PLANAPP 2026-00158 – Seton Ridge Development

Updated:

Request

A request by Fathom Studio, on behalf of the property owners, requesting substantive amendments to the existing development agreements known as Seton Ridge, at the former Motherhouse Lands, Bedford Highway, Halifax.

Proposal

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Substantive amendments are being proposed to the existing Development Agreements for the 73-acre site commonly known as Seton Ridge (PIDs 00137802, 41282724, and 41469602). The current agreement permits the development of a high-density, mixed-use neighbourhood within Mainland North.

The key elements of the proposal include:

  • Updates to the Development Agreements to permit additional building height and revised design elements (such as stepbacks), aligning the project with updated building typology definitions and standards introduced through the  Housing Accelerator Fund amendments, along with other built form refinements. These changes are proposed for both the Shannex and the Southwest portions of the development;
  • Changes to the design of a local road connection between the Southwest lands and Shannex lands
  • An increase in residential density of approximately 1,000 units or 2,250 people.
    • This would bring the total permitted density from approximately 2,500 units (or 5,625 people) to approximately 3,500 units (or 7,875 people). 
    • Please note that density is regulated through the agreement by built form rather than by tracking individual units. Population density is estimated using Halifax Water’s standard assumption of 2.25 persons per unit.

The Development Plans (linked below) provide further detail on the proposal, including the project rationale, traffic impact analysis, servicing report, and building massing concepts.

Process

The application will be considered under the Substantive Development Agreement Amendment process.

Status

Public engagement for this planning application has now concluded.

Thank you to everyone who participated by completing the survey, attending the open house, and providing feedback throughout the engagement process. We appreciate the time and input shared by community members and interested parties. A feedback summary can be found here: Public Engagement Summary

Following public engagement, municipal staff will continue their detailed analysis of the proposal and ongoing discussions with the applicant. Any updates or revisions to the proposal, as well as key project milestones, will be posted on this webpage as they become available.

Thank you for your interest and participation in this project.
 

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by HRM staff to properly evaluate the application. The documents are also available for review at the Planning Applications office at 5251 Duke Street, Halifax, Suite 300.

A - Rationale Letter/Scope of changes

B – Massing Diagrams

C – Servicing Report

D -Traffic Impact Statement

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

Megan Backos

Planner III

Development Services

Telephone: 902.478.9725

Mailing Address

HRM Planning Applications

PO Box: 1749,

Halifax,

Nova Scotia,

B3J 3A5

Attention: Megan Backos