Case 21875 - Wilfred Jackson Way and Highway 7, Westphal

Request

Akoma Holdings Inc. is applying to allow specific commercial, recreational and residential uses at the former Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children (NSHCC) in Westphal to allow the appropriate adaptive re-use of the property. This proposal cannot be considered under existing MPS policies. Therefore, the applicant is seeking amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, Regional Subdivision By-law, Cole Harbour/Westphal Municipal Planning Strategy and Cole Harbour/Westphal Land Use By-law to enable their proposal. Regional Council initiated Akoma's request on October 2, 2018.

Proposal

Akoma proposes to re-develop the former Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children (NSHCC) lands to create “a revitalized and energetic Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, as the setting for a Centre of Excellence for the entire African Nova Scotian community”. Akoma Holdings has submitted to HRM plans and documents in support of their proposal. The current zoning of the property does not allow for the proposed uses, so Akoma Holdings is going through a planning process to change the policies and zoning applicable to the NSHCC site. 

Akoma Holding’s proposal is being considered through two planning projects, each of which require a decision of Regional Council: (1) Case 21875 focuses on Akoma’s immediate development goals including reuse of the former Home, seniors housing and other uses within a portion of the site along Highway 7 and adjacent to Giberson Drive; and (2) Case 22257 is the second review of the Regional Plan which will consider development of the remaining lands. 

Process

The application will be considered under the Municipal Planning Strategy Amendment process.

Status

Staff have completed a report with proposed changes to the planning documents to allow development of a portion of the former Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children property toward Highway 7 and near Giberson Drive. View this report. On Thursday, March 25, 2021, Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council recommended that Regional Council give the application First Reading, schedule a public hearing and approve the proposed changes to the planning documents for Case 21875. Citizens are invited to participate in a public hearing to share their feedback on the proposal before Regional Council decides to approve or refuse the proposal. A virtual public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. 

This meeting will occur in a virtual setting and attending in person is not possible. The virtual public hearing will be webcast and may be viewed online.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, written submissions are welcomed and encouraged in advanced of the hearing itself. These submissions are distributed to all Councillors and considered at the time of their decision. Written submissions may be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk by e-mail; by fax, 902-490-4208; or by mail, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3A5. Written submissions must be received by the Municipal Clerk’s office as early as possible and not later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Please allow sufficient time for delivery given slower than typical mail delivery times during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Individuals seeking to speak at the hearing may contact the Municipal Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2021 to be added to the speakers list to speak by telephone. We encourage all residents who have any desire to speak at the meeting to ask to have their name added to the list. Individuals who do not want to speak at a later time may ask to have their name removed from the speakers list.

To be placed on the speakers list:
• Send an email; or
• Call and leave a voicemail at 902.490.4210; or
• Send a fax to the clerk at 902.490.4208.

In your message, please include the meeting body, the planning Case number (Case 21875) or civic address, in addition to your name, community of residence, email address, and telephone number. Should you have questions about the process of the virtual public hearing, please contact the Municipal Clerks Office or call 902.490.4210.

An online live public information meeting was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Presentations were given about the proposal. Municipal staff and the applicant were in attendance to answer questions and receive feedback.

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by municipal staff to properly evaluate the application. View the plans and documents submitted by the applicant in support of their proposal.  For more information visit Shape Your City Halifax or contact the planner below.