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MARCH 2016
BY-LAW 65
COMMUNITY PLAN
Grise Fiord Community Plan
March 2016
Page 1
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Purpose of the Plan
The purpose of the Grise Fiord Community Plan is to outline Council's policies for
managing the physical development of the Hamlet until 2035. The Community Plan was
created through a community consultation process and reflects the needs and desires of
the community. The Community Plan builds on previous plans, while incorporating new
policies to address the challenges, issues and needs identified by the community.
1.2
Goals of the Community Plan
Community Plan policies emerge from the values of a community and its vision of how it
would like to grow. The goals established for this Community Plan are:
1. To create a safe, healthy, functional and attractive community that reflects community
values and culture.
2. To promote the Plan as a tool for making effective and consistent decisions regarding
land use and development in the community.
3. To ensure an adequate supply of land for all types of uses to support the growth and
change in the community.
4. To build upon community values of participation and unity to support community
projects and local economic development.
5. To protect the natural beauty of "Nuna", by protecting viewpoints to the water, and
retaining waterfront and lakeshore areas for public uses and traditional activities.
1.3
Administration of the Plan
The Community Plan is enacted by By-law. Changes to the Plan can be made by
amending the By-law in accordance with the Nunavut Planning Act. The Community Plan
should be reviewed and updated every five years as required by the Nunavut Planning
Act. A Zoning By-law is also being enacted for the purpose of implementing regulations
based on the policies of the Community Plan. All development must follow the intent of the
Community Plan and Zoning By-law. The Community Plan includes Schedule 1 (Policy
Plan Text), Schedule 2 (Land Use & Zoning Map - Community View), and Schedule 3
(Land Use & Zoning Map - Municipal Boundary).
2
COMMUNITY GROWTH & PHASING POLICIES
At the time of preparation of this Plan, the population of Grise Fiord was approximately
130 people. This Plan is based on a future population of approximately 170 people by
2035, however this number may increase or decrease based on the influence of various
factors. These factors include economic development activity in the region, the natural
rate of population growth, and in-migration from other communities. It is estimated that an
additional 6 dwelling units will be required to meet the projected population growth, which
Grise Fiord Community Plan
March 2016
Page 2
can be accommodated on lands currently zoned for residential development. Sufficient
land is also available for industrial uses in a new subdivision. Some additional land for
community and commercial uses are required to accommodate future development. The
policies of Council are:
a) Provide for a designated land supply to meet the needs of a population of
approximately 170 people by 2035.
b) Identify sufficient land on the Community Plan to meet the needs of the
projected 2035 population.
c) Review the Community Plan in 5 years, in 2021, to re-assess actual rates of
growth and community needs.
d) Council will generally phase new community land development as follows:
i. Infill and redevelopment on vacant or underused lots within the built-up
area of the Hamlet;
ii. Development of vacant lots in new subdivisions.
e) Phasing of development may change without amendment to this Plan.
3
GENERAL POLICIES
The following policies of Council apply to all development in the Hamlet:
a) The development of lots shall be subject to the following lot development
policies:
i. Buildings shall be sited to respect setbacks identified in the Zoning By-
law.
ii. All service connections to buildings with trucked services shall be easily
accessed from the front yard on all lots and grouped together, where
possible.
iii. Building foundations should achieve an unobstructed gap of at least 0.8
metres between the ground and the underside of the building, wherever
possible, to reduce problems associated with snow drifting.
iv. Any building over 500 m2 in gross floor area shall consider potential
wind impacts on surrounding development. A wind study may be
required by the Development Officer.
v. Culverts are required and shall be installed across access driveways to
lots.
vi. On any portion of a lot where fill is introduced, drainage shall be
directed towards the public road. Exceptions may be made by the
Development Officer. Where possible, drainage ditches shall not be
located in utility rights-of-way or easements.
vii. Road widenings may be obtained, as required, at the time of
development or redevelopment of a lot in situations where the road
right-of-way is less than 16 metres wide.
b) Utilities or communication facilities shall be permitted in any land use
designation. Other than designated rights-of-way or easements for utility or
communication lines, easements alongside roadways, marked between the
edge of the roadway and lot lines, will be used for distribution lines, with a
minimum clearance, as specified in the Utility Corporation's Joint Use
Agreement.
Grise Fiord Community Plan
March 2016
Page 3
c) The Hamlet will pile snow in locations to minimize downwind snow drifting and
where spring melt run-off can be properly channelled to drainage ditches or
waterbodies.
d) The Hamlet shall avoid piling snow within 30.5 metres (100 feet) of any
watercourse.
e) The Hamlet shall protect any cemeteries and sites of archaeological,
ethnicographical, palaeontological or historical significance from disturbance.
Any development in or near such sites shall follow the Nunavut Archaeological
and Palaeontological Regulations, 2001 of the Nunavut Act (Canada).
f) The Hamlet shall encourage development that minimizes emissions from fossil
fuels, that are energy efficient and that consider alternative energy supply
technology.
g) The Hamlet shall work with the Nunavut Planning Commission to ensure that
the Community Plan and the future Nunavut Land Use Plan are compatible.
h) The Hamlet will seek opportunities to improve connectivity of walkways and
other transportation corridors, where possible, to maximize safety and
efficiency for users.
4
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
The following policies of Council shall guide Council's decision-making on issues of
development and land uses:
a) Adequate housing is fundamental to public health, and the social well-being of
the community. In addition to identifying new residential development areas,
Council will encourage and pursue the development of new homes in the
community.
b) The Hamlet will use new development and public spaces to celebrate Inuit
culture and language.
c) Council will actively pursue property standards with lessees and property
owners in the Hamlet to ensure that building stock, particularly housing stock,
is being fully utilized and maintained.
d) Due to capacity, safety, and need for more developable land, Council will
continue to actively pursue the relocation of the existing airport to the old
airport site east of the existing townsite.
e) Facilities for youth, including the retention / relocation of the existing Youth Hall
will be a priority for Council.
f) The Hamlet shall encourage development that minimizes emissions from fossil
fuels, that are energy efficient and that consider alternative energy supply
technology.
g) The Hamlet shall consider strategies to adapt to the future impacts of climate
change, such as locating development away from low-lying coastal areas and
protecting existing areas against erosion.
5
LAND USE DESIGNATION POLICIES
5.1
Residential
The Residential designation provides land for primarily residential uses, but also permits
other small-scale conditional uses subject to the approval of Council. The policies of
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March 2016
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Council are intended to maintain an adequate supply of land for residential development,
to build safe and liveable neighbourhoods, and to protect residential areas from
incompatible development. The policies of Council are:
a) The Residential designation will be used primarily for housing with all types of
dwellings permitted. Other related residential uses such as a group home, a
home occupation, or a bed and breakfast will be conditionally permitted.
b) Residential development will be phased so that a target minimum 3-year
supply of vacant surveyed land, or approximately 0.5 hectares of vacant
surveyed land, is available at any given time.
5.2
Community Use
The Community Use designation is intended to maintain an adequate supply of land for
commercial and community uses, preferably in significant and important locations so that
residents may enjoy easy access to public facilities and services. The policies of Council
are:
a) The Community Use designation will be used primarily for:
i. commercial uses, such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores, personal and
business services, and offices;
ii. public uses, such as community centres, churches, medical clinics,
schools, and other institutional or community uses; and
iii. government services.
b) Community facilities will be centrally located to ensure safe and convenient
access by residents.
c) Commercial facilities will be located along main roads, where possible, to
provide safe and convenient access by residents.
d) Residential uses will be permitted when located above a ground floor
commercial or community use.
e) Council will encourage the re-use or redevelopment of existing sites within the
built-up area of the Hamlet.
5.3
Open Space
The Open Space designation is intended to protect shoreline environments, maintain
access to the sea and to reserve open spaces within the built-up area for recreational
uses and cultural events. The policies of Council are:
a) The Open Space designation will be used primarily for parks, walking trails,
dog teams and other forms of passive recreation.
b) A playground should be located within 300 metres walking distance from any
residence in the community.
c) Unless otherwise noted, all Commissioner's Land forming part of the 100-foot
strip (30.5 metres) along the seashore measured from the ordinary high water
mark will be designated Open Space.
d) Generally no development is permitted within 30 metres from the normal high
water mark of any river or major creek. Council may consider the filling of a
Grise Fiord Community Plan
March 2016
Page 5
waterbody where it is needed for future development provided that the
appropriate approvals are obtained.
5.4
Industrial
The Industrial designation is intended to reserve land for economic development activities
and support job creation. The designation is also intended to reduce the negative effects
and dangers associated with industrial uses such as noise, dust, odours, truck travel and
the storage of potentially hazardous substances by concentrating these uses on the
periphery of the townsite. The policies of Council are:
a) Permitted uses in the Industrial designation will include all forms of
manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and storage uses. Permitted uses
will also include garages, power generation plants, and fuel storage.
b) Council will work with local businesses and government operations to identify
opportunities to relocate non-conforming industrial uses (e.g. garages,
warehouses, etc.) inside the village to the new industrial subdivision.
5.5
Transportation
The Transportation designation is intended to identify major transportation facilities, such
as marinas and airports, and to ensure their safe and efficient operation. The policies of
Council are:
a) The Transportation designation is intended primarily for transportation facilities,
including marine facilities, the airport, and associated air navigation
communications systems.
b) All development within the areas affected by the Grise Fiord Airport Zoning
Regulations shall comply with those regulations. Development applications
shall be referred to Nunavut Airports for review and approval where
development is proposed adjacent to the airport and/or where development
has the potential to interfere with airport operations.
c) All development within the 200-metre Influence Zone of the Non-Directional
Beacon (NDB) Communications Site, as shown on Schedule 2: Land Use &
Zoning Map - Community View, is subject to the approval of NAV CANADA.
5.6
Nuna
The Nuna designation applies to all unsurveyed land within the Municipal Boundary not
designated by another land use. It is intended to protect the natural beauty and cultural
resources of the land - 'Nuna' - while providing access for traditional, recreational and
tourism activities. The Nuna designation also permits mineral exploration, quarrying, and
local infrastructure projects such as landfills, soil remediation, water supply and treatment,
and wastewater treatment to ensure proper separation of these activities from the
townsite. The policies of Council are:
a) The Nuna designation generally permits traditional, tourism and recreational
uses. Permitted uses also include dog teams, quarrying, mineral exploration,
and local infrastructure projects.
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March 2016
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b) Council shall ensure that development does not negatively impact wildlife,
wildlife habitat and harvesting, and is consistent with the guiding principles of
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ).
5.7
Waste Disposal Overlay
The Waste Disposal Overlay identifies the required 450-metre setback from existing or
former waste disposal sites. The policies of Council are:
a) The Hamlet shall generally prohibit the development of residential uses and
uses involving food storage or food preparation within 450 metres of any
existing or former waste disposal site, pursuant to the General Sanitation
Regulations of the Public Health Act (Nunavut).
b) Despite Policy (a) above, the Hamlet may seek variances to the 450-metre
waste disposal setback from the GN Environmental Health Officer for
development proposed within the setback, as shown on Schedule 2: Land Use
& Zoning Map - Community View. A letter from the Environmental Health
Officer confirming the variance shall be obtained prior to the issuance of a
Development Permit.
5.8
Watershed Overlay
The Watershed Overlay identifies the watershed of the Hamlet water source (glacial
runoff) and is intended to restrict the uses of the underlying designation to protect the
Hamlet water source. The policies of Council are:
a) No development is permitted in the Watershed Overlay, unless it can be
demonstrated that the development will have no negative impact on the
Hamlet water source.
b) Despite policy 4.8 a) above, uses accessory to the supply of water such as a
pipeline, a pumping or monitoring station or road are permitted.
5.9
Municipal Reserve
The Municipal Reserve designation is intended to reserve the land for the future growth of
the community. The policies of Council are:
a) The Municipal Reserve designation does not permit any development except
temporary uses approved by Council.
b) Municipal Reserve lands shall be redesignated by amendment to this Plan
prior to being used for community expansion.