Port Wallace

What is the latest on the Port Wallace planning project?

The Regional Plan identifies Port Wallace as a potential future growth area—a new community to be serviced with municipal sewer and water services.

Regional Council initiated a planning process for the area in 2014. A new community will be designed and the servicing needs and boundaries for services determined. Once the overall design is completed, Regional Council will consider detailed policies and regulations pertaining to land use, layout, density, open space and other community amenities. All of this new information will be presented in a document known as a secondary planning strategy. A secondary planning strategy must be approved by Regional Council in order to become law.

An open house and public meeting was held on November 3, 2016. Alternative development proposals were presented for two land parcels—a 53-acre parcel and a 500-acre parcel, located on the east side of Lake Charles, between Waverley Road and Highway 107. Planning staff also presented draft design guidelines for Port Wallace.

Can I comment on the development proposals and draft design guidelines?

The deadline for public submissions about the development proposals remains open. The comments received up until November 2016 have been shared with the Port Wallace Public Participation Committee.

Anyone wishing to provide comments on the proposals presented by Clayton Developments or Conrad Brothers Ltd. may do so by contacting Andrew Bone, Planner III by email or by phone at 902.490.6743. You can also provide input on the draft design guidelines [PDF] to Andrew Bone.

Background work to inform the planning process:

Two reports have been completed so far are the Land Suitability Analysis and the Baseline Infrastructure Analysis.

The Land Suitability Analysis report provides an assessment of forested areas, wetlands and watercourses, steep slopes, potential contamination, and heritage and cultural landscapes. The report identifies areas that are suitable for development and areas that should be preserved for open space.

The Base Line Infrastructure report examines the surrounding water distribution, wastewater collection, and transportation systems (roads, transit, and active transportation) and reviews the opportunities and challenges that will have to be considered in the design of the new community.

What roles to citizens have in the planning process?

Community engagement is an important part of the planning process. Regional Council appointed members of the Port Wallace Public Participation Committee in 2014 to oversee public engagement and to make recommendations regarding the secondary planning strategy. The committee meets on an ad-hoc basis. The meetings are open to the public and the agendas are posted ahead of time.

How has the broader community been involved in this planning process?

Since the planning process began in 2014, two community meetings and one community workshop have taken place.

The first community information meeting on June 5, 2014, at the Port Wallis United Church, included a staff presentation [PDF] about the planning process followed by a question and answer period. Meeting notes [PDF] summarize what took place.

A Community Planning Workshop was held on June 11, 2014, at the Stevens Road United Baptist Church. The community was provided with a map of the planning area [PDF] and an opportunity to meet with the consultants for the property owners. Residents provided their input on significant environmental, cultural and heritage features in the area and this input was captured in the notes from the community workshop [PDF].

At a public meeting held on May 26, 2016, a Land Suitability Analysis report and a Baseline Infrastructure Analysis report were presented. Two presentations were explained these reports to the community:

Port Wallace Community Public Participation Committee

Up to eight citizens serve as members of this committee. North West Community Council and Harbour East – Marine Drive Community Council each recommend four citizens to Regional Council for appointment. More detail about the committee’s role can be found in the Terms of Reference [PDF].

Members of the board appointed by Regional Council:

Peter Connor
Claudia Currie
Adam Flick
Valerie Gray
Bertrand Losier
Cathernie Lunn
Robert MacPherson