Province overrides planning power in Halifax to build more homes

Nova Scotia introduced sweeping new orders that override municipal planning to get more homes built in Halifax.

On Friday, Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr announced the designation of the entire Halifax Regional Municipality as an interim planning area, meaning new minimum planning requirements would take effect immediately.

“There’s a critical need for housing in Halifax,” Minister Lohr said. “We’re taking action to unlock development in the municipality while work on the Regional Plan continues. These orders will give effect to the minimum planning requirement regulations for housing supply and allow planning and development to begin in key suburban areas targeted for growth.”

Lohr said the order removes barriers to development and would require the municipality to permit residential uses in most zones. It also changes the calculation of density, puts clauses on height restrictions, and removes on-site parking requirements for residential buildings within the urban service area.

In the suburban areas, the designation allows for residential projects near proposed or existing rapid transit routes to be considered for a development agreement.

Nine suburban growth areas have also been identified in Clayton Park, Lower Sackville, Spryfield, Bedford, Dartmouth, and Armdale.

The designation of the interim planning area was made under subsection 229A (2) of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

But while some opposition has said the order overrules municipal planning responsibility, Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore has welcomed the decision.

“Halifax shares the same goal as the Province: unlocking more housing and accelerating development,” he said. “We are aligned in the urgent need to enable growth by removing barriers. The steps announced today reflect the shared mission in our respective planning work. The municipality is moving quickly to deliver an amended Regional Plan by the end of 2025, and I will continue to work closely with the Province to build more housing, faster.”

A staff report will come before regional council Tuesday laying out a new period for public consultation on its Regional Plan.