Halifax approves zoning changes, clearing the way for thousands of new housing units
Council unanimously approved the changes following two days of public hearings
Halifax council has voted unanimously to approve a slew of zoning changes following a two-day public hearing and hours of debate.
Councillors heard from dozens of people on Tuesday and Wednesday about the slew of new rules stemming from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The city received $79 million from Ottawa last year to fast-track housing development.
During debate Thursday, councillors spoke about the need for housing in the municipality while some raised issues with the speed at which the new housing plan has been developed.
The plan allows four housing units on a lot within the service boundary, and up to eight units a lot, depending on lot size, in most residential areas of the urban core. Taller buildings up to seven or nine storeys will be allowed on key transit routes, heritage areas will be expanded or created, and dozens of specific developments will also be approved.
"We have to make decisions that we think are in the best interest of the municipality but the years will tell us how we've done," said Mayor Mike Savage after the vote.
Need for housing
During debate councillors spoke about younger members of the community who showed up in support of the changes.
"My own adult kids say to me during Sunday dinner, 'Will there be a space for me to live in?'" said Coun. Waye Mason of Halifax South Downtown.
"We need to respond in a responsive and compassionate way."
Mason acknowledged many who spoke in opposition to the plan this week were from his district. However, he said the majority of his constituents are not against the zoning changes.
"What we're doing is not destroying our city. It is actually creating opportunity for more people to be part of our city. Sure, there's going to be growing pains, but that's with anything," said Coun. Lindell Smith of Halifax Peninsula North.
However, some councillors did express concern over the pace at which the changes have been developed. The federal funding is contingent on the changes being in place by July 1.
"There's definitely concern on my part that this is being rushed," said Coun. Patty Cuttell of Spryfield-Sambro Loop-Prospect Road.
"This idea that we're kind of under the gun, I think that further diminishes public trust in what we do here."
Other members of council highlighted adjustments that were made to the plan.
"If we're gonna turn this down today, where do we go from here to address this issue?" said Coun. Tony Mancini of Harbourview-Burnside-Dartmouth East. "Pausing, more engagement, still doesn't give us an action plan."
The changes allow for potentially more than 200,000 new housing units to be built in the coming years, with about 135,000 in suburban areas of the municipality and 70,700 in the urban centre.
Halifax was the second-fastest growing urban region in the country in 2022 with a population growth of 14 per cent over the past five years.
"Cities don't really get to choose the exact number of people they want, but I want people to come here," said Savage.
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