Highlighted below are a few recent decisions by Regional Council that reflect steps being taken by the municipality to make a difference in the Halifax region. For more details regarding all matters deliberated by Council and the direction given to municipal staff, please see the action summaries which are posted to the online meeting agendas within one business day as well as the meeting minutes which are posted online once approved by Regional Council.
Highlights from April 16, 2019
New considerations for the Halifax Active Transportation Priorities Plan
Regional Council has approved to add the Willow Street Local Street Bikeway and specified elements of the Cole Harbour Basin Open Space Plan as candidate routes for future active transportation (AT) infrastructure.
Making Connections: The 2014-19 Halifax Active Transportation Priorities Plan (AT Plan) describes the approach that the municipality is using to build and connect walking and bicycling facilities. It identifies candidate corridors for infrastructure such as bike lanes and AT greenways, which are then planned and implemented once approved.
Since the AT plan was approved in 2014, several new candidate routes have been identified through project planning and community planning processes.
Read the staff report for more information.
Regional Council approves 2019-20 municipal budget
Regional Council approved 793.7-million in total municipal expenditures and a capital plan of $164-million as part of the 2019-20 municipal budget.
The average single-family home tax bill will increase by $43, or 2.3 per cent, while debt will continue to decline and should be as low as $236-million in 2019-20.
In approving the 2019-20 budget, Regional Council is setting a course to support growth in municipal communities going forward through responsible investment – further positioning our region for continued success.
For more information, review the budget and business plans.
Major streetscaping project for Spring Garden Road
Regional Council has approved significant changes to Spring Garden Road between Queen and South Park streets. The goals of this project include improving the corridor for pedestrians and transit as well as beautifying the public realm. Drawing from extensive public engagement and principles identified in the Downtown Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy, the Economic Growth Plan and the Integrated Mobility Plan, the project will enhance the way residents and visitors interact with streetscape.
Improvements include a major narrowing of the roadway to significantly increase the area of sidewalk available for walking, rolling and placemaking elements such as trees, public art and street furniture. For traffic operations, changes include a variety of left turn restrictions for vehicle traffic to help maintain movement along the corridor. Reconstruction work is targeted to begin in 2020.
For more information, read the staff report or visit Shape Your City.
A new deal with Halifax Partnership to support economic growth
The Halifax Partnership has been a key player in growing the municipal economy. Through programs such as the Connector Program and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, they are uniquely positioned to connect recent graduates with the private sector and job opportunities.
Today, Regional Council moved to add the Halifax Partnership to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – currently signed with Halifax-area universities and the Nova Scotia Community College – that recognizes the commitment to sharing information and mutually supporting initiatives that contribute to the quality of life in the municipality. Council also approved the recommendation to include innovation as an identified area of focus for the MOU in 2018-2020.
For more information, read the staff report.
Grants awarded for heritage property preservation
Twenty-two heritage properties will receive funding through the Heritage Incentive Program. This annual grant funding program supports the conservation, preservation and promotion of municipally-registered heritage properties located throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality.
These properties will use this funding for roof repairs, window installations and painting to uphold their original historic nature.
Read the staff report for more information.
Previous highlights of recent Council decisions
Keeping residents connected with public wi-fi
After the implementation of free public wi-fi at Grand Parade and the Dartmouth and Halifax waterfronts in 2017, Regional Council has moved to install routers at the Alderney Ferry Terminal, the Halifax Ferry Terminal, the Lacewood Bus Terminal, the Bridge Bus Terminal, the Halifax Public Gardens (Horticultural Hall and Horticultural Plaza area) and the Emera Oval pavilion.
Additionally, a pilot program in partnership with the Halifax Public Libraries will be launched for wi-fi hotspots on up to 20 transit buses to gauge rider interest and usage. This pilot program will inform the future of wi-fi hotspots on transit busses across the municipality.
Read the staff reports on the expansion of the Halifax public wi-fi and onboard wi-fi for Halifax Transit for more information.
Upgrades coming to the Terence Bay Community Hall
Regional Council has approved $75,000 in funding to the Terence Bay Community Hall Association to help with needed upgrades to the hall at 80 Sandy Cove Road in Terence Bay.
These changes may include a septic system replacement, driveway re-paving and accessibility upgrades to the facility. As part of the decision, an information report will come at a later date as to how the money is spent.
For more information, read the staff report.
Possible amendments to planning strategy for Joseph Howe Drive
A proposal for a 12-story mixed-use development along Joseph Howe Drive could lead to possible amendments in the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and the Halifax Mainland Use By-law (LUB) as part of the Plan Dutch Village Road area.
These possible minor adjustments for height increases are in alignment with the Downtown Halifax MPS, the proposed Centre Plan and the Regional Plan, and will not increase the number of building stories but will allow for modern building elements, such as landscaped areas on the rooftops.
For more information, read the staff report.
Subdivision of cemetery and school land for less than market value
It was recently discovered that the St. James United Church Cemetery had encroached for many years onto the Sambro Elementary school property. This included the cemetery’s main gate, a community veterans’ memorial, some graves and headstones.
Regional Council has moved to subdivide and sell the land to the St. James United Church of Canada for the less than market value of $1.00
Read the staff report for more information.
Fly-past request for the Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony
Council has moved to grant permission for the Canadian Armed Forces to fly over the Sailors’ Memorial in Point Pleasant Park on May 5, 2019 as part of the Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest, continuous military campaign in World War II running from 1939 to the end of the war in 1945. Known as the largest and most complex naval battle in history, the Royal Canadian Navy was at the centre of this battle along with the allied forces.
Read the correspondence report for more information.