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CBRM
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS POLICY
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY
1. This policy derives its authority from Section 204 and Section 204A of the Municipal
Government Act of the Province of Nova Scotia
PURPOSE
2. The purpose of this policy is to:
a) Provide ample opportunity for the public to actively participate in decisions
concerning the adoption or amendment of a CBRM planning document as defined by
the Municipal Government Act i.e. the adoption of a Municipal Planning Strategy or
Subdivision Bylaw or any amendment to either of these planning documents; and
b) Solicit comments from abutting municipalities and First Nation communities on
proposed adoption of amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy to reduce
land-use conflict and increase cooperative regional opportunities.
EXCEPTION
3. This Policy does not apply to land use by-law amendments which do not also require an
amendment to the Municipal Planning Strategy.
STATEMENTS OF POLICY
4. Due to the complexity and large scale of the landscape throughout the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality, the possibility planning documents or their amendments could be
initiated by CBRM staff or the general public, and the range of planning documents could
be site specific or have an effect throughout a neighbourhood, a community or the entire
Regional Municipality, it shall be a policy of Council to consider a wide range of acceptable
formats for a public participation program dependant on the type of planning document
under consideration for adoption.
5. Council shall solicit comments from abutting municipalities when:
a) Adopting or replacing a Municipal Planning Strategy; and
b) Considering amendments to a Municipal Planning Strategy, which would impact
lands that share a common boundary with abutting municipalities.
6. Council shall solicit comments from abutting First Nation communities when:
a) Adopting or replacing a Municipal Planning Strategy; and
Public Participation and Engagement Programs Policy 2
b) Considering amendments to a Municipal Planning Strategy, which would impact
lands sharing common boundaries.
APPLICATION AND PROCEDURE—ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
7. Within 14 days of initiation of any process to adopt or amend a Municipal Planning
Strategy, staff of the Planning and Development Department shall formally notify and
request comments from abutting municipalities, Membertou First Nation, and Eskasoni
First Nation.
8. Formal notice shall be sent to the respective Chief Administrative Officer, or equivalent,
describing the proposal and requesting input within 14 days.
9. The Planning and Development Department will present the results of the public
engagement program to Council prior to Council proceeding with first notice of a public
hearing.
APPLICATION AND PROCEDURE—PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
10. The appropriate format for each Public Participation Program will be drafted by staff of
the Planning and Development Department based on the specifics of the proposed
amendment. Where applicable, staff will work with the local councillor, or councillors,
when a proposed planning document will not be in effect throughout the Regional
Municipality.
11. Acceptable formats of public participation programs include, but are not limited to the
following:
a) Public Meeting
Notice of such public meeting shall be by one, or a combination of,the following:
• an advertisement in the local newspaper;
• notice mailed to surrounding land owners; or
• notice on the CBRM website or other social media.
Notice of the public meeting shall briefly describe the undertaking or proposed
amendment, the time, date and place of the public meeting, as well as a source
for obtaining background or additional information. The radius of mail
notification will be determined by the Planning and Development Department
based on the geography affected by the proposed planning document.
b) Open House
Notice of an open house shall be an advertisement in the local newspaper, notice
mailed to surrounding land owners, or notice on the CBRM website and/or other
social media. Notice of the open house shall briefly describe the undertaking or
proposed amendment, the time, date and place of the open house, as well as a
source for obtaining background or additional information. The radius of mail
notification will be determined by the Planning and Development Department
based on the geography affected by the proposed planning document.
c) Notification Requesting Input
Notice shall be mailed to land owners in the vicinity of the proposed
development. The radius of this notification will be determined by the Planning
and Development Department. The notice shall briefly describe the undertaking
or proposed amendment, the deadline date for comments, how comments may
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Public Participation and Engagement Programs Policy 3
be submitted, as well as a source for obtaining background or additional
information.
d) Survey
Surveys should be considered when the jurisdiction of the proposed amendment
is too large for public notification by mail.
12. The Planning and Development will present the result of the public participation
program to the Council.
Approved by Council: February 6, 2018
Amended by Council: March 28, 2023
Cape Breton Regional Municipality