Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District

Schmidtville is a largely intact area of architectural character associated with the early settlement of Nova Scotia as one of Halifax’s first suburbs outside the fortified fences. Its individual buildings are important in terms of their heritage value. They collectively provide a reminder of a past era and are compatible in terms of their architecture, scale, height, building materials, age, and proportion.

Due to its location abutting the boundaries of downtown Halifax, Schmidtville is experiencing pressures for new development. Existing policy and regulations, relevant to the proposed Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District, is insufficient in protecting and conserving the heritage values and character defining elements of the district. Therefore, conservation measures are required to supplement or amend the existing legislation.

Please use the features below to ask questions and share stories of the proposed District. In the column to the right, you can view images, a video, Frequently Asked Questions and documents relating to the District.

Check back often as important dates will be published for additional engagement activities. Please stay engaged in the process, your feedback is essential!


Schmidtville is a largely intact area of architectural character associated with the early settlement of Nova Scotia as one of Halifax’s first suburbs outside the fortified fences. Its individual buildings are important in terms of their heritage value. They collectively provide a reminder of a past era and are compatible in terms of their architecture, scale, height, building materials, age, and proportion.

Due to its location abutting the boundaries of downtown Halifax, Schmidtville is experiencing pressures for new development. Existing policy and regulations, relevant to the proposed Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District, is insufficient in protecting and conserving the heritage values and character defining elements of the district. Therefore, conservation measures are required to supplement or amend the existing legislation.

Please use the features below to ask questions and share stories of the proposed District. In the column to the right, you can view images, a video, Frequently Asked Questions and documents relating to the District.

Check back often as important dates will be published for additional engagement activities. Please stay engaged in the process, your feedback is essential!


  • 2nd Open House and Community Workshop

    about 2 years ago
    P5081133

    Last year, HRM Regional Council initiated a process to establish a Heritage Conservation District in Schmidtville. As part of this process, Council appointed a Stakeholder Steering Committee to work with municipal staff in its consultation with the community and in preparation of a Plan and Bylaw for the District.

    Since then, the municipality has held four community workshops and nine meetings with the Stakeholder Committee and its seven community members. A draft Plan and Bylaw for the proposed Heritage Conservation District will be available for public review at http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville/documents from September 14th until October 5th. Additional information...

    Last year, HRM Regional Council initiated a process to establish a Heritage Conservation District in Schmidtville. As part of this process, Council appointed a Stakeholder Steering Committee to work with municipal staff in its consultation with the community and in preparation of a Plan and Bylaw for the District.

    Since then, the municipality has held four community workshops and nine meetings with the Stakeholder Committee and its seven community members. A draft Plan and Bylaw for the proposed Heritage Conservation District will be available for public review at http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville/documents from September 14th until October 5th. Additional information about the project is also available on this website.

    We would like you to be engaged in this process. Please attend an Open House and Community Workshop at the following time and location:

    Wednesday, September 21, 2016
    6:30 pm
    Great Hall in the Cathedral Church of All Saints1340 Cathedral Lane, Halifax, NS
    (Refreshments will be provided)

    At this workshop, municipal representatives will present a first draft of the Heritage Conservation District Plan and Bylaw. Along with the Stakeholder Steering Committee consisting of local property owners, tenants, and heritage advocates, we will listen to community feedback concerning this initiative using a community workshop format.

    A Heritage Conservation District is a defined area of historic or architectural importance that is designated, under the Heritage Property Act. Municipal investments in the public realm of Schmidtville, including interpretive panels and street lamps, will highlight the cultural heritage values and traditional architectural character of the District. A financial incentives program, such as grants and tax rebates, will encourage both public and private investments in the maintenance and conservation of historic buildings. And a regulatory program will secure the housing stock and authentic character of the District well into the future while allowing for rear yard additions and existing commercial uses.

    The benefits of the Heritage Conservation District relate to sustainable development, community confidence and identity, quality of life and opportunities for education. A Heritage Conservation District can also lead to economic benefits including the stabilization of property values and the encouragement of cultural heritage tourism.

    Seamus McGreal
    Planner III
    Planning & Development

  • Schmidtville January Workshops

    over 2 years ago

    Thank you for participating in one or more of the workshops in January to discuss the array of different topics relating to a Heritage Conservation District for Schmidtville. We have received some positive comments about these workshops and the feedback from the workshops will provide valuable guidance as we now begin to draft a plan and by-law. The minutes for the three workshops are now available at http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville.

    We expect to review an initial draft of the plan and by-law in the spring with the Stakeholder Steering Committee. We will then hold another public meeting using a workshop format...

    Thank you for participating in one or more of the workshops in January to discuss the array of different topics relating to a Heritage Conservation District for Schmidtville. We have received some positive comments about these workshops and the feedback from the workshops will provide valuable guidance as we now begin to draft a plan and by-law. The minutes for the three workshops are now available at http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville.

    We expect to review an initial draft of the plan and by-law in the spring with the Stakeholder Steering Committee. We will then hold another public meeting using a workshop format to review the draft plan and by-law with the larger community.


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  • Proposed Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District proceeds to next phase in approval process

    over 3 years ago

    Thursday, June 25, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – A proposed Heritage Conservation District in Schmidtville, the Halifax neighbourhood bordered by Morris Street, Brenton Street, Dresden Row, Birmingham Street and Clyde Street, is moving into the public participation phase of the heritage district approval process.

    The municipality recently received acceptance notification from the provincial Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, of the district background study undertaken as part of the legislative approval process. This is an important step forward as it recognizes the historic significance of the district and allows the municipality to move into the public participation phase of the process.

    ...

    Thursday, June 25, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – A proposed Heritage Conservation District in Schmidtville, the Halifax neighbourhood bordered by Morris Street, Brenton Street, Dresden Row, Birmingham Street and Clyde Street, is moving into the public participation phase of the heritage district approval process.

    The municipality recently received acceptance notification from the provincial Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, of the district background study undertaken as part of the legislative approval process. This is an important step forward as it recognizes the historic significance of the district and allows the municipality to move into the public participation phase of the process.

    A stakeholder steering committee comprised of area property owners, tenants, heritage subject matter experts and members of the municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will look at issues and opportunities, engage in the public participation process and review draft policy and regulations. The committee selection process was recently completed, and the municipality is pleased to announce its membership as follows:

    • Mr. William Breckenridge (tenant)
    • Ms. Kristina Chapman (tenant)
    • Ms. Mary E. Donovan (property owner)
    • Mr. Larry Haiven (property owner)
    • Mr. Benjamin LeBlanc (member of Heritage Advisory Committee)
    • Ms. Beverly Miller (member of Nova Scotia Heritage Trust)
    • Ms. Janet Morris (member of Heritage Advisory Committee)
    • Mr. Lyndon Watkins (property owner)

    It is anticipated that the Stakeholder Steering Committee will hold its first meeting in late July to initiate plans for the initial public consultation event this summer.

    For more information on the proposed Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District, and work underway to establish other Heritage Conservation Districts, visit http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville.

    - 30 -

    Media Contact:

    Tiffany Chase
    Halifax Regional Municipality
    Public Affairs
    902-490-5057
    chaset@halifax.ca


  • Municipality to unveil Historic Schmidtville signage

    over 3 years ago

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to join Deputy Mayor Lorelei Nicoll and the Friends of Schmidtville at a ceremony tomorrow to officially unveil new interpretative panels and way finding signage for Historic Schmidtville.

    When: Friday, June 12, 2 p.m.

    Where: Halifax Central Library, South Plaza (corner of Clyde Street and Queen Street)

    The municipality has installed two interpretative panels that provide background information on the historic significance of the area, as well as blades on top of street name signs delineating the Historic Schmidtville neighbourhood along Morris Street, Brenton Street, Dresden...

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to join Deputy Mayor Lorelei Nicoll and the Friends of Schmidtville at a ceremony tomorrow to officially unveil new interpretative panels and way finding signage for Historic Schmidtville.

    When: Friday, June 12, 2 p.m.

    Where: Halifax Central Library, South Plaza (corner of Clyde Street and Queen Street)

    The municipality has installed two interpretative panels that provide background information on the historic significance of the area, as well as blades on top of street name signs delineating the Historic Schmidtville neighbourhood along Morris Street, Brenton Street, Dresden Row, Birmingham Street and Clyde Street.

    Schmidtville is the fourth cultural district in Halifax to be denoted as such with on street signage. Historic Irishtown, the Hydrostone Neighbourhood and the Westmount Neighbourhood were declared important cultural districts, with similar signage recently installed.

    The Halifax Regional Municipality is also in the process of establishing Schmidtville as a Heritage Conservation District, as enabled by the provincial Heritage Property Act. For more information on this initiative, visit http://shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/schmidtville.

    - 30 -

    Media Contact:

    Tiffany Chase
    Halifax Regional Municipality
    Public Affairs
    902-490-5057
    chaset@halifax.ca