Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual Meeting
Agenda
Virtual Public Hearings and How to Participate - Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE NOTE: All Regional Council meetings will be audio and/or video recorded for the purpose of creating a record of the proceedings. If you do not wish to be recorded, do not sign up to speak; you can provide a written submission via clerks@halifax.ca.
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 3 & 10, 2024
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, 15.2.1, 15.3.1, 15.5.1, 15.7.1
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 – September 3, 2024
10.1 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 48, Respecting the Creation of Community Councils - Regional Centre and Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Matters – Supplementary Report [Large 15 Mb PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 48, the Community Council Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 2 (Revised) of the supplementary staff report dated September 19, 2024.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M.
12.1 Regional Subdivision By-law Amendments - Security Options and Inspection Fees [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Regional Subdivision By-law as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated August 30, 2024.
12.2 MPSA-2023-00349: Amendments to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy, Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and associated development agreement for lands between Larry Uteck Boulevard, Starboard Drive, and Fleetview Drive, Halifax (Joint Meeting with North West Community Council) [Large 11 Mb PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the proposed amendments to the MPS for Bedford, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated July 25, 2024; and,
2. Adopt the proposed amendments to the MPS for Halifax, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated July 25, 2024.
It is further recommended that North West Community Council:
1. Provisionally approve the proposed development agreement to permit a lifestyle community
development, which shall be substantially of the same form as contained in Attachment C of the staff report dated July 25, 2024; and,
2. Require the development agreement be signed by the property owner within 120 days, or any
extension thereof granted by Council on request of the property owner, from the date of final
approval by Council and any other bodies as necessary, including applicable appeal periods,
whichever is later, otherwise this approval will be void and obligations arising hereunder shall be at
an end.
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.1.1 Fly-past Request – Remembrance Day Service* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft to fly over Halifax Grand Parade at a height of 500 feet above the highest obstacle at 11:02 a.m. on November 11, 2024, as part of Remembrance Day service.
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-law P-104, an Amendment to By-law P-100, Respecting the Board of Police Commissioners for the Halifax Regional Municipality [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law P-104, amending By-law P-100, the Police Board By-law, as set out in revised Attachment 2 of the staff report dated August 21, 2024.
15.1.2 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council and Proposed Amendments to the Investment Policy [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 2, the Audit and Finance Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order.
2. Adopt the amendments to the Investment Policy as set out in Attachment B to the staff report dated September 9, 2024.
3. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order One, the Procedures of Council Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment D to the staff report dated September 9, 2024.
15.1.3 Inclusion of a Pump Track within Parkland on Brookline Drive, Bedford [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer:
1. To proceed with the siting of a pad-ready area and initial site preparation for the development of pump track within the Brookline Drive parkland as outlined within the staff report dated September 19, 2024; and
2. To include the Brookline Drive Pump Track as outlined in the staff report dated September 19, 2024 within the 2025/26 Capital Budget for consideration by Regional Council.
15.1.4 Response to Changes to Provincial Minimum Planning Requirements
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1.Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
a. Initiate a process to consider amendments to all planning documents, including the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, all Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-Laws, and the Regional Subdivision By-Law to ensure compliance with the Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations as amended by the Province of Nova Scotia on August 20, 2024; and
b. Follow Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities for the required public participation program, as outlined in the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated September 13, 2024; and
c. Return to Regional Council with a staff report outlining the risks and potential approaches to land use planning in consideration of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Annapolis Group Inc. v. Halifax Regional Municipality.
2. Request that the Mayor send a letter to the Province of Nova Scotia requesting amendments to the HRM Charter to include immunity from construction taking/ de facto expropriation claims.
15.2 AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Discovery Centre Contribution Renewal Agreement* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a five-year Contribution Agreement with the Discovery Centre substantially in accordance with the draft agreement attached to the staff report dated July 23, 2024, with annual funding of $200,000.
15.3 COMMUNITY PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Framework for Major Events* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request the Chief Administrative Officer work with Discover Halifax to develop a major event policy framework.
15.4 TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
15.4.1 Implementation of Peninsula South Complete Streets - University Avenue and West and East Connections [Large 15 Mb PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the installation of bicycle facilities and related changes on University Avenue from
LeMarchant Street to South Park Street as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated July 29, 2024.
2. Subject to the approval of Recommendation 1 above, approve the use of the Peninsula South
Streetscape Design Guidelines as a guide for the implementation of the public realm improvements
along University Avenue.
3. Approve the installation of bicycle facilities and related changes on Morris Street from South Park
Street to Lower Water Street, including conversion of Morris Street to one-way eastbound for motor
vehicle traffic, as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated July 29, 2024.
4. Approve the installation of bicycle facilities and other related changes to Seymour Street (University
Avenue to South Street), South Street (Seymour Street to Cartaret Street), Cartaret Street, and
Oakland Road (Robie Street to Beaufort Avenue) as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated July 29, 2024.
5. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report regarding potential for including the full South Street Two-way Raised Bikeway (Concept 3A) as a part of the Halifax Urban Greenway project when planning the construction of the Oxford Street facility connecting the Beaufort and Coburg MUPS.
15.5 BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
15.5.1 Board of Police Commissioners Community Survey on Policing* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council allocate $25,000 in the board’s 2025-2026 budget for the purpose of conducting a monthly independent community survey on policing.
15.6 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.6.1 Less than Market Value Lease and Amending Agreement – Northwood Homecare Incorporated – 409 Glendale Drive [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve a less than market value lease extension and amending agreement, with terms set forth in the staff report dated July 4, 2024, with Northwood Homecare Incorporated for the premises located at 409 Glendale Drive, Lower Sackville, and authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the less than market value lease extension and amending agreement.
15.7 HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.7.1 HRTG-2024-00692: Request to Include 5450 Russell Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider 5450 Russell Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated August 22, 2024 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.8 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.8.1 Councillors Russell and Blackburn – Municipally Run Events and the Annual Event Calendar [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to write a staff report that:
1. Creates a policy/framework that provides clear criteria and a rationale for determining which significant events should be included in the annual municipal event calendar and be managed, either wholly or partially, by the municipality.
2. Conducts a full review of the current annual event calendar and propose changes to the existing events based on new policy and framework.
3. Investigates and propose methods of support for significant community-led events, such as the Sackville Tree Lighting ceremony. Support could include but not be limited to; funding options, in-kind resources, insurance provision, promotional assistance and streamlined permitting processes to help facilitate these important community events.
15.8.2 Councillor Mancini – Special Care Shared Housing Planning Strategies [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy and all applicable secondary municipal planning strategies and land use by-laws and engage with the relevant provincial departments, to assess the scale and location of shared housing with special care and return to Council with a staff report.
16. MOTIONS
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 – September 3 & 10, 2024
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of September 3 & 10, 2024 be approved as circulated.
17.2 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report – In Camera Information Item from September 10, 2024
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 convene to in camera (in private).
17.3 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 September 10, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 10, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 LEGAL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to litigation or potential litigation in regard to an identifiable person and information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to prejudice the interests of the Municipality.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated October 1, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated October 1, 2024 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 September 20, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 20, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.6 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 September 25, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 25, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Legal Matter
18. ADDED ITEMS
18.1 Halifax Water - Cogswell District Energy System – Non-Mandatory Zone [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Authorize the Halifax Regional Water Commission to operate the Cogswell District Energy System within the “non-mandatory” connection zone as depicted in Figure 2 of the Halifax Water report dated August 28, 2024, in addition to the existing mandatory connection zone.
2. Request the Mayor to write a letter to the Province of Nova Scotia requesting legislative amendments to the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter and Halifax Regional Water Commission Act, to:
a. expand the boundary of the Cogswell District Energy System to include the “non-mandatory” connection zone depicted in Figure 2 of the Halifax Water report dated August 28, 2024;
b. authorize the municipality to pass by-laws with respect to both the mandatory and nonmandatory connection zones; and
c. extend the application of Halifax Water’s statutory limitations of liability to the provision of incidental business, including district energy services.
18.2 Councillor Smith - Richmond Yards Building RA – Affordable Housing Units [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report: Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy to establish a site-specific development agreement policy for Richmond Yards Building RA on 6016 Almon Street (PID 00005181) to provide for two additional storeys in a tall mid-rise built form subject to the following requirements:
1. the development shall consist of no more than 12 storeys and meet the requirements of a tallmid-rise building under the Regional Centre Land Use By-law;
2. the building shall be designed in a coordinated way with the rest of Richmond Yardsdevelopment;
3. the development shall complete the active transportation connection from Clifton Street toRobie Street, located between Almon Street and St. Albans Street;
4. the development shall provide affordable dwelling units within the two additional storeys inaccordance with CMHC funding;
5. the development shall meet all other applicable requirements of the land use by-law and thesecondary municipal planning strategy; and
follow Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities for the required public participation program.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
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INFORMATION ITEMS
October 1, 2024
1. Proclamation – Nigeria Festival Week 2024 – October 1 – 7, 2024 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – HMCS Kootenay Day – October 23, 2024 [PDF]
3. Proclamation – Indigenous Disability Awareness Month – November 2024 [PDF]
7. Proclamation – Disability Employment Awareness Month – October 1 – 31, 2024 [PDF]
8. Proclamation – Source Water Protection Week – September 29 – October 5, 2024 [PDF]
9. Proclamation – Turkish Republic Day – October 29, 2024 [PDF]