Community Plan Update
Update: July 27, 2023
A public hearing for the Plan Update was held on July 27, 2023. At the public hearing Council approved the package of amendments to the East Hants Official Community Plan. The approval of the Plan did not include the Fundy Flood Risk Overlay designation and zone and also the Fundy Erosion Overlay designation and zone and therefore municipal regulations drafted regarding coastal erosion and coastal flooding do not apply to properties along the Fundy shoreline.
The next step in the process of the Plan Update is for the Minister responsible for provincial land use policies, the Honourable John Lohr, to review the package of amendments to the East Hants Official Community Plan. Approval by the Minister is required before the amendments come into effect. Until approval by the Minister is provided, all new land uses need to be consistent with both the existing land use regulations and the amended regulations approved by Council. East Hants Development staff will review development permit applications to ensure consistency between the two sets of Planning documents when a property owner submits an application for a building permit or development permit. If issues arise, Development staff will work with property owners to ensure consistency with both plans.
The Community Plan Update focused on bringing comprehensive land use planning to the future planned portion of East Hants, where there had only been wind energy regulations. Additional amendments were made to the comprehensively planned area of East Hants, although an extensive review of the comprehensively planned area was not completed. The final documents approved by Council can be found below.
Topic papers prepared for the Plan Update on a variety of land use issues can also be found below.
To find out more about the Plan Update or to discuss the policies and regulations approved by Council please email planning@easthants.ca or call 902-883-3387.
Community Plan Update
East Hants has an Official Community Plan that directs how the community grows and develops over time.
The provincial government has directed all Nova Scotia municipalities to plan for the efficient use of all land within their boundaries. East Hants Council has completed the process of amending our Community Plan so that the entire municipality has comprehensive land use planning. Planning helps to protect the public interest, and ensures that everyone has input into the development of their community.
Click on the image above to access the ‘Proposed Zoning Look-Up Tool’ mapping application, where you can search your property and find out more information on its future zoning. Note: If your zoning is currently identified as WE this is the area without comprehensive zoning.
Topics covered in the draft East Hants Official Community Plan include:
Amenity Space Improvements: In order to improve access to outdoor space for residents living in multiple unit buildings, changes are proposed to the amenity space requirements to improve the built environment.
Campgrounds: New land use regulations are proposed for those property owners wishing to develop or expand campgrounds.
Milford Groundwater Regulations: A new land use designation and zone has been created for Milford to protect existing drinking water supplies from well interference.
Shoreline Erosion & Flooding: A coastal erosion and shoreline flooding study has been completed for the East Hants Bay of Fundy shoreline. As a result of the study, regulations are being proposed for setbacks from the Bay of Fundy and the mouth of the Shubenacadie River shoreline.
Zoning: New land use zoning is being proposed in parts of East Hants that had no comprehensive planning. To look up your zoning information visit the Proposed Zoning Lookup Tool.
Draft East Hants Official Community Plan (July 2023)
Municipal Planning Strategy
Section B – Citizen Engagement
Section C1 – Growth Management and Infrastructure
Section C2 – Healthy Public Realm
Section C3 – Urban Design & Community Character
Section C5 – Parks, Open Space & Public Facilities
Section C6 – Residential Development
Section C7 – Economic Development
Section C8 – Rural Residential Development
Section C10 – Rural and Agricultural Lands
Section C11 – Tourism & Heritage
Section D – Realizing the Plan
Land Use Bylaw
Part 6 – Residential Neigbourhood Zones
Part 8 – Separated Commercial Zones
Part 11 – Appendix A Land Use Bylaw Maps
Part 11 – Appendix B Form Based Zone Requirements for the Village Core
Part 11 – Appendix C Site Plan Approval Forms
Part 11 – Appendix D Environmental Study
Part 11 – Appendix E Large Scale Wind Turbines
Part 11 – Appendix F MC Special Area Map
Subdivision Bylaw
Open Houses and Public Information Meetings Content (November 2022)
3 – Fundy Floodplain
4 – Lakeshore Residential Zone
7 – Watercourse Greenbelt Zone
8 – Other Changes – Plan Update
9 – East Hants Community Plan Update Presentation – November 2022
Major Reports
1 – Scoping Report
2 – Community Engagement Report
3 – Land Use Inventory Report – Future Planned Area
4 – Community Consultation Update 1 – June 2021
5 – Community Consultation Update 2 – Sept 2021
6- Community Engagement Report Phase 1 – December 2021
7 – First Reading Staff Report – May 2023
8 – Final Staff Report – July 2023
9- Public Hearing Presentation – July 2023
Topic Papers
1 – Beamish Road ; Beamish Road Supplemental
2 – Front Yard Accessory Buildings
3 – Salvage Yards
4 – Private Roads
5 – Milford Ground Water ; Milford Groundwater Study
6 – Campgrounds
8 – Rooster Report 1; Rooster Report 2; Rooster Report 3; Rooster Report 4
9 – Village Core (VC) Zone Plan Update
10 – Walkable Comprehensive Development District (WCDD) Zone Plan Update Report
11 – Housekeeping Mapping Amendments
12 – Fundy Vulnerability Staff Report; Fundy Vulnerability Study
13 – Multiple Unit Residential (R3) Zone Amendments
14 – Rural Settlements
15 – Agricultural Staff Report; Agricultural Land Report from Agricultural Advisory Committee
16 – Community Engagement Amendments Report
17 – Shubenacadie Village Core Parking Strategy
18 – Omnibus Official Community Plan General Amendment Report
19 – Public Gravel Roads
20 – Hockey Stick Lots and Flag Lots
21 – Poultry – Future Planned Area Report
22 – Additional Community Plan Proposed Amendments
23 – Accessory Structures in Front Yards – Updated April 2023
24 – Fundy Erosion Designation and Zone – Updated April 2023
Appendix A: Shoreline Vulnerability Study; Shoreline Vulnerability Staff Report
Appendix B: Climate Change NS More Intense Storms; Sea Level Rising
Appendix C: GFLUM Map 8; LUB Map 8; Draft LUB FE Zones; Draft MPS FE Zones
Videos
1 – Community Plan Update Video – Introduction
Open House Content (October 2021)
4 – Settlements
5 – Environment
8 – Agriculture
9 – Class 2 Soil Map
10 – Canada Land Inventory Soils Map (soil class descriptions)
11 – Land Use Inventory
Have questions about the Community Plan Update? Contact us at planning@easthants.ca or call 902-883-3387