Pillar 3 - Complete Communities

The third pillar focuses on recommendations that build upon what makes existing communities great places to live and work.

The benefits of planning complete communities include:

  • increased investment into community facilities and services supported by diversified tax revenue as our communities grow.
  • increased investment into infrastructure including more walkable communities that support a better quality of life.
  • a stronger economy to support local businesses and provide jobs that keep our youth in our communities and attract new families to the area.

Click on each recommendation for details on progress to-date, next steps, and estimated timelines.

To expand upon the important role of Hamlet areas as local hubs as the Municipality grows, it is recommended that MOC prioritize locating new investments in public facilities (such as schools, recreation facilities, and libraries) within the Hamlets to ensure that they develop as complete communities. Such investments would support balanced growth across the Municipality.

Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
MOC is currently engaging the public on potential new public facilities to be built in the Municipality. The recommendation that priority be given to Hamlet areas when considering where these facilities should be located is informing the feasibility study currently underway. Work will continue to ensure site selection criteria prioritize public facilities within or within proximity of Hamlet areas. Amendments to MPS policy CC-41 will be considered during the MPS and LUB review. Ongoing and also tied to MPS /LUB review in 2030.

Allowing appropriately scaled commercial development ensures that daily needs can be met locally, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances and supporting small businesses within the community. MOC could consider adjusting the Site Plan Approval allowance to increase the maximum floor area per premises, remove the maximum total developable land area, and adopt commercial building design requirements for buildings in the Hamlet area.

Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
Discussion was held around fast-tracking the implementation of this recommendation. It was decided to include consideration of these changes in the upcoming review of the MPS & LUB. Work on this recommendation has been included in the upcoming 10-year review of the Land Use By-Law and Municipal Planning Strategy scheduled for 2030. Long Term (2030)

Streetscaping visioning exercises could be completed for the Hamlets to determine the most appropriate interventions for improving safety and comfort along specific sections of Highway 3 and 12 while still supporting the efficient movement of vehicles. Streetscaping interventions such as narrowing travel lanes, providing sidewalks on both sides of the street, planting street trees, and painting crosswalks help to slow traffic by visually indicating that a driver is in a community setting

Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
Work is not currently underway on this recommendation. Discussions with the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works will be required to consider hosting of these visioning exercises as Trunk Highways are the responsibility of the Province. We anticipate beginning these discussions in 2027. Long Term

The creation of a municipal program to support facade improvements for buildings can help preserve the unique community character while contributing to a vibrant local economy by making the area more attractive and welcoming to customers. The facade improvement program will be especially crucial in the Hamlet Areas, where the majority of commercial activities are likely to occur.

Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
A Business Facade Program was approved by Council on May 7, 2026. Details of the program can be found at InvestChester. The program will be promoted to all local businesses within the eligible areas. Complete

There is a significant need to encourage more affordable, adequate, and diverse housing development. Developers usually look for housing incentive options that can support the financial cost of affordable housing development. Exploring housing incentive options will require MOC to carefully examine their financial, operational, and legal capacities to manage these programs.

Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

"Surplus Property Disposal Policy - Affordable Housing" (#P-120) was adopted by Council on March 26, 2026. To develop the policy, all lands under Municipal Ownership were reviewed and evaluated on their potential for housing projects. The policy provides opportunities for housing developers to apply for a lease or purchase of property at less than market value.

Should Council wish to pursue additional incentives to encourage housing development, these will be brought forward for discussion. No additional incentives are currently planned. Complete