Case 20226 - Beechville Planning Strategy Review & Community Benefit Action Plan

Proposal

Previous Proposal
As part of this planning process, Armco Capital Inc. had requested to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) to allow for 59 acres of undeveloped land in Beechville to be developed with:
• New public streets and public parks
• Sidewalks and multi-use trails
• Residential units, including: single and two unit houses; townhouses; apartment-style buildings
• Commercial uses

Armco had submitted the following details with their request to amend the MPS:
•    Application Letter (PDF) 
•    Concept Plan (PDF) 

In October of 2019, Armco withdrew their request to amend the MPS.  Armco has since applied to develop these lands through the development agreement process.
 

Process

On November 28, 2017, Regional Council directed staff to begin a process to consider new planning policies in the community of Beechville. This process includes a public participation program. The participation program involves creating a Beechville African Nova Scotian Community Liaison Group and hosting several rounds of public meetings with the Beechville Community.  Council also considered this process on May 9th, 2017. At that time, Council deferred the planning process. They requested a supplementary staff report, which was considered on November 28, 2017.

Initial Public Participation Program
Staff Report – May 9, 2017
Staff Report – November 28, 2017

Status

On September 29, 2020 Regional Council considered an additional staff report, and unanimously approved the recommendations contained within the report.  These recommendations require continuation of the Beechville Planning Strategy Review process and the undertaking of a Beechville Community Benefit Action Plan.  The goal of the Beechville Planning Strategy Review is to create new Municipal Planning documents for the community of Beechville, with a focus on responding to community concerns and opportunities.  The goal of the Beechville Community Benefit Action Plan is to address matters important to the Beechville community that are outside the scope of Municipal Planning documents.  The additional staff report also contains findings from the initial public participation program and requires an updated participation program that responds to these findings.

The next step in the Beechville Planning Strategy Review includes engagement with the Beechville Community Development Association. Engagement with the community will follow.

The next step in the Beechville Community Benefit Action Plan includes engagement with the Beechville Community Development Association.