Public Hearing Scheduled - Draft #5 Secondary Planning Strategy & Land Use By-law

Following the previous update from the fall of 2024, the Village Planning Advisory Committee held a series of four meeting between October 2024 and January 2025. The Committee reviewed a list of items and issues provided by Council to consider changes to the draft documents. The Committee heard from members of the public and with staff support, researched and discussed various potential changes. The Committee ultimately provided a list of recommended changes to Council, which were considered at a Council meeting on February 6, 2025.

Council reviewed the recommended changes, accepted some, made revisions to others, and rejected a small number outright. The following list summarizes the changes approved by Council, which have now been implemented in Draft #5 of the Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law (copies available to download from the Document Library):

Village of Chester Land Use By-law – Summary of Changes to Produce Draft #5:

Removed 7.3.5 Exemption for existing structures and one and two-unit dwellings from complying with parking and landscaping requirements of the R5 Zone.
Added language to permit one residential unit in “Maple Cottage” on Regent Street
Revised several definitions for Tourist Accommodations and Tourist Homes to better align with the forthcoming Short Term Rental Licensing By-law and Tourism Marketing Levy By-law
Removed Core Commercial Zone from 9 properties between Duke and Water Street, exception for existing business on Duke St. to remain Commercial
Lowered potential number of dwellings units per lot in Core Commercial as follows: 1-2 dwelling units by development permit and 3-4 units by development agreement (previous was 1-4 units by DP and 5-10 by DA)
Maintained ability to create Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), one per lot (subject to conditions and criteria of the Land Use By-law).

Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy – Summary of Changes to Produce Draft #5:

Updated Section 6.4 Coastal Protection to reflect current approach and update (ie. Coastal Protection Act abandoned by Province)
Added preamble and Policy P-13 to Institutional to provide for one dwelling unit in Maple Cottage
Revised policies around Short Term Rentals to align with the forthcoming Short Term Rental Licensing By-law and Tourism Marketing Levy By-law
Core Commercial changes to reflect direction from Council, reduction in units by right and development agreement
Maintained policies and language in support of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) per conditions established in the Land Use By-law.

At a Council meeting held on February 27, 2025, Council gave 1st Reading to Draft #5 of the SPS and LUB and set a date for a Public Hearing.

The PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium at Chester District School, 202 Duke Street, Chester.

Residents will have an opportunity to speak at the Public Hearing or may send written comments to: Pamela Myra, Municipal Clerk, 151 King Street, PO Box 369, Chester, NS B0J 1J0 or email to pmyra@chester.ca.

Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday March 14, 2025

Council may vote to approve or reject the new documents at the Public Hearing.