Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you have a question you would like answered about the Penhorn/Woodlawn Community Visioning process?  The answer you are looking for may be included here.  If not, please send us an email with your question and we will do our best to answer it!

1. What is Community Visioning?
2. What are some examples of things a community vision might include?
3. What is "out of scope" for Community Visioning?
4. Which communities in HRM are participating in VisionHRM?
5. Who is guiding the visioning process for the Penhorn/Woodlawn area?
6. How were the Community Liaison Group (CLG) members recruited?
7. What will the visioning process produce?
8. What will the Action Plan be used for?
9. What is the boundary of the Penhorn/Woodlawn vision area?
10. How is the community being engaged in this process?
11. What happens following the community engagement?
12. How is the visioning process connected to other community consultation going on in the area?
13. What is the latest information on the Penhorn Mall redevelopment?
14. What is as-of-right development?
15. What happened with all of the demolition materials from the old WalMart store?
16. What is the latest information on the new Woodlawn library?
17. What is the latest on the Alderney School process?
18. What is happening with Main Street Streetscape Study?
19. If I have questions or want more information about the visioning process, who do I contact?
20. Can I provide my comments about the Penhorn/Wwoodlawn area using the Internet?
21. How do I get information if I do not have a computer or access to the Internet?

1. What is Community Visioning?

Community Visioning is a process used by Halifax Regional Municipality's (HRM) Regional Council to implement the region's Regional Plan at the local level.  The main objective of community visioning is to engage residents in communities designated as growth centres (in the Regional Plan) in a dialogue on what their communities should look like, feel like and be like 10, 15 and 20 years into the future.  The Penhorn area is designated as an urban local centre under the Regional Plan.

2. What are some examples of things a Community Vision might include?

A Community Vision might include statements about the desired look and feel of community assets, the creation and management of public spaces, the amount and location of development, housing mix, shopping areas, transit, the safe movement of cars, cyclists and pedestrians, community greening initiatives, public spaces, recreation programs, economic development, activities for children, youth, and seniors, and community involvement to name a few.

3. What is out of scope for Community Visioning? 

A Community Vision is intended to be broad and directional in nature.  Processes considered out of scope for community visioning include:

4. Which communities in HRM are participating in VisionHRM this year?

In 2008/09, participating communities inlcude the Penhorn/Woodlawn area of Dartmouth, Spryfield and Middle Sackville.  The Bedford Waterfront, Fall River and Musquodoboit Harbour prepared community visions in 2007 and are now in the implementation stage of the visioning process.

5. Who is guiding the visioning process for the Penhorn/Woodlawn area?

The visioning process is guided by a working group of local residents called a Community Liaison Group (CLG).  The CLG's work is assisted by HRM Community Development staff.  The CLG started meeting in September 2008 and continues to meet practically every week.

6. How were CLG members recruited?

CLG members were recruited by HRM staff in an effort to represent a cross-section of the community.  First, residents of the area were invited to a kick-off event where they had the opportunity to express their interest in being part of the CLG.  Recruitment was also advertised using community newspapers, e-mail lists, the website www.halifax.ca/visionhrm, posters and councillor newsletters.

7. What will the visioning process produce?

The visioning process will deliver a Community Profile, Community Vision and

an Action Plan which will be presented to Regional Council by June 2009.

8. What will the Action Plan be used for?

The action plan will identify and prioritize the actions to achieve the vision in the short, medium and longer term.  The action plan, once approved by Regional Council, can be considered in conjunction with HRM’s annual business and budget planning processes.  The action plan will also be an important tool for the community to use to seek out partnerships and develop its own opportunities to implement local projects.

9. What is the boundary of the Penhorn/Woodlawn vision area ?

The boundary of the vision area focuses on the Penhorn area of Dartmouth, Woodlawn and surrounding neighbourhoods within approximately a one kilometre walking radius of the Penhorn transit terminal.  View a map [PDF, 2.05MB] showing the boundary.

10. How is the community being engaged in this process?

11. What happens following the community consultation?

The CLG will prepare a draft vision for the Penhorn/Woodlawn area and invite the community and key stakeholders to review and comment on the draft document.  The CLG will then present the final document to Regional Council.

12. How is the visioning process connected to other community consultation going on in the area?

There are several other ongoing community consultations that may have an impact on the outcome of the Penhorn/Woodlawn community visioning process.  They include the Alderney School review process conducted by the Halifax Regional School Board, the expansion of the Woodlawn library, the redevelopment of Penhorn Mall, and the Main Street Vision & Streetscape Study.  The CLG will stay abreast of these processes and will bear in mind their outcomes when drafting the Vision & Action Plan.

13. What is the latest information on the Penhorn Mall redevelopment?

During the first week of May 2009, site preparations commenced for a new retail strip mall to be located overlooking Highway 111.  The strip mall is permitted "as-of-right" (see definition below), which means it does not require public consultation due to the commercial zoning on the property.

On May 13, 2008 Empire Company Limited (ECL) announced plans to redevelop a portion of the existing Penhorn Mall site in Dartmouth.  The first phase of this project, which includes a new Sobeys grocery store, opened in February 2009. 

The next phase of development has not yet been determined.  Any future residential development on the Penhorn mall property would have to go through a municipal plan amendment process and must include public consultation.  Currently no application has been made for residential development on the Penhorn Mall site.

14. What is “as of right” development?

The Dartmouth Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and zoning regulations provide property owners with certain “as-of-right” development rights related to what can be built on their property. With “as-of-right” development, there is no legal requirement for the property owner to consult with the public on a proposal because the development of the MPS previously included public consultation.  Public consultation is required however, if the MPS needs to be amended (changed) or if a development agreement (i.e. development contract) is required for a project to proceed.

15. What happened with all the demolition materials from the Wal-Mart store?

The material from the demolition of the former Wal-Mart store is being used for the base of the new Sobeys store.  The soil stock-piled at the back of the mall site will be safely stored and used when needed for further site development.

16. What is the latest information on the Woodlawn Library?

The former Empire Theatre building located at 650 Portland Street, next to the Atlantic Superstore, has been selected as the new home of the Woodlawn Library. The new Woodlawn Library location was announced by Halifax Public Libraries on April 6, 2009.

Potential sites for a new and improved library included the existing Woodlawn Library location, as well as the Penhorn Mall site.  The Empire Theatre property was chosen based on site selection criteria including accessibility, visibility, and location for area patrons.  The Library's move to the new location is expected later this fall.

Details of the new library facility may be found at the following link:
http://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/about/news/woodlawn-library-expansion.html

17. What is the latest information on the Alderney School? 

In their decision of March 25, 2009 the Halifax Regional School Board removed Alderney School from the list of potential school closures as part of the "Imagine Our Schools" review.

Board members based their decision in part on the uncertainty regarding the future construction of new schools, the safety of the students walking to the receiving schools of Southdale-North Woodside and Hawthorne Elementary, and the capability of these facilities to handle the additional student capacity.

In accordance with provincial regulations, an Identification Report for the school was completed and made available to the public on April 30, 2008.  An Impact Assessment Report was presented at the board meeting on May 28, 2008.  On December 3, 2008, the Study Committees for the school tabled their responses to the Impact Assessment Report.  The Study Committee held a public meeting on Februray 2, 2009 and committed to announcing the results of the review by the end of March 2009.  For more information see http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/content/id/1030.html

18. What is happening with the Main Street Streetscape Study?

In May 2008 Regional Council approved the Main Street Streetscape Plan and has authorized work on a secondary planning strategy to implement the recommendations.  Council at the same time endorsed a vote by area businesses to create a Business Improvement District funded through a tax levy. Consultation on the Secondary Plan review will begin early in the new year. For more information see www.halifax.ca/districts/dist06/District6-MainStreet.html

19. If I have questions or want more information about the visioning process, whom do I contact?

Call VisionHRM at 490-5857 or email to visionhrm@halifax.ca.  You may also wish to visit the VisionHRM website www.halifax.ca/visionhrm for information about community visioning and the VisionHRM project, including upcoming events.

20. Can I provide my comments about the Penhorn/Woodlawn Area using the Internet?

Yes!  A new Facebook account has been set up and is an excellent way to provide your comments.  Simply search for the Penhorn/Woodlawn Community Liaison Group. If you prefer, you can always e-mail your questions and ideas to vsionhrm@halifax.ca and project staff will reply.

21. If you do not have access to a computer or Internet, please call VisionHRM at 490-5857.  Leave your name, phone number and mailing address.  You will receive information as it becomes available.