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The Municipality has been actively working on municipal-wide land use planning to help shape vibrant, sustainable communities for the future. Launched in 2020, this multi-year project focuses on updating key planning documents, including the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB), to guide development, support community needs, and meet the province’s mandate for land use planning across Nova Scotia.
A key part of this project is introducing zoning for all areas of the municipality, affecting every property. Zoning helps manage growth, protect important resources, and ensure our communities are thoughtfully planned for the years ahead.
The Municipality has been actively working on municipal-wide land use planning to help shape vibrant, sustainable communities for the future. Launched in 2020, this multi-year project focuses on updating key planning documents, including the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB), to guide development, support community needs, and meet the province’s mandate for land use planning across Nova Scotia.
A key part of this project is introducing zoning for all areas of the municipality, affecting every property. Zoning helps manage growth, protect important resources, and ensure our communities are thoughtfully planned for the years ahead.
The first draft documents were shared with Council and the public on March 13, 2025.
These were intended as drafts only. They can and will change as we hear from the public over the next few months.
We are committed to ensuring every property owner in the District knows about this project. We will be sending a direct letter or postcard to every single resident to advertise the open houses.
We’ll also advertise the open houses and Council meetings on Facebook, CKBW, in the South Shore Bulletin, in Municipal Matters, in our monthly email newsletter (modl.ca/communication), and on this website.
On March 13, 2025, the draft documents were posted as part of the Planning Advisory Committee agenda on the Engage site, and distributed to Council and the public. The documents were intended as drafts, to be reviewed and discussed by both the Planning Advisory Committee, Council, and the public over a series of months through extensive public engagement.
However, we have heard loud and clear from residents that many have serious concerns with the drafts. The overwhelming majority of comments expressed deep concern over possible restrictions on small scale agriculture. There were also general concerns that the draft documents are too restrictive for the District of Lunenburg.
At the March 25, 2025 Council meeting, Council passed a motion “that Municipal Council direct staff to prepare a second draft of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law that is less restrictive and closer in line to the mandatory minimum planning requirements outlined in the Municipal Government Act.” You can watch Council's discussion at the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uP1wiDqpcUY?t=936s
As staff rewrite the draft documents, we need to hear directly from residents about their concerns. Our public engagement events are beginning immediately, with efforts that will see staff and Council attend dozens of formal and informal events throughout every district. We will advertise these opportunities through a direct mail postcard to all residents, print and radio ads, and social media sharing. The complete list of engagement events is available under the Open Houses and Events tab on this site. These events are drop in style, where you can talk to staff and Council.
Can't attend an event? You can watch a presentation below, then submit your thoughts by email to planning@modl.ca, through the Survey or Questions tab below, or you can call a Planner Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. If you reach our voicemail message, please leave your name and number and a Planner will call you back before the end of day, or the next morning.
We want to hear your thoughts about municipal-wide planning. If you haven't watched the presentation yet, you can watch it here on YouTube. We also encourage you to read the documents before completing the survey. You can see the project page here: https://engage.modl.ca/modl2040 or they're linked below.
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Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning has finished this stage
Staff will review existing plans and provide a background report on some the key issues for the project. You will have an opportunity to review and comment on this background report.
Staff will compile a 'what we heard' report for Council to summarize community feedback and make recommendations based on your input for the next phase of the project.
Draft Vision & Goals - April 2021
Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning has finished this stage
Staff will meet with Council and Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) to draft vision and goals for project.
You will be part of an extensive public consultation process to review and improve the draft vision and goals.
Create First Draft of Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use Bylaw
Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning is currently at this stage
Staff will work with Council, the Planning Advisory Committee, and adjacent municipal units, to create a draft structure of the plan.
You will have an opportunity to engage with Staff to review and improve the draft plan.
Final Review & Adoption
this is an upcoming stage for Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning
Staff will produce a final draft which will be presented at the Planning Advisory Committee level before receiving first reading at Council.
You will have the opportunity to provide comment on the final draft at the Planning Advisory Committee and/or at the Council Public Hearing.
Review Process
this is an upcoming stage for Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning
a regular review of the planning strategy will allow for a refresh of policies and regulations based on new trends and circumstances
FAQ Handout.pdf (89.1 KB) (pdf)
Municipal Planning Strategy - Draft 1
