Case 23405 - Sackville Plan Area – Accessory Building Zoning Review

Request

On December 1, 2020, North West Community Council put forward a motion to consider increasing the maximum permitted size of accessory buildings within the Sackville Community Plan Area. 

On June 14, 2021, North West Community Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to return to North West Community Council With amendments to the Sackville Lands Use By-Law to allow for larger maximum footprint for accessory structures on large lots. 

At this point, staff are seeking to engage the Community by providing background information, explaining the changes being considered, and gathering comments and feedback.

Background
Some areas of the Sackville Plan Area were developed in a typical suburban style pattern, with small lots connected to central water and sewer services. Other parts of the Plan Area were developed before central services were available, so these tend to have a more rural development pattern, with large lots and lots of space between houses. The differences in how these areas developed has resulted in some semi-rural areas having to follow the same rules that apply in suburban or urban neighbourhoods. 

Proposal

To allow accessory buildings to have a maximum footprint size of 93 square metres (1000 square feet) on lots 3716 square metres (40,000 square feet) or greater, provided all other requirements of the Sackville Land Use By-Law are met.

The Sackville Land Use By-Law currently limits accessory buildings on residential lots to a maximum footprint of 67 square metres (750 square feet) and limits the height of the accessory building to 4.5 metres (15 feet). However, the height may be exceeded if the building is proposed on a lot that is greater than 3716 square metres (40,000 square feet) in size, which is roughly just under an acre or the size of a football field. The request from North West Community Council is to amend the Sackville Land Use By-Law to also allow larger accessory buildings on larger lots.

Process

This application will be considered under the Land Use By-Law Amendment process.

Status

March 28, 2023

NOTICE OF APPROVAL
NORTH WEST COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TAKE NOTICE THAT North West Community Council did, on Monday, March 27, 2023, approved changes to amend the Land Use By-law for Sackville To allow accessory buildings to have a maximum footprint size of 93 square metres (1000 square feet) on lots 3716 square metres (40,000 square feet) or greater, provided all other requirements of the Sackville Land Use By-Law are met. Any aggrieved person, the Provincial Director of Planning, or the Council of any adjoining municipality may, within fourteen days of the publishing of this notice on the HRM website, appeal to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (902.424.4448), in accordance with the provisions of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

This notice was posted to this site on March 28, 2023 in accordance with the requirements of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

Public engagement occurred during the months of July through October of 2022 in the form of an on-line survey that was posted on the shape your city Halifax website. 

Check out the Fact Sheet and the Sackville Residential Parcels Map for more information. Email planner Claire Tusz or call 902.430.0645 to share your feedback and ask questions.

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

View the Fact Sheet 
Sackville Residential Parcels Map
View the June 14, 2021 North West Community Council Meeting where staff presented the preliminary research on the zoning review (30:00-45:00)