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 Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021
Construction tender awarded for Cogswell District project
Today, Regional Council awarded the construction tender for the Cogswell District project to Dexter Construction Limited in the amount of $95,663,633.52 (net HST). The project will now enter the pre-construction phase, which is expected to last three months. Once pre-construction activities are completed, equipment and labour will be fully mobilized. The project is scheduled to begin the construction phase in winter 2022.
The proposed construction plan aligns with many of Council’s previously approved policy directives, including:
• Halifax Economic Growth Plan (2016-2021)
• Integrated Mobility Plan
• Halifax Transit’s Moving Forward Together Plan
• Regional Plan
• Centre Plan
• Urban Forestry Master Plan
• HalifACT
• Halifax COVID-19 Economic Response & Recovery Plan
The Cogswell District is the largest city-building project in the history of the municipality. It is designed to create a new neighbourhood that connects downtown with the north end and waterfront, creating a stronger, more inclusive network of communities. The approved design plan, based on significant public engagement, incorporates public space design elements including accessibility, parks and open spaces, multi-use paths, an active transportation network, streetscapes, and a transit hub.
For more information, read the staff report and visit our project page.
By-law respecting immobilization of vehicles passes second reading
The Halifax Regional Council adopted the second reading of proposed by-law V200 – in regards to vehicle immobilization.
Once approved, this by-law will require that vehicle immobilization staff be appointed as special constables by the Province of Nova Scotia. This would allow staff to issue parking infraction tickets for private property violations. If the vehicle owner arrives before staff have a chance to immobilize the vehicle, the vehicle owner will still have a ticket for the violation. This also provides added benefit to the company business model by offering more options to clients
Further, this by-law will also set the maximum booting release fee to $100 – a decrease from the current fee of $115.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Construction on the West Bedford Park & Ride continues
The West Bedford Park & Ride, located on Innovation Drive, is one step closer to completion. As identified in the Halifax Transit Moving Forward Together Plan, this initiative will support the increasing transit ridership in a rapidly growing community.
The awarded tender includes developing a concrete bus platform and bus bays, paving the parking lot, installing signage and electronic message boards, conducting landscaping, as well as developing additional passenger amenities such as heated passenger shelters and bike shelters.
Park & Ride facilities complement transit service by providing an option for those who would like to travel by transit, but need a vehicle to complete a portion of their trip. The West Bedford Park & Ride’s location allows those near the location to access transit using the active transportation infrastructure and local transit routes.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Reducing litter in public spaces
The municipality continues to maintain hundreds of litter receptacles at sports fields, parks and Halifax Transit stops. Several departments are responsible for maintaining the receptacles, which ensures municipal property remains safe, clean, and enjoyable for residents. The Public Space Litter Receptacle Criteria offers common guidelines for departments to follow in the installation and servicing of receptacles.
In addition to the ongoing municipal campaigns and litter clean-up programs, the municipality will publish a map identifying the location of receptacles to increase public awareness of the placement criteria and service standards for litter receptacles
In an effort to ensure the continued cleanliness of municipal property, the municipality will also continue purchasing lids for all 45-gallon litter drums – this will address concerns of blowing litter and animal access.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Municipality recognizes Plastic Pollution Resolution
The Plastic Pollution Resolution has been endorsed by Regional Council, as presented by the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee.
Specifically, this resolution recognizes the integrated management plan for plastics proposed by the federal government, which includes banning select single-use plastic items and establishing a minimum requirement for recycled plastic content in new plastic products.
The Resolution also urges the federal government to, among other actions, work with municipalities to explore reuse systems to replace single-use plastic products.
This resolution was discussed by the Committee in September 2021, where the need for community engagement was determined.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Highlights of recent Regional Council decisions
Municipality investing $500,000 towards emergency accommodations for those experiencing homelessness
The municipality will be investing up to $500,000 towards a range of emergency accommodations for those experiencing homelessness.
Immediate steps are being taken to identify underutilized or surplus municipally-owned properties and facilities that can be retrofitted into safe short-term accommodations for people who are unhoused. The goal is to increase the inventory of temporary accommodations as soon as possible.
Building upon collaboration efforts to date, the municipality will work closely with community-based service providers and the Province of Nova Scotia to advance these efforts and ensure social services are available as part of a holistic approach to addressing homelessness.
The funding commitment will also be used to leverage those opportunities that can have the most immediate impact — including funding new positions within the service delivery organizations to make things happen on the ground and equipping community outreach workers with the financial resources required to secure temporary accommodations within hotels that will accept requests.
Further information on the status of efforts will be provided in September, with regular public updates provided moving forward.
For more information visit the Homelessness and Homeless Encampments webpage.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Municipality to receive immediate funding for affordable housing
The Halifax Regional Municipality will enter into the Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to receive nearly $13 million dollars to create a minimum of 43 units of new permanent, affordable housing.
This is the second round of the federal government program, as well as the second time the municipality has been identified for immediate funding. Similar to the first round in October 2020 when the program was first launched, the funds will be directed to areas where chronic homelessness is most prevalent.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Halifax Forum to be redeveloped in support of Halifax Forum Community Association
The Halifax Forum will be re-developed and expanded in support of the program needs from the Halifax Forum Community Association.
This proposed redevelopment will include two ice pads, concourse between ice pads, multipurpose space, parking, and outdoor recreation space – all while maintaining the Forum’s heritage characteristics.
The Halifax Forum Community Association was engaged to determine building program needs for a multipurpose space, to provide input into the approach for the market sounding, and to contribute to the overall site plan options for the Forum complex. Additional community consultation will occur in partnership with the Halifax Forum Community Association to finalize the site plan.
To support the redevelopment project and off-set project costs, municipal staff, in partnership with the Halifax Forum Community Association, will also explore the private development interests of the north portion of the site (corner of Young and Windsor Streets). Recommendations will be based on public feedback and will be presented to Regional Council for consideration.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Council passes first reading of keeping of chickens
Council has passed the first reading of a motion that would allow residents to keep of adult, egg-laying female chickens as an accessory residential use. This will increase access to food, food skills and connections to food’s origins. The proposed regulations will also include standards to ensure safety and compatibility with neighborhoods norms, such as providing a setback from property lines and a limit on the number of egg-laying fowl permitted.
Public education, including a voluntary registration program supporting municipal tracking of backyard hens and providing information in case of public health issue, will also accompany these new regulations.
Significant consultation, including an online questionnaire, correspondence, and feedback from key stakeholders, contributed to this decision.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.