N.S. government starts plans to develop nearly 20K residential units in Bedford, Halifax

Nova Scotia has given approval for the future development of up to 19,500 residential units in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Nova Scotia Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc has asked the Halifax Regional Municipality to start bylaw work to enable the development of up to 19,500 residential units in Bedford and Halifax.

The municipality recently completed studies for two “special planning areas”: Sandy Lake in Bedford and the Highway 102 west corridor in Halifax. There are currently 16 special planning areas in the municipality that represent more than 60,000 proposed housing units.

Nova Scotia gave $2.3 million to the municipality in 2022 to conduct environmental and other studies on these areas to inform future developments.

The study describes the Sandy Lake area as having 400 hectares of land capable of hosting 6,000 units. The Highway 102 west corridor is roughly 255 hectares and could house 11,500 units.

Both sites were identified for potential development in 2006.

“With thoughtful, well-informed planning, we can create vibrant, sustainable communities that will provide the homes Nova Scotians need and help protect the environment for all to enjoy,” said LeBlanc in a news release. “Now that these studies are complete, HRM can begin the necessary planning work to support future development in these areas.”

LeBlanc also approved a development agreement for 1,040 residential units in 10 buildings in the Southdale-Mount Hope special planning area in Dartmouth.

So far 15 development agreements have been reached in eight of the special planning areas, representing 10,205 units and a 48-bed long-term care facility.

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