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 2022.
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.
The Regional Plan Review’s latest deliverable, the What We Heard Report, has been released and was discussed at Regional Council’s Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2022. This report provides a summary of the feedback received on the Themes & Directions Report and outlines the proposed next steps for the project. Please note, this is a large file and may take time to download.
NEXT STEPS
New and updated policy is being considered through three phases - Phase 3: Quick Adjustments, Phase 4: Draft Regional Plan, and Phase 5: Future Growth Planning as described below.
The deadline to submit comments for Phase 3 Site Specific Requests is now closed.
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 are described below and can be found in the Updates Tab for Phase 3, Phase 4, and Phase 5, and New Requests.
Phase 3: Quick Adjustments (Anticipated May 2022)
This phase will consider amendments to the Regional Plan that align with Regional Council’s goals, as a rapid response to current housing conditions. This phase will include:
- Finalizing population and housing analysis using Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census Data Release
- Advancing work on site specific requests that align with policy direction and are relatively straightforward to initiate (see Phase 3 Site Specific Requests table)
- Simple text amendments that help support priorities plans (such as the Integrated Mobility Plan, Halifax Green Network Plan and HalifACT
- Identifying any quick adjustments that can be undertaken to Suburban or Rural Plans that would provide greater clarity in decision making and result in improved conditions for housing development
- Undertaking an employment study and update the Regional Transportation Model with new data
- Modelling preferred growth scenario(s)
Phase 4: Draft Regional Plan (Anticipated December 2022)
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
New Requests
Site Specific requests were received after the What We Heard Report was written. These requests have not yet been analyzed for a recommended approach but comments on the proposals can be submitted for review (see the New Requests table).
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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
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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Site-Specific Requests
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Phase 3 Quick Adjustments
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C009 47 77 - Atholea Drive (7.24 MB) (pdf)
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C326 - Atholea Drive (Maps & Proposal) (302 KB) (pdf)
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C001 - Bedford Commons (31.4 MB) (pdf)
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C003 - Lake Loon Golf Course (1.71 MB) (pdf)
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C005 - Purcell's Cove Rd (1.01 MB) (pdf)
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C025 Purcell's Cove Rd Package (3.02 MB) (pdf)
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C060 - First Lake Drive (974 KB) (pdf)
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C061-B- Paper Mill Lake (3.25 MB) (pdf)
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C070-B Lindforest Court (1.29 MB) (pdf)
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C070-E Morris Lake (1.37 MB) (pdf)
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C079 Birch Hill Mobile Home Park (1.46 MB) (pdf)
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C086 - Exhibition Park (10.6 MB) (pdf)
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Herring Cove Holding Zone Requests (992 KB) (pdf)
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C070-A Herring Cove (Clifton Heights) (4.93 MB) (pdf)
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C074 Herring Cove (lands southwest of Herring Cove Rd) (1.01 MB) (pdf)
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C333 - Herring Cove/Spryfield Area (Maps & Proposal) (1.13 MB) (pdf)
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Phase 4 Draft Regional Plan
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C027 - Purcell's Cove Rd, Ketch Harbour (2.49 MB) (pdf)
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C089 - Smiths Road (1.07 MB) (pdf)
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C104 - Bayers Lake (1.44 MB) (pdf)
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Site Specific - Middle Sackville (948 KB) (pdf)
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C070-C - Middle Sackville (Rosemary Dr) (878 KB) (pdf)
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C070-D Middle Sackville (Little Lake) (2.51 MB) (pdf)
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C102 - Middle Sackville (North of Hwy 101) (1020 KB) (pdf)
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C310 - Middle Sackville (south of Springfield Lake) (1.11 MB) (pdf)
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C311 - Middle Sackville (North of Webber Lake) (3.52 MB) (pdf)
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C312 - Middle Sackville (north of Springfield Lake) (1.79 MB) (pdf)
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C314 - Middle Sackville (Orchard Dr & Bambrick Rd) (1.5 MB) (pdf)
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C319 - Middle Sackville (Highway 101. Margeson Dr) (1.84 MB) (pdf)
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C320 - Middle Sackville (Berry Hills) (1.16 MB) (pdf)
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22257 - Purcell's Cove Backlands (3.56 MB) (pdf)
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Phase 5 Future Communities
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23084 and C061-C - Bedford Waterfront (2.74 MB) (pdf)
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C061-A - Birch Cove, Bedford Highway (1.9 MB) (pdf)
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C071 - Lands near Kidston Lake (11.6 MB) (pdf)
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C103 - Lands east of Beaver Bank Rd (1.08 MB) (pdf)
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Site Specific Schedule J (1.09 MB) (pdf)
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C017 - Schedule J (Lands west of Sandy and Marsh Lake) (4.91 MB) (pdf)
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C109 - Schedule J (Lands North of Hammonds Plains Rd) (1.89 MB) (pdf)
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C117 - Schedule J (Lands near Kinsac Lake) (10.8 MB) (pdf)
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C299 - Schedule J (Lands near Barrett Lake) (1.42 MB) (pdf)
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C300 - Schedule J (Monarch Dr) (1.34 MB) (pdf)
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C317 - Schedule J (Hammonds Plains Rd & Lucasville Rd) (2.28 MB) (pdf)
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New Requests
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C325 - Montague Gulf Course (Map & Proposal) (2.79 MB) (pdf)
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C328 - Cow Bay (Map & Proposal) (331 KB) (pdf)
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C329 - Birch Hill Mobile Home Park (Maps & Letter) (360 KB) (pdf)
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C337 - Fraser Lake, Timberlea (Maps & Proposal) (1.4 MB) (pdf)
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C339 - Park West Centre (Maps & Proposal) (10.7 MB) (pdf)
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C343 - Beaver Bank (Maps & Proposal) (747 KB) (pdf)
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C405 - Mayor Ave & Layton Rd (2.31 MB) (pdf)
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