Date:
Time: 10:00 a.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m. if required
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: August 22, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
(Joint Meeting with North West Community Council for the purposes of Item 15.1.8)
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Emergency Regional Council May 28 and June 2, 2023 and Regional Council July 11, 2023
4. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
5. CONSENT AGENDA*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 13.1.1, 15.1.6, 15.1.9, 15.1.12, 15.2.1, 15.2.2, 15.3.1, 15.6.1, 15.6.3, 15.7.1, and 15.7.2
6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
7. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
8. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION – NONE
9. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION – NONE
10. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – May 23 and July 11, 2023
10.1 Region Wide Approach to Shared Housing – Supplementary Report - REVISED [PDF]
10.1i Revised Staff Report dated April 19, 2023 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies for Bedford and Planning Districts 8 and 9 and Land Use By-laws for Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville; Bedford; Cole Harbour/ Westphal; Eastern Passage/ Cow Bay; Halifax Mainland; North Preston/ Lake Major/ Lake Loon/ Cherry Brook/ East Preston; Sackville Drive; Sackville; and Timberlea/ Lakeside/ Beechville, as set out in Attachments A and B (as revised) of the staff report dated April 19, 2023, to perform minor housekeeping amendments related to shared housing and tiny homes and to remove the Senior Citizens Housing land use from the Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville Land Use By-law; and
2. Give First Reading and schedule a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law for Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville, to establish Senior Citizens Housing use as an existing use on specified lots, as set out in Attachments A & B of the supplementary staff report dated July 7, 2023.
10.2 Councillor Cleary - Planning & Development Permitting and Development Approval Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
10.3 Councillor Cuttell - Restoration and Preservation of Fleming Cottage [Large 24 MB PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council consider the rehabilitation of the Sir Sandford Fleming Cottage, as the preferred option, be added to the 2024/2025 Regional Council capital budget deliberations for discussion.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS – NONE
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.1.1 Fly-past Request – Halifax International Fleet Week* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for Canadian Armed Forces assets to fly over the Halifax harbour at an altitude of 500 feet above the highest obstacles, for 2:00 p.m. on September 8 and 9, 2023, finishing with a flyby during the early afternoon on September 10, 2023 which will accompany the Parade of Ships as they leave the harbour for Exercise Cutlass Fury.
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-law L-500, Respecting the Construction and Operation of Land-Lease Communities, and Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees - Land-Lease Communities By-law Modernization Project (PLPPROJ-2023-00192) [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt By-law Number L-500, Respecting the Construction and Operation of Land-lease
Communities, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated June 12, 2023, which includes:
a. amendments to the Halifax County By-law 29, the Mobile Home Park By-law;
b. amendments to the City of Dartmouth By-law M-200, Respecting Mobile Homes and Mobile
Home Parks; and
c. repealing the City of Halifax Ordinance 143, Respecting Mobile Home Parks.
2. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 15, the License, Permits and Processing Fees
Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated June 12, 2023; and
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review options for incorporating the remaining land use
requirements of the existing Mobile Home Park By-laws into the applicable land use by-laws.
15.1.2 Second Reading Proposed By-law M-400 and Repeal of By-law H-400, Respecting Marketing Levy [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt By-Law M-400, the Marketing Levy By-law, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated July 4, 2023, which includes the repeal of By-Law H-400, the Marketing Levy By-law; and
2. Request the Mayor write to the Province of Nova Scotia requesting amendments to section 29A of
the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter to require platform operators to collect and remit the
marketing levy on behalf of operators.
15.1.3 Second Reading Proposed By-law S-804, an Amendment to By-law S-801, Respecting Licensing of Temporary Signs, and Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt By-law S-804 amending By-law S-801 – Respecting Licensing of Temporary Signs, as set
out in Attachment A of the staff report dated May 17, 2023; and
2. Adopt amendments to Administrative Order 15, License, Permits and Processing Fees, as set
out in Attachment C of the staff report dated May 17, 2023.
15.1.4 Second Reading Proposed By-law T-1007, an Amendment to By-law T-1000, Respecting Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines, and Transportation Network Companies, Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees, and Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 39, Respecting Taxi and Limousine Regulation – Taxi Broker Fee System [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt:
1. By-law T-1007 amending By-law T-1000 – Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines, and Transportation Network Companies, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated June 13, 2023;
2. Amendments to Administrative Order 15, License, Permits and Processing Fees, as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated June 13, 2023; and
3. Amendments to Administrative Order 39, Respecting Taxi and Limousine Regulation, as set out in Attachment D of the staff report dated June 13, 2023.
15.1.5 Second Reading Proposed By-law T-1200, Respecting Halifax Transit [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law T-1200, the purpose of which is to promote the safety, well-being, and comfort of passengers and employees of Halifax Transit, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated July 11, 2023.
15.1.6 Case 2023-00304: Amendments to the Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains, Upper Sackville Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to permit the development of an office building at 1274 Hammonds Plains Road* [Large 16 MB PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law
Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains and Upper Sackville to enable the development of an office building at 1274 Hammonds Plains Road; and
2. Follow the public participation program for municipal planning strategy amendments as approved by
Regional Council on February 27, 1997.
15.1.7 Case 24527: Secondary and Backyard Suites - Accessibility & Monitoring [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to explore the development of an incentive program for secondary and backyard suites with key features as outlined in the staff report dated May 24, 2023.
15.1.8 Cases 21946-A and 21946-B: Amendments to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and associated development agreements for lands at the intersections of Southgate Drive and Bedford Highway and Glenmont Avenue and Bedford Highway, Bedford (Joint Meeting with North West Community Council) [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) for Bedford, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated July 13, 2023, to enable one multi-unit dwelling, five single unit dwellings, and one commercial building on lands at the intersection of Southgate Drive and Bedford Highway and Glenmont Avenue and Bedford Highway and schedule a public hearing.
It is further recommended that North West Community Council:
2. Give Notice of Motion to consider the proposed development agreement, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated July 13, 2023, to permit a six-storey multi-unit dwelling at the northwest corner of Southgate Drive and Bedford Highway, Bedford. The public hearing for the development agreements shall be held concurrently with that indicated in Recommendation 1; and
3. Give Notice of Motion to consider the proposed development agreement, as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated July 13, 2023, to permit one 16,000 square foot commercial building and five single unit dwellings on the west side of the Bedford Highway between Southgate Drive and Glenmont Avenue. The public hearing for the development agreements shall be held concurrently with that indicated in Recommendation 1.
15.1.9 Proposed Administrative Order SC-102, Respecting Closure of a Portion of Windmill Road, Dartmouth – Partial Street Right-of-Way Closure* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for the public hearing to consider closing the portion of former Windmill Road street right-of-way shown in Attachment ‘A’ of the staff report dated July 24, 2023 as ‘Parcel B-2B’, save and except a 0.2 meter portion for street purposes, with notice to be published in a newspaper at least 14 days prior to the public hearing for the street closure.
15.1.10 Proposed Administrative Order SC-101, Respecting Closure of a Portion of Parkstone Road, Dartmouth – Parcel XA [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Designate Parcel X as set out in Attachment “C” of the staff report dated June 19, 2023, as Parkstone Road street right-of-way;
2. Approve Administrative Order SC-101 as set out in Attachment “B” of the staff report dated June 19, 2023, to close the surplus portion of Parkstone Road street right-of-way shown as Parcel XA; and
3. Designate Parcel X-R as set out in Attachment “A” of the staff report dated June 19, 2023, as Parkstone Road street right-of-way.
15.1.11 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council as outlined in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated June 13. 2023.
15.1.12 LWF Ratepayers Association 3rd Party Contribution Agreement Approval* [ Large 75 MB PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the LWF Ratepayers Association 3rd Party Contribution Agreement, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated August 1, 2023.
15.2 AUDIT & FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Budget Increase CD000001 Spring Garden Streetscaping and Contract Amendments for PO #2070858423* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve a transfer of $150,000 from Project Account No. CD000002 Argyle & Grafton to CD000001 Spring Garden Road.
2. Approve a transfer of $750,000 from Project Account No. CT190003 Downtown Dartmouth Infrastructure Renewal to CD000001 Spring Garden Road.
3. Approve a budget increase of $900,000 to Project Account CD000001 Spring Garden Streetscape.
4. Approve an increase of $908,386 (net HST included) to PO # 2070858423 for Brycon Construction Ltd. for changes in contracted scope of work, as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated June 15, 2023.
15.2.2 Business Services, P&D / PPL&C Team Augmentation* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve a transfer of $559,234 (net HST included) from Project Account No. CI990013 (Permitting, Licensing and Compliance) to Project Account No. CI230005 (Permitting Licensing & Compliance-Ph 2);
2. Award an Alternative Procurement contract to Bell Inc., for the provision of consulting services related to the Permitting, Planning, Licensing and Compliance (PPL&C) Program, in the amount of $559,234 (net HST included), using funding from Project Account No. CI230005 (Permitting Licensing & Compliance-Ph 2) as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated July 10, 2023.
15.3 ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Analysis of Halifax Becoming a Bee City* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to apply for Bee City status within one year of hiring a naturalization coordinator.
15.4 EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.4.1 Proposed Administrative Order 2023-001-GOV – Respecting Public Appointments to Committees of Council and External Boards [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt Proposed Administrative Order 2023-001-GOV – Respecting Public Appointments to Committees of Council and External Boards as set out at Attachment 1 of the staff report dated June 20, 2023, which includes the repeal of the 2011 Public Appointment Policy.
15.5 BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
15.5.1 Board of Police Commissioners’ Logo [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Grant permission for the Board of Police Commissioners to use the Official Corporate Coat of Arms of the Halifax Regional Municipality as a part of its logo; and
2. Approve that the Board of Police Commissioners adopt the following as its official logo as per Attachment 1 of the staff report dated July 5, 2023, revised August 4, 2023.
15.6 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.6.1 2023-24 Rural Transit Funding Program* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve grants, pursuant to the Rural Transit Grants Administrative Order, for the 2023-24 fiscal year, to a maximum of $400,000, including the grants set forth in Table 2 of the staff report dated June 13, 2023.
15.6.2 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM, Respecting Tax Relief to Non-Profit Organizations - Fiscal Year 2023/2024 – Proposed Amendments to Program Schedules [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the addition of twenty-two (22) properties to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM as detailed in the Discussion section of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 at an estimated combined cost of $253,359 from Operating Account M311-8006;
2. Approve six (6) one-time grants in support of properties developed under the auspices of the federal Rapid Housing Initiatives Program: Phase 1 and Phase 2 as listed in the Discussion section of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 at an estimated combined cost of $46,055 from Operating Account M311-8006;
3. Suspend the application of Sections 7C and 7D of Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM in fiscal year 2023/24 by amending the Administrative Order as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023;
4. Approve records management corrections and amendments as listed in the Discussion section of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 and as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023; and
5. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 including adopting Attachments A through E attached to Attachment 2 to repeal and replace Schedules 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 of the Administrative Order.
15.6.3 Volunteer Search & Rescue Grants Program: Recommended Awards Fiscal Year 2023-24* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the award of three (3) Operating Grants as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated June 30, 2023 for a total of $141,300.
15.7 HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.7.1 Case H00528: Substantial Alteration to the Municipally Registered Heritage Property at 10 Kirk Road, Halifax* [Large 75 MB PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed substantial alteration to 10 Kirk Road, Halifax as set out in the staff report dated July 21, 2023.
15.7.2 Case H00571: 2023 / 2024 Heritage Incentives Program – App # 24-031* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed grant (24-031) to the property known as 1099-1101 Tower Road, Halifax, conditional upon the applicants’ compliance with Sections 29 through 35 of Administrative Order Number 2014-002-ADM.
15.8 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.8.1 Councillor Mason – Adoption of Colour Coded Street Signs to Identify Ownership [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report regarding options and costs related to the possible adoption of colour coded street signs to identify ownership (municipal, provincial, or private) of roads in HRM.
15.8.2 Councillor Mason – Demolition Regulations and Empty Lot Tax [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report regarding disallowed demolition under normal circumstances until a building permit has been issued, and the establishment of an empty lot tax.
15.8.3 Councillors Mason and Lovelace – Wildland Urban Interface Preparedness Strategies [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request the Chief Administrative Officer prepare a staff report regarding wildland urban interface preparedness strategies for Halifax, including recommendations on the following:
1. Identify and create a prioritized list of communities within the wildland urban interface and intermix areas requiring addition of emergency evacuation routes and dry hydrants, with Halifax Emergency Management, Halifax Fire & Emergency, and Planning and Development to compile data to complete wildfire risk assessments and identify obstacles to completing these projects;
2. Review development standards and propose requirements for consideration regarding secondary evacuation routes and emergency water sources for all new and expanding large developments;
3. Review and make recommendations regarding improved resilient building codes, land use bylaws, homeowner education and other means that would encourage and require home hardening using low and non-combustible construction material to Fire Smart standards, Fire Smart building designs, defensible space standards for landscaping around homes, appropriate vegetation, tree species, and fire-fuel management program on public land, and public education and community action programs promoting fire risk awareness, and;
4. Present Council with options within its control for immediate action and a list of requests for the Province regarding either requests for additional powers or immediate action on the part of the Provincial Government, and;
5. Establishment of a joint working group with provincial and municipal staff to collaborate on collective action towards wildland fire mitigation and risk reduction in HRM, and;
6. Review of all current large development plans to confirm that secondary evacuation routes and planning for emergencies are incorporated;
7. Explore options for fulsome community wildfire response planning.
15.8.4 Councillor Hendsbee – Funding Request for the Sheet Harbour and Area Ground Search and Rescue [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to consider operational funding for the Sheet Harbour & Area Ground Search & Rescue, outside of the Administrative Order 2014-018-ADM, Respecting Grants to Volunteer Search and Rescue Organizations, process for fiscal year 23/24 only.
15.8.5 Councillor Cuttell – Review of uncommitted funds in the Herring Cove Treatment Plant Community Integration Fund [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report with respect to the allocation of $55,000 from the balance of uncommitted funds remaining in the former Herring Cove Treatment Plant Community Integration Fund held in the Options Reserve Q421 towards refurbishment and accessibility upgrades to the William King Elementary School playground in Herring Cove.
15.8.6 Deputy Mayor Austin – Halifax Water Permitting Fees and Affordable Housing [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on options to eliminate the Halifax Water permitting costs on non-profit affordable housing developments. Options to consider should include:
1. A grant program to reimburse non-profits for their permitting costs
2. Potential legislative changes to allow Halifax Water to waive those costs directly
15.8.7 Councillor Morse - By-Law A700 - Respecting Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report and recommendations with respect to increasing the fines for dealing with animals that attack as set out in By-law A-700, Respecting Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership, HRM’s animal control by-law. The recommendations for fine increases should be based on a jurisdictional scan of Canadian municipalities and be high enough to serve as a significant deterrent to animal attacks on residents and pets.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Mayor Savage [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report looking at options for providing municipal financial support to the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) for their 2023 Conference taking place in Halifax November 8-10, 2023.
17. IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)
Council may rise and go into a private In Camera session, in accordance with Section 19 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, for the purpose of dealing with the following:
17.1 In Camera (In Private) Minutes – July 11, 2023
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of July 11, 2023 be approved as circulated.
17.2 PUBLIC SECURITY - Private and Confidential Report – Deferred from June 20 & July 11, 2023
A matter pertaining to issues impacting public security.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated June 14, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 14, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report – Deferred from July 11, 2023
A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated June 29, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 29, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated August 22, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 22, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.5 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated May 15, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated May 15, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.6 PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated July 12, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated July 12, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
18. ADDED ITEMS
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
August 22, 2023
1. Proclamation - Emancipation Day – August 1, 2023 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – Jamaica’s Independence Anniversary – August 4, 2023 [PDF]
3. Proclamation – World PVNH Disorder Awareness Day – August 7, 2023 [PDF]
7. Proclamation – Vietnam National Day – September 2, 2023 [PDF]