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Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a public participation program for the planning
documents of the Town of Mahone Bay as required in the Municipal Government Act,
sections 204 and 204A.
Scope
This policy applies to the preparation, revision, and amendment of all planning
documents for the Town of Mahone Bay.
Definitions
1.
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:
a.
Planning Document means the Municipal Planning Strategy, Land-Use
Bylaw, development agreements, or Subdivision Bylaw
Terms
2.
Any proposed new or amended planning document will be shared with the public
at a regular or special meeting of Council.
3.
When Council directs staff to draft, review or update a planning document, staff
will arrange a Public Information Meeting about the proposal if the proposal
concerns a change to the zoning of a property or properties under the Land-Use
Bylaw, or a development agreement.
4.
The purpose of the Public Information Meeting(s) is to provide the public an
opportunity to provide initial comment, make suggestions, discuss, and receive
information about the proposal.
5.
The public can share their opinions, comments, or suggestions either verbally at
the Public Information Meeting or in writing from the day the meeting is
advertised until the is held.
6.
At least five (5) business days before the Public Information Meeting, a notice will
be published on the Town Website and social media. This notice will also be
forwarded to the Clerk of the abutting municipality; this notice will also be
forwarded to all property owners within 30m of the referenced property. When
possible, the Public Information Meeting will be advertised in the Town newsletter
and/or a newspaper circulated in the town, though failure to do so will not
invalidate the Meeting.
Public Participation in Planning Policy
7.
Staff will organize and lead the Public Information Meeting, and the staff person
preparing the planning document will attend. After the meeting, the staff person
will provide a report to a regular or special meeting of Council summarizing the
public feedback and providing recommendations based on the input received as
required. Council will resolve to refer this report to the Planning Advisory
Committee (PAC) for consideration; only on referral of such a report to PAC by
motion of Council will a meeting of the Committee be scheduled.
8.
For proposals where a Public Information Meeting is not required, a meeting of
the PAC will be scheduled, and staff will provide a report on the proposal to the
Committee for consideration.
9.
If Council refers a proposal or report on a Public Information Meeting to the PAC
for consideration recommendations will be provided to the Clerk by resolution of
the Committee, for inclusion on the agenda of a regular or special meeting of
Council.
10.
On receipt of recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee, Council
may direct staff to further revise the planning document under consideration,
repeating the process laid out herein with the presentation of this revised
document to a regular or special meeting of Council, or give first reading to the
document by resolution, triggering the scheduling of a Public Hearing in
accordance with Municipal Government Act, section 205.
Repeal
11. On the effective date of this policy, the Town of Mahone Bay Public Participation in
Planning Policy, dated February 28, 2019 is hereby repealed.
Clerk's Annotation for Official Policy Book
Date of notice to Council Members of Intent to Consider
(minimum 7 days notice) March 27, 2025
Date of Passage of Policy April 8, 2025
____________________________ ____________________
Town Clerk
Date