Goals & Objectives

Objectives:

1. Maximize the use of spare capacity of existing infrastructure and encourage revitalization of under-utilized residential, industrial and commercial sites.
   
2. Identify and address infrastructure needs critical to business investment.
   
3. Attract private sector investment through regional growth planning, infrastructure investment and overall fiscal stability.

Goal 7.2: Achieve appropriate sharing of infrastructure and facility costs between developers, residents, HRM and other sources.

Objectives:

1. Review Capital Cost Contributions biannually, in consideration of the fiscal sustainability of new development/growth trends.
   
2. Increase the level of investment by federal and provincial governments in growth related infrastructure and facilities through mutual dialogue, ensuring all investments are appropriate to HRM's long range development goals.
   
3. Seek appropriate tools from the Province, to enable financing of development related facilities not already enabled in the Municipal Government Act.

Goal 7.3: Match infrastructure, facilities and services investment with HRM's capacity to pay.

Objectives:

1. Review the long term financial plan and the Regional Plan in the light of each other.
   
2. Link financial commitments for services such as transportation, schools, libraries, solid waste collection, recreation and parks operations, to the development approval process.
   
3. Ensure that HRM's tax structure encourages cost effective and efficient development.

Goal 7.4: Engage citizens in an ongoing dialogue through education, promotion and public debate on regional and local issues.

Objectives:

1. Achieve a high level of satisfaction from members of the public in the quality and timeliness of information that was provided for major decisions.
   
2. Increase the use of innovative public participation tools where appropriate, such as visual preference surveys, design workshops, 3-D modelling and web based communication.
   
3. Increase level of volunteer participation and public consultation in HRM initiatives.
   
4. Confirm public general understanding and support through routinely undertaking surveys to determine public awareness levels.

Goal 7.5: Coordinate land use policies and regulations with neighbouring counties and the Province, minimizing artificial incentives to development dispersal and associated transportation and servicing costs.

Objectives:

1. Avoid a shift in development from HRM to neighbouring counties attributable to land use regulation.
   
2. Establish an on-going liaison group with neighbouring counties and the Province, to ensure that the respective policy and regulatory environments are coordinated.

Goal 7.6: Facilitate an understanding of, and commitment to growth management among all levels of government, the public and key private and voluntary sector partners.

Objectives:

1. Obtain amendments to the Municipal Government Act to expand HRM's authority for influencing land use, site layout, environmental quality and building design.
   
2. Obtain legislative authority to implement innovative traffic control measures and dedicated lanes to support walking, cycling, carpooling and transit use while reducing energy consumption.
   
3. Periodically review the regulatory process with the public and development industry.

Goal 7.7: Streamline development regulation while maintaining a high level of public confidence in the approval process.

Objectives:

1. Eliminate out-dated and ineffective requirements.
   
2. Adopt development approval processes which add value rather than time, and which focus consultation on the issues of most interest to the public.
   
3. In consultation with the public, produce robust community plans which do not require excessive or repeated amendments to accommodate development proposals.
   
4. Increase the percentage of development applicants who conclude the process.

Goal 7.8: Identify areas of regional significance and ensure that policies and regulations for these areas reflect the collective interests of HRM citizens.

Objectives:

1. Provide policies that recognize the strategic value of key locations and other emerging centres to the long-term economic and social well-being of the region.

Goal 7.9: Ensure strong, consistent and pro-active code enforcement to maintain neighbourhood and community integrity

Objectives:

1. Ensure that regulations are intelligible for enforcement purposes.
   
2. Support an efficient and effective monitoring and enforcement regimen.
   
3. Establish integrated and automatic enforcement procedures.