Annual Report 2000 - Halifax Regional Municipality

Planning & Development
Services
A
s a result of the
corporate restructuring
initiative, Alignment 2000,
the Planning Services and
Development Services
Departments were
consolidated into
Planning and
Development Services. Its
primary focus is to further
Council’s strategic
objectives related to
planned growth and
community development
and to provide a high level
of service during a period
of increasing demands.
Building and development
statistics indicate a
continuing increase in
demand on this
service based
on current economic
growth, interest rates,
vacancy rates, and
population trends.
The primary functional
areas of the consolidated
business unit include:
Community and
Municipal Planning,
which prepares and
amends municipal policy
relative to where, how and
when development within
the Region occurs;
Planning Applications
provides advice to
Regional and Community
Councils and Committees
concerning the
implementation of
community and
municipal
planning policy
through the
by-law amendment
processes; Subdivision
Approvals is responsible
for the approvals process
that results in the creation
of property lots and
conveyance of roads,
sidewalks, sewers, water
systems and parkland to
the municipality;
Construction Approvals is
responsible for the
approvals process that
ensures that the design
and construction of
buildings conform to
legislated health and life
safety requirements and
by-laws respecting
community character;
Land Use Compliance
administers a
program to ensure
and advise on
compliance with
land use by-laws and land
development agreements;
and By-law Enforcement
provides a program for
administering and
enforcing a variety of
miscellaneous by-laws and
licensing functions which
are largely related to
community standards of
safety and character.
Accomplishments
Client Service
Improved overall client
service in the area of
construction approvals by
streamlining permit
application
processes for
high
volume
customers.
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