Province Accelerates HRM Development with New Initiatives
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is witnessing significant developments in its housing initiatives as the Province implements new measures. These actions are designed to accelerate the growth of housing options in the region. Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr has designated HRM as an interim planning area, which introduces new minimum planning requirements effective immediately.
New Planning Orders for HRM
With this designation, specific policies from HRM’s Regional Plan for suburban growth can now be enforced. Minister Lohr emphasized the urgent need for housing in Halifax. “We’re taking action to unlock development in the municipality while work on the Regional Plan continues,” he stated. The interim planning area order aims to remove barriers to residential development in HRM.
Minimum Planning Requirements
- Permitting residential uses in most zones.
- Calculating gross density for conservation developments starting before April 1, 2028.
- Ensuring height restrictions do not hinder density for mass timber or other building methods.
- Removing unit mix requirements in residential buildings before April 1, 2028.
- Reducing ground floor commercial space percentage in residential buildings.
- Eliminating on-site parking requirements for urban service areas.
- Permitting temporary housing in non-permanent structures across all zones.
- Allowing manufactured housing, including modified shipping containers, in residential areas.
Supporting Suburban Growth
Minister Lohr has also revamped the Minimum Planning Requirement Regulations to clearly outline zones where residential development is not permissible. This revision extends the timeline on temporary provisions until April 1, 2028, thus maintaining a two-year opportunity for projects in the initial planning stages.
Opportunity Sites for Development
Suburban growth policies enabled by the interim planning designation permit consideration of residential projects near existing or proposed rapid transit routes. The following nine sites have been identified as opportunity zones:
- Dunbrack Street and Lacewood Drive
- Clayton Park Downsview Mall
- Lower Sackville
- Herring Cove Road at Dentith Road
- Spryfield Mill Cove
- Bedford
- Portland Street/Baker Drive, Dartmouth
- Portland Street/Eisener Boulevard, Dartmouth
- Tacoma Drive, Dartmouth
- Woodlawn Mall, Dartmouth
- Melville Heights/Herring Cove Road, Armdale
Identification as opportunity sites streamlines the application process for new developments and aids in infrastructure planning for these identified growth areas.
New Collaborative Initiatives
The Province is actively collaborating with HRM to create a more resident-focused Regional Plan. “People in the Halifax Regional Municipality need housing, and we are doing everything in our power to make this happen,” stated Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth and Development. He emphasized the importance of progressing housing projects efficiently to meet the needs of Halifax’s residents.
Furthermore, Mayor Andy Fillmore noted the municipality’s shared goals with the Province in unlocking more housing and accelerating development through policy reforms.
Key Deadlines and Legislative Context
- The municipality is required to implement minimum planning requirements by June 30, 2025.
- Minister Lohr’s authority to designate an interim planning area derives from the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.
- HRM is expected to adopt a Suburban Plan by January 31, 2025.
- Since 2023, the Province has initiated plans to create 68,841 new housing units under its Action for Housing initiative.
For further details regarding these developments and regulatory maps, resources are available on El-Balad’s website, where housing initiatives are highlighted consistently to address the growing demand in the municipality.
