Centre Plan Update – November 2021

Centre Plan was approved by Regional Council and is in effect as of November 27, 2021.  Approved planning documents are now available here. Thank you to all residents, stakeholders, and members of the Community Design Advisory Committee for your engagement and feedback on the Centre Plan.

The Centre Plan was a planning process for the Regional Centre, including Peninsula Halifax and Dartmouth inside the Circumferential Highway. The Centre Plan was developed in two phases, Package A - approved by Council in September of 2019, and Package B approved by Regional Council on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 following a public hearing. With the approval of the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, all pre-existing planning documents are repealed from the Regional Centre Plan Area and the new policies apply.

The Centre Plan is based on the core concepts of complete communities, pedestrians first, human sled design, and strategic growth in areas served by transit and other services.   The plan was developed with extensive community engagement and supports new housing, business opportunities, urban design, heritage, and parks and open spaces.   

Regional Council Approves Key Changes

Between April and July 2021, a number of Community Councils and Committees of Council reviewed Centre Plan Package B and forwarded recommendations to Regional Council. On August 17, 2021 Regional Council provided direction to staff on changes to the proposed planning documents arising from the review process, including a number of site-specific zoning changes identified in the supplementary staff report. On October 26, 2021, Regional Council approved the plan. The adoption path included:

Adoption Path Committee Or Council Agenda Link Recommendation Received

Community Design Advisory Committee June 2, 2021
June 10, 2021
June 16, 2021
June 23, 2021 Yes

Heritage Advisory Committee June 2, 2021
June 23, 2021 Yes

Harbour East–Marine Drive Community Council June 3, 2021 Yes

Design Review Committee June 10, 2021 Yes

Halifax and West Community Council June 22, 2021 Yes

Regional Centre Community Council June 28, 2021 Yes

Community Planning and Economic July 14, 2021 Yes
Development Standing Committee

Committee of the Whole August 17, 2021
View the motion - 14.2 Ratifition from Committee of the Whole August 17, 2021 - Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law – Centre Plan Package B

First Reading October 5, 2021 Yes

Second Reading & Public Hearing October 26, 2021 Yes

Other Presentations

North West Community Council July 13. 2021 Information only
Design Advisory Committee July 14, 2021 Information only

Any submissions during the Centre Plan Adoption Process to Council or Committees of Council must be directed through the Office of the Municipal Clerk – clerks@halifax.

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Centre Plan Package B – What We Heard Report Released

On March 2, 2021 the Community Design Advisory Committee received the “What We Heard Report”, a summary of the community engagement process and feedback received on Centre Plan Package B. The agenda is available here. The meeting was livestreamed and the full report is available.

View the Package B documents. Interact with the map. See what is different.

View PLANifax’s video explaining what the Centre Plan is all about.

There are currently no events planned.

To contact us directly, email planHRM@halifax.