CBRM Council is considering amendments to the Commercial Development District Improvement By‑law to expand the map boundaries applied Harbourside Business Park (see map below). Before Council can proceed, the Municipality must undertake a Public Participation Program to amend its Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS), as required under the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Under the MGA, municipalities may establish Commercial Development Districts by by‑law. This By-law allows municipalities to phase in increases to property taxes on eligible commercial or contaminated properties for up to ten years. The intent of the By‑law is to incentivize development in identified areas and support long‑term economic growth.
The MGA also requires that Commercial Development Districts be identified in the MPS and located in areas serviced by both water and wastewater. Because the proposed expansion to the Harbourside Business Park must be added to the MPS, a Public Participation Program is required. The proposed expansion aligns with existing municipal zoning and supports continued commercial development in the area.
Your feedback will help inform Council’s decision on whether to proceed with the MPS amendment and corresponding By‑law map change.
Feedback will be accepted until Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
