Case 21996- 18 Scotia Drive, Bedford

Request

HRM Corporate Real Estate is requesting to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-law (LUB) for Bedford to allow low-density residential uses (single-unit and two-unit dwellings) on a large portion of 18 Scotia Drive, Bedford. This proposal cannot be considered under existing MPS policies.

Background

18 Scotia Drive was home to the Sunnyside Elementary School (Waverley Road Site) from 1952 to 2012 before the school was closed by the Halifax Regional School Board. The subject site was conveyed to HRM in 2014. After obtaining the subject site, Regional Council declared the subject site as surplus, in accordance with Administrative Order 50, which guides the disposal of surplus real property.

Subsequently in 2015, Regional Council asked that the property be re-assessed to determine if a portion of the subject site should be retained as open space. On February 16, 2016, Regional Council passed a motion declaring that:
•    A southern portion of the lands be retained for a small pocket park; 
•    A portion of the lands, opposite of the Bedford By-pass, be retained for the Bedford Educational Centre soccer field;  and 
•    The Balance of the lands be declared surplus, in accordance with Regional Council’s previous motion. 

 The school was demolished in 2017.
 

Proposal

HRM Corporate Real Estate’s desire is to re-designate the subject site from the Institutional Designation to the Residential Designation and re-zone the subject site from the Institutional (SI) Zone to the Residential Two Dwelling Unit (RTU) Zone, so that a large portion of the site can be used for low-density residential dwellings. If approved, HRM Corporate Real Estate will attempt to sell the subject site to a private developer (at market value) who could subsequently extend Scotia Drive, subdivide lots, and develop one and/or two-unit dwellings.

Process

The application is a request for new planning policy. Staff are reviewing the application, and will prepare a recommendation for Regional Council to consider. Before Regional Council can make any decision about the proposal, a public information meeting and a public hearing shall be held. 

Additional information on process can be found in staff’s initiation report to Regional Council.
 

Status

On November 26, 2019, Regional Council initiated a process to consider site-specific amendments to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to permit the proposal. Planning staff are undertaking a detailed review of the proposal, in partnership with other municipal teams and external partners. 

The North West Planning Advisory Committee hosted a public information meeting (PIM) on February 24, 2020 at the Bedford Education Centre, Bedford. At this meeting, staff and the applicant presented, answered questions and received feedback. View the meeting minutes. 

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by municipal staff to properly evaluate the application. The documents are also available for review at the Planning Applications office at 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth.  The details of this application may change before consideration or approval by Regional Council.