Bedford Highway to Be Repaired; Fairview Market Is Back; Council Supports More Housing
TWO SECTIONS TO BE REPAVED
Two sections of the Bedford Highway in District 10 will be repaired in the upcoming 2024 construction season. The sections from 44 Bedford Highway to Flamingo Drive and from Kearney Lake Road to Prince’s Lodge, will be repaved and may also get curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs. Exact dates are to be determined.
CENTENNIAL ARENA HOSTS FOOD MARKET
The volunteer-run Fairview Market is returning for its fourth season at Centennial Arena. The market will offer fresh local produce, baked goods, crafts and international foods with dozens of vendors participating. Every week a table will be available for non-profi t community groups. The market will run every Thursday until October 31 from 4 – 7 p.m. at 27 Vimy Avenue.
REGIONAL COUNCIL BOOSTS HOUSING
On May 21 HRM Regional Council voted unanimously in favour of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) zoning changes. The HAF changes are aimed at increasing the overall supply of housing to help address HRM’s rising housing costs and housing shortage, estimated at 20,000 units. The HAF changes will allow denser housing across the municipality in urban areas. Mid- and high-rise housing will be approved as of right (automatically) along transit routes and near services. Council also approved $6 million from the HAF for non-profit groups providing affordable housing.
More broadly the HAF changes will eliminate the requirement for one house per lot in many areas of HRM. Instead, in the urban core, up to eight housing units per lot will be allowed. In suburban areas like District 10, the HAF will allow the conversion of single homes to four housing units per lot, up from the three units already permitted. It won’t make sense to tear down or convert homes in good condition, but it may make sense to convert a single home to a duplex, triplex or fourplex when the house needs rebuilding. It’s expected about 1% of houses will be converted each year.
The Regional Council supported the HAF changes because we believe they are the best way forward to help meet the housing needs of our fast-growing municipality. It’s about a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive city. The alternative to a denser city is a sprawling city, which would increase traffic congestion, require more infrastructure over a wider area and cost more in municipal taxes, impacts most residents don’t want to see.
