Administrative Order 48 — Respecting Community Councils — full text

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot b5c0a172b568 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NUMBER 48 RESPECTING THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS BE IT RESOLVED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER of the Council of the Halifax Regional Municipality as follows: Short Title 1. This Administrative Order may be cited as Administrative Order Number 48, the Community Council Administrative Order. Interpretation 1A. In this Administrative Order, (a) "Charter" means Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, 2008, SNS, c. 39, as amended. Community Councils 2. There is hereby established the following Community Councils: (a) the North West Community Council for the area of the Halifax Regional Municipality that on the 5th day of November 2024 is included in: i) polling district 1, Waverley - Fall River - Musquodoboit Valley; ii) polling district 13, Prospect Road - St. Margarets - Hubley; iii) polling district 14, Hammonds Plains - Upper Hammonds Plains - Lucasville - Middle & Upper Sackville; iv) polling district 15, Lower Sackville - Beaver Bank; and v) polling district 16, Bedford - Wentworth; (b) the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council for the area of the Halifax Regional Municipality that on the 5th day of November 2024 is included in: i) polling district 2, Lawrencetown - The Lakes -Chezzetcook - Eastern Shore; ii) polling district 3, Dartmouth South - Woodside - Eastern Passage; iii) polling district 4, Cole Harbour - Preston - Lake Loon - Waverly - Cherry Brook; iv) polling district 5, Dartmouth Centre; and v) polling district 6, Dartmouth East - Burnside; (c) the Halifax and West Community Council for the area of the Halifax Regional Municipality that on the 5th day of November 2024 is included in: i) polling district 7, Halifax South Downtown; ii) polling district 8, Halifax Peninsula North; iii) polling district 9, Halifax West Armdale; iv) polling district 10, Halifax - Bedford Basin West; v) polling district 11, Spryfield - Sambro Loop; and vi) polling district 12, Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood with the exception of the Downtown Halifax area of the Halifax Regional Municipality as shown on Schedule A1; and (d) the Regional Centre Community Council for the area of the Halifax Regional Municipality that on the 5th day of November 2024 is included in: ia) polling district 3, Dartmouth South - Woodside - Eastern Passage, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A; i) polling district 5, Dartmouth Centre, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A; ii) polling district 6, Dartmouth East - Burnside, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A; iii) polling district 7, Halifax South Downtown, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A; iv) polling district 8, Halifax Peninsula North, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A; and v) polling district 9, Halifax West Armdale, for those shaded areas of the district shown as the Regional Centre Community Council Area on Schedule 4A. Powers 3. (1) Repealed. (1A) Repealed. (1B) Repealed. (1C) Repealed. (1D) Repealed. (1E) Repealed. (1F) Repealed. (1G) Repealed. (2) Repealed. (3) A Community Council shall create no more than two planning advisory committees. (4) If a Community Council creates a planning advisory committee, the terms of reference for the planning advisory committee be shall be as set out in Schedule 3 of this Administrative Order. (5) Nothing in this section prevents a Community Council from: (a) limiting or adding to the duties of a planning advisory committee from those duties prescribed by section 4 of Schedule 3 of this Administrative Order; or (b) specifying the number of community citizens that must be appointed to a planning advisory committee from a specified District or portion of a District. (6) Where a planning advisory committee holds a public meeting in accordance with Schedule 3, staff shall lead the meeting, and where such meeting is held as part of a Public Participation Program, the required notice for that meeting shall be as set out in the Public Participation Administrative Order. North West Community Council 3A. (1) The North West Community Council may: (a) in accordance with subsection 31(2) of the Charter, approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community , except for those shaded areas shown on Schedule 5 as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area; (b) in accordance with subsection 30(3) of the Charter, amend a land use by-law applicable to their community, except for those shaded areas shown on Schedule 5 as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area; and (c) in accordance with subsection 30(4) of the Charter, hear an appeal from the: (i) approval or refusal to approve a site-plan, and (ii) the granting or refusal of a variance applicable to property within their community, except for properties within those shaded areas shown on Schedule 5 as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (2) Section 29 of the Charter respecting area rates applies to the North West Community Council. (3) In accordance with subsection 30(2) of the Charter, the North West Community Council may appoint no more than two planning advisory committees. Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council 3B. (1) The Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council may: (a) in accordance with subsections 31(2) of the Charter, approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community, except for those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area; and (b) in accordance with subsection 30(3) of the Charter, amend a land use by-law applicable to their community, except for: (i) those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6B as being within the Regional Centre Community Council Area; and (ii) those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (1A) For greater certainty, the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council may approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community for those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6B as being within the Regional Centre Community Council Area. (2) In accordance with subsection 30(4) of the Charter, the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council may hear an appeal from the: (a) approval or refusal to approve a site-plan; and (b) the granting or refusal of a variance, applicable to property within their community, except for properties within those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6B as being within the Regional Centre Community Council Area or shown on Schedule 6A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (3) Section 29 of the Charter respecting area rates applies to the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council. (4) In accordance with subsection 30(2) of the Charter, the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council may appoint no more than two planning advisory committees. Halifax and West Community Council 3C. (1) The Halifax and West Community Council may (a) in accordance with subsections 31(2) of the Charter, approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community, except for: (i) those shaded shown on Schedule 7B as the Downtown Halifax Planning Area; and (ii) those shaded areas shown on Schedule 7A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (b) In accordance with subsection 30(3) of the Charter, amend a land use by-law applicable to their community, except for: (i) those shaded shown on Schedule 7B as the Downtown Halifax Planning Area; (ii) those shaded areas shown on Schedule 7B as being with the Regional Centre Community Council Area; and (iii) those shaded areas shown on Schedule 7A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (1A) For greater certainty, the Halifax and West Community Council may approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community for those shaded areas shown on Schedule 7B as being within the Regional Centre Community Council Area. (2) In accordance with subsection 30(4) of the Charter, the Halifax and West Community Council may hear an appeal from the (a) approval or refusal to approve a site-plan, and (b) the granting or refusal of a variance, applicable to property within their community, except for properties within those shaded areas shown on Schedule 6B as being within the Downtown Halifax Planning area, shown on Schedule 6B as being within the Regional Centre Community Council Area, or shown on Schedule 6A as being within the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area. (3) Section 29 of the Charter respecting area rates applies to the Halifax and West Community Council. (4) In accordance with subsection 30(2) of the Charter, the Halifax and West Community Council may appoint no more than two planning advisory committees. Regional Centre Community Council 3D. (1) The Regional Centre Community Council may (a) in accordance with subsection 30(3) of the Charter, amend a land use by-law applicable to their community; and (b) hear an appeal from the: (i) approval or refusal to approve a site-plan, and (ii) the granting or refusal of a variance applicable to property within their community. (2) For greater certainty. the Regional Centre Community Council may not approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to their community. (3) In accordance with subsection 30(2) of the Charter, the Regional Centre Community Council may appoint no more than two planning advisory committees. Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area 3E. For greater certainty, the Council shall retain the authority to (a) approve a development agreement, or an amendment to a development agreement, applicable to those shaded areas shown as the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area on Schedules 5, 6A, and 7A; (b) amend a land use bylaw applicable to those shaded areas shown as the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area on Schedules 5, 6A, and 7A. (c) hear an appeal from the approval or refusal to approve a site-plan applicable to property within those shaded areas shown as the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area on Schedules 5, 6A, and 7A; and (d) hear an appeal from the approval or refusal to approve a variance applicable to property within those shaded areas shown as the Suburban Housing Accelerator Planning Area on Schedules 5, 6A, and 7A. Financial Consequences 4. A Community Council shall not pass any resolution or make any decision which could potentially result in financial consequences for the Municipality which are contrary to those which would result from a previous decision of the Regional Council, unless and until the financial consequences are presented to the Regional Council and approved by it. Policies and Procedures 5. Repealed. Effective Date 6. This Administrative Order comes into force December 3, 2012. Done and passed in Council this 27th day of November, A.D. 2012. MAYOR MUNICIPAL CLERK I, Cathy Mellett, Municipal Clerk of Halifax Regional Municipality, hereby certify that the above noted Administrative Order was passed at a meeting of Halifax Regional Council held on November 27, 2012. Cathy Mellett, Municipal Clerk SCHEDULE 1 Repealed. SCHEDULE A1 SCHEDULE 2 Repealed. SCHEDULE 3 TERMS OF REFERENCE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE Serving Polling Districts , and (and the portion of Districts and (map attached)) incorporated into the Community Council. 1. Membership  Up to 2 Community Council Members  Up to 8 community citizens 2. Appointment  Term of Appointment - Councillor: 1 year - Residents: 2 years  Appointments shall be made by the Community Council.  The Committee shall annually elect from its non-council members a Chair and Vice-Chair. 3. Re-appointment of Members  Citizen members may be appointed for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.  Citizen members may be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive terms when there are no other interested and qualified candidates. 4. Legislated Duties  To advise the Community Council with respect to the preparation or amendment of planning documents within or affecting (all or portions of) Polling Districts , and incorporated into the Community Council. The term "planning documents" shall be as defined in clause m of section 209 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.  To advise the Community Council with respect to planning matters generally within or affecting (all or portions of) Polling Districts , , and incorporated into the Community Council. The term "planning matters" means any discretionary decision of Community Council related to the use and development of land.  Hold public meetings associated with municipal planning strategy amendments as deemed necessary. 5. Additional Duties  As may be directed by Community Council. 6. Meetings  The Planning Advisory Committee shall meet at least once per month or as required to conduct business of the Committee. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Chair in consultation with staff.  The quorum for regular meetings shall be in accordance with Section 74 of Administrative Order One, the Procedure of Council Administrative Order, Quorum of Committee.  Any member of the Committee who fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings, without having been excused by the Committee shall vacate the member`s seat in accordance with subsection 3 of section 68 of Administrative Order One, the Procedure of Council Administrative Order, and subsection 1 of section 22 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.  All Planning Advisory Committee meetings shall be open to the public, or as allowed under Part VII Section 218 (1) of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter. 7. Procedure Meeting procedures shall be governed by the HRM Administrative Order One, the Procedure of Council Administrative Order, as it relates to Committee Procedures. 8. Remuneration Remuneration shall be paid related to travel for attendance at meetings at rates established by Halifax Regional Municipality. 9. Resignation A member may resign from the Committee at any time in accordance with Section 68 of Administrative Order One, the Procedure of Council Administrative Order, Vacating of Position on Committee. SCHEDULE 4 Repealed SCHEDULE 4A SCHEDULE 5 SCHEDULE 6A SCHEDULE 6B SCHEDULE 7A SCHEDULE 7B Notice of Motion: November 13, 2012 Approval: November 27, 2012 Effective Date: December 3, 2012 Amendment # 1 Name Change Notice of Motion: December 11, 2012 Approval: January 15, 2013 Amendment # 2 Planning Advisory Committees Notice of Motion: February 12, 2013 Approval: February 19, 2013 Amendment # 3 Name Change for Districts 7, 8 & 9 Notice of Motion: May 13, 2014 Approval: May 20, 2014 Amendment # 4 Repeal Schedule 2 Notice of Motion: June 2, 2015 Approval: November 10, 2015 Amendment # 5 Renaming District 12 Notice of Motion: April 26, 2016 Approval: May 10, 2016 Amendment # 6 Amendments to section 3 to create Regional Centre Community Council Adding subsections 3(1A), (1B), (1C), (1D), (1E), (1F), (1G) Notice of Motion: November 12, 2019 Approval: December 3, 2019 Amendment #7 Amended clause 2(c), subclauses 2d(i),(ii),(iii),(iv), and (v) Repealed 3(1), (1A), (1B), (1C), (1D), (1E), (1F), and (1G), Schedules 1, and 4 Added sections 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, Schedules A1, and 4A Notice of Motion: December 14, 2021, March 22, 2022 Approval: January 11, 2022, April 5, 2022 Amendment # 8 Addition of section 3 (6) Notice of Motion: April 4, 2023 Approval: June 20, 2023 Effective: October 13, 2023 Amendment # 9 Amended subclauses 2(a)(ii), 2(a)(iii), 2(a)(iv), 2(b)(i), 2(b)(ii), 2(b)(iii), 2(b)(v), 2(c)(v) and 2(d)(ii) to rename districts. Notice of Motion: July 9, 2024 Approval: August 6, 2024 Effective: August 6, 2024 Amendment # 10 Amended clauses 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), subsections 3A(1)(a), 3A(1)(b), 3B(1)(a), 3B(1)(b), 3B(2), 3C(1)(a), 3C(1)(b), 3C(2), 3D(1), & subclause 3A(1)(c)(ii) Adding section 3E, subsections 3B(1A), 3C(1A), subclauses 2(d)(ia), 3B(1)(b)(i), 3B(1)(b)(ii), 3C(1)(a)(i), 3C(1)(a)(ii), 3C(1)(b)(i), 3C(1)(b)(ii), 3C(1)(b)(iii), & Schedules 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B Replacing Schedule A1 & Schedule 4A Notice of Motion: August 6, 2024 Approval: October 1, 2024 Effective: November 5, 2024 Amendment # 11 Amended Schedules 5, 6A, 6B, and 7B Replacing Schedule 7A Notice of Motion: January 14, 2025 Approval: March 18, 2025