Public Participation Meeting >>> Institutional uses in the Downtown

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING
>>> Institutional uses in the Downtown

There is an upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to learn about proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. The focus of this work is to explore the permission of institutional/support uses locating in the downtown core and the interface these uses have with the commercial core.

The focus area is the downtown, which is composed of the Historic Downtown Commercial (C1) Zone and the LaHave Commercial (C2) Zone. The map attached shows the location of the C1 and C2 Zones. These amendments would not affect any existing businesses or organizations currently located in this area.

DETAILS
Currently, institutional uses are permitted in the C1 and C2 Zones. On July 8, 2024, at the Regular Meeting of Bridgewater Town Council, Council directed staff to begin work on proposed amendments, which was spurred from a conversation about the John Howard Society during the meeting.

Council noted that the institutional use had led to increased police response and presence in the area, and had been raised as a concern by nearby businesses and residents. Council discussed the appropriateness of that use on King Street. However, the John Howard Society is actually permitted as an office use, not an institutional use. Other uses, such as the YMCA Youth Centre, the Red Cross, realtor offices, and insurance offices are currently permitted on King Street as offices too. The Ark is permitted as an institutional use stemming from its focus of adult education.

There is a lot of analysis being conducted on this matter and staff are exploring possible amendments, but due to the complexity there are no proposed amendments written at this time.

This public meeting will be to discuss the intent of Council, the analysis so far by staff, and to hear the public's thoughts on this matter.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at Town Hall (60 Pleasant Street, Bridgewater). Registration is required by Tuesday, October 29 at 4:00PM. To register, contact the Community Development Department at 902-541-4371 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about the application, contact Planner II, Mackenzie Childs, at 902-530-4081 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visit www.bridgewater.ca/DA for more details about the application and the process.