Celebrating Culture & Heritage
HRM is home to diverse cultures and histories that are expressed in many ways. Tangible assets, such as heritage buildings and sites, speak to the evolution of the community over time, while intangible assets, such as events, provide an opportunity to preserve and foster living traditions. Sharing Our Stories will provide a regional approach to the preservation of these heritage and cultural resources, which will be reflected in the Regional Plan review. A full description of Theme Area 6 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 7: Integrating Community Facilities and Parks
Parks and community facilities are an essential component of complete communities that support healthy lifestyles for all residents. Currently, in HRM there are more than 900 municipal parks, including playgrounds, sport courts, playing fields and other specialized amenities, as well as over 65 indoor community facilities, ranging from small community centres to large complexes with pools, arena and gymnasiums. Facilities provided by other organizations, such as schools and emergency facilities, also play an important role in the livability of our communities and should be considered when planning for development.
A full description of Theme Area 7 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials:
Theme 8: Enhancing Environmental Protection
Open spaces and waterbodies are vital to maintaining a healthy, sustainable and desirable region. They provide important habitats and ecosystems, support economic activity, shape communities, provide opportunities for recreation, and reflect local culture and history. Momentum is building for work taking place in approved priority plans:
- Halifax Green Network Plan: identifies ways the Municipality can better identify and protect landscapes
- HalifACT: supports the preservation of open spaces and waterbodies as part of efforts to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to climate change.
A full description of Theme Area 8 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Issue Paper:
Theme 9: Leading Through Action on Climate
Climate change is real, urgent, complex, and a global crisis. With the changing climate, we face hazards to health, economic growth, safety and the natural world. In HRM, Regional Council has declared a climate emergency and, guided by HalifACT the Municipality is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support communities’ resiliency to the effects of climate change. A full description of Theme Area 9 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Theme 10: Imagining HRM into 2050 and Beyond
As 2020 has taught us, society can change dramatically over a short time. However, with long-range planning, the municipality can be better prepared to handle an uncertain future, and to some extent, even direct what the future can look like based on a shared vision. Now that this plan is nearing the end of its lifespan (2031), it is time to begin thinking about what we want HRM to look like further into the future. A full description of Theme Area 10 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Theme 11: Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that has significant implications for the social and economic well-being of our region. HRM is facing great uncertainty, and the Regional Plan can help to guide the Municipality’s recovery and response. A full description of Theme Area 11 and the suggested policy actions can be found here:
Additional Materials
Phase 3: Quick Adjustments
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Phase 3 Report and Attachments
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Phase 3 Staff Report (3.25 MB) (pdf)
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Revised Attachment A (Amendments to Regional Municipal Planning Strategy) (1.28 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment B (Amendments to Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies) (1.05 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment C (Amendments to Land Use Bylaws) (1.34 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment D (Amendments to the Subdivision Bylaw) (5.19 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment E Regional Plan Review Work Plan (Updated June 2022) (5.96 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment F (Phase 3 Site Specific Amendment Requests) (3.66 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment G (Phase 4 & 5 Site Specific Requests) (880 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment H (Site Specific Requests Map) (318 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment I (Public Correspondence Log) (5.66 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment J (Public Attachments) (11.8 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment K (New Site Specific Requests).pdf (15.4 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment L (Population Scenario Evaluation) (3.64 MB) (pdf)
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Themes and Directions
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What We Heard Report (Dec, 2021)
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Full What We Heard Report (Dec 14, 2021) (68.3 MB) (pdf)
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Themes & Directions What We Heard Staff Report (288 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment A - Revised Engagement Plan (206 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment B - Regional Plan Remaining Work Plan (210 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment C - Site Specific Requests Table (3.92 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment C - Site Specific Detailed Requests (50.2 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment D - Population Projections Supplementary Report (Dec 2021) (376 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard Report (179 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix A - Q & A Transcripts)pdf (1.96 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix B - Survey Summary Report) (721 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix C - Comment Forum) (37.4 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix D - Correspondence Log) (421 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix E - Correspondence Attachments) (10.6 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment E What We Heard (Appendix F - Key Themes Table) (247 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment F - Engagement Plan Amendments (204 KB) (pdf)
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Themes and Directions Report (May, 2021)
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Themes and Directions (Full Version) (67.2 MB) (pdf)
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Key Ideas (662 KB) (pdf)
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Background (70.7 KB) (pdf)
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Theme 1 Regional Scale (14 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 2 Complete Communities (12 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 3 Employment Industrial (7.66 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 4 Mobility (3.57 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 5 Social Planning (642 KB) (pdf)
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Theme 6 Culture Heritage (3.14 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 7 Facilities & Parks (15.6 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 8 Environment (5.37 MB) (pdf)
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Theme 9 Climate (109 KB) (pdf)
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Theme 10 Long Term Planning (38.6 KB) (pdf)
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Theme 11 COVID (38.1 KB) (pdf)
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Glossary (60.8 KB) (pdf)
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Issue Papers
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Rural Community Planning (6.18 MB) (pdf)
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Suburban Community Planning (8.5 MB) (pdf)
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Density Bonusing (317 KB) (pdf)
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Planning Tools for Protecting and Conserving Land (2.42 MB) (pdf)
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Preliminary Housing and Population Projections Supplementary Report (Dec 2021) (376 KB) (pdf)
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Preliminary Population & Housing Analysis (June 2021) (12.5 MB) (pdf)
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Affordable Housing (2.1 MB) (pdf)
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Q & A Documents
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Online Public Meeting Instructions (301 KB) (pdf)
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Social Policy Presentation and Transcript June 11 (2.81 MB) (pdf)
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Housing Presentation and Transcript June14 (3.4 MB) (pdf)
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Climate Presentation and Transcript June15 (3.49 MB) (pdf)
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Environment Presentation and Transcript June15 (2.52 MB) (pdf)
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Mobility Presentation and Transcript June 16 (2.68 MB) (pdf)
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Long Range Planning Presentation Transcript June 16 (4.68 MB) (pdf)
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Q & A Webinars
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Background Documents
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Halifax 2020 Industrial Employment Lands Strategy - Full Report (3.84 MB) (pdf)
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Quantifying the Costs and Benefits of Alternative Growth Scenarios
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Rapid Transit Strategy
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Active Transportation Priorities Plan
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HalifACT
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Halifax Green Network Plan
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Urban Forest Master Plan
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Accessibility Strategy (5.08 MB) (pdf)
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African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Action Plan
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Cultural Landscape Framework Study
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Western Common Wilderness Common Master Plan
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2018 Affordable Housing Work Plan
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Halifax's 2016-21 Economic Strategy
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