Proposed plan and zoning amendments for a semi-rural enclave in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

1. Kuhn Road
Amendments
Planning and Zoning
Public Information Meeting
April 30, 2015

2. Where is it?
NSCC
Akerley
Main
Street
BID
Beazley
Park

3. Why are we doing this?
• September 2013: Regional Council approved MPS &
LUB provisions for Dartmouth Main Street
• Staff had included Kuhn Rd. area in Main St. process
• Main Street Designation omitted Kuhn Road lands:
– beyond the Main Street BID
– some lack sanitary sewer servicing
– large HRM landholdings
• Kuhn Road area would go under a separate report

4. The Main Street Consultations
included the Kuhn Road lands
• Kuhn Road Issues arising during
the Main Street project:
– Access on/off Kuhn to/from Main
– Lack of sanitary sewers between Kuhn & Main
– Outdoor storage & commercial use
– Aboriginal convocation and herb sites
– Wetland conservation

5. Kuhn Road Blocks & Conservation Lands

6. Private Lots between
Kuhn & Main
Existing Characteristics:
• low-density residential, small boarding house
• enclave with limited development potential due to
lack of sanitary sewers
• no plans to extend sanitary sewers
• need provincial approval for on-site wastewater
disposal and driveway access to Main St.

7. Private Lots between
Kuhn & Main
Intent:
• Align density with service constraint (no sewer)
• Increase scope for small indoor businesses
• Minimize impacts on abutting residents
• Manage access to/from Main St.

8. Re-zone from R-3 to
Neighbourhood Live-Work
Potential uses:
• Single unit dwelling
• Workshop/craftshop
• Warehouse/indoor vehicle
storage/self storage
• Studio/office
• Day spa
• Greenhouse <=480 sf
• Accessory retail
• Cultural uses
• Existing lodging houses
• Existing auxiliary apartments

9. Private Lots between
Kuhn & Main
Zoning rules for:
• Maximum total lot coverage
• Maximum height
• Size, height & roof pitch of accessory buildings
• Appearance of greenhouses
• Small ground signs

10. HRM lands to be divested
north of Kuhn
• HRM is divesting a strip of lots east of the church
property up to and including the old road
• Sanitary sewer exists on Caledonia Road
• Need easements for pipes & driveways
• These lots should remain R-3 (medium density),
requiring development agreements

11. Development Agreement Criteria
• Open space, mature trees, protect wetland
• Architectural interest, respecting church spire
• Walkable, human scale
• Minimum shadows
• Concealed parking, loading & storage
• Integrated appearance of buildings, open space
and adjacent sites, especially the church
• Landscaping, walkways, driveways & services
• Erosion, sedimentation & stormwater plans

12. Opportunities for
Architectural Interest
• Pitched roofs
• Gables or dormers
• Façade offsets, recesses or protrusions
• Vertical or square window openings
• Door, window and corner moldings
• Siding resembling wood, brick or stone

13. Functional Criteria
• safe access by motor vehicles and
emergency equipment
• can be adequately serviced with sewer and
water connections
• erosion, sediment control and stormwater
management plans

14. HRM Lands to be Retained
• Protect wetland to control runoff to Morris-
Russell Lake system
• Redesignate HRM lots for wetland from
Residential to Park & Open Space
• Re-zone from R-3 to C (Conservation)

15. Conclusions
• Rezone Kuhn & Main block from R-3 to NLW
with provisions and conditions to allow small
businesses with minimal sewage loads
• Add development agreement criteria for strip
of lots east of the church up to & including
the old road
• Rezone remaining HRM lands from R-3 to C

16. Thank you!
www.halifax.ca/planning/applications/KuhnRoadArea.php
Marcus Garnet,
Senior Planner
490-4481
garnetm@halifax.ca

17. When would the rules apply?
• New occupants – no effect
• New uses, extensions, external
renovations – new elements only
• Replacement buildings, additional
parking – all elements
i.e., in proportion to the amount of
change

18. Nonconforming structures
may be altered/expanded if:
nonconforming structure remains on one lot
additions are limited in size
additions are for a permitted use
additions respect all the new rules
a landscaped walkway links the door & sidewalk

19. Nonconforming structures may
not be altered/expanded if:
× additions further encroach on yard or lot
coverage limits
× more front-yard parking is added
× illuminated signs are added facing
residences
× a drive-through would become the main use
× adult entertainment exists on the lot