Draft #5 Secondary Planning Strategy & Land Use By-law: APPROVED!

Following a well attended Public Hearing held on March 20, 2025, Municipal Council has now given Second/Final Reading to approve Draft #5 (March 2025) of the Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. Approximately 90 members of the public attended the hearing. Additionally, written submissions were received from members of the public. Following input from the Public, comments and discussion by Council, the following motion was approved:

2025-158 MOVED by Deputy Warden Assaff, SECONDED by Councillor Veinotte that approve Second and Final Reading of the Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law (Draft #5 dated March 2025) to replace existing Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law approved January 28, 2004. ALL IN FAVOUR. MOTION CARRIED.

The documents have now been sent to the Provincial Department of Municipal Affairs for a mandatory review. Within 30 days of receipt the Province will confirm whether Ministerial Review is required. If Ministerial Review is required, an additional 60 day review period would be initiated. If Ministerial Review is not required, or once completed, an advertisement will be posted to the Municipality of Chester Website and run in the South Shore Bulletin to advise of the date that the new documents will take effect.

Copies of Draft #5 of the Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law are available in the "Document Library" located on the right side of this page.

If you have questions regarding the new documents please contact planning@chester.ca if you wish to discuss a potential project, permitting requirements or to begin an application, please contact development@chester.ca or phone 902-275-2599.

A BIG thank you to all who participated in this four and a half year Plan Review. We met with, heard from and discussed the documents with hundreds of residents and property owners, and each contributed in an important way to the end result. While this type of process often does not completely meet everyone's expectations or desires, staff and Council believe the resulting documents are a significant improvement and step forward. Planning documents are "living documents" and are intended to adjust and adapt over time. This means the work is not done, and ongoing concerns can continue to be discussed and addressed.

Please watch for what will likely be the final update to this page to advise when the documents have been reviewed and come into effect.