The great weather continues and some great things have happened this week, from swimming in the harbour to the Gorsebrook playground opening.  I wanted to send another quick note today for two reasons – in addition to my last newsletter there three things coming up that I want to remind folks about: Cogswell charette, secondary suites, and Kiwanis Key Leader Camp, and I wanted to tell you what I would be up to next two weeks.

Residents should know I will be attending the Global Harbour Cities Conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on behalf of Mayor Savage for all of next week. The conference discusses smart technology, green initiatives, environmental protection, and harbour transformation. I am excited to hear how other cities balance their working harbour with the redevelopment of their urban cores and adjacent lands.  I will be presenting the case for Halifax and participating in discussions at the conference.  The trip is being supported by staff from Halifax Partnership and Thursday and Friday we will be meeting with potential partners in Kaohsiung and Taipai. More info here: http://www.ghcf.org.tw/

As a result of this I ask residents to direct concerns to Melody Campbell, my coordinator, at melody.campbell@halifax.ca or at 902 490 2012, for the next week!

Secondary Suites – looking for your input!
Secondary suites are additional units, usually located in single unit dwellings, that are considered accessory to the main dwelling.  Backyard suites are additional units that are not attached to the main dwelling and are instead incorporated into a garage or other accessory building.  While the Regional Plan supports secondary suites, the specific policies and regulations that are spread through HRM’s various community plans and land use by-laws are inconsistent and outdated and present certain barriers to developing such units. Regional Council is considering removing barriers to development of these suites. This project is part of HRM’s commitment to the Housing and Homelessness Partnerships’ (HHP) shared affordable housing goals.

• Online questionnaire active from August 31st to Nov 1, 2018.
• In-person engagement with community groups from Sept 10 – Nov 1, 2018.

More info: https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/admin/projects/allowing-secondary-suites-as-a-permitted-use`

Cogswell District Design Charette
24 Sept – 28 Sept | Various Locations

You’re invited to attend a design charrette for the Cogswell District. What is a design charrette? It is a series of detailed workshops that will focus on specific elements of the Cogswell District design plan.

Choose to attend a kick-off event to provide your ideas, delve deep into the design process at the workshops, and/ or view the results of the charrette at the expo. Your feedback will shape design solutions for public spaces and design rules for new buildings in the Cogswell District.

To attend a design session you must RSVP ahead of time. You can choose to attend any or all sessions.

Schedule:

Kick-off – Registration not required.
Monday Sept. 24
6 – 8:30 p.m. @ Dalhousie SUB, McInnes Room
Priorities and opportunities for public spaces and urban design guidelines

Design Sessions
Registration required
Sign up for any or all sessions.

Tuesday, Sept. 25
11 a.m. – noon, Site visit
1 – 3 p.m., Session 1: Walking, Cycling Network & Transit Hub
3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Session 2: History and Commemoration
6 – 8 p.m. Session 3: Parks and Plaza Design

Wednesday, Sept. 26
1 – 3 p.m., Session 4: Design of Trails, Greenways & Connection to Water
3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Session 5: Streetscape Features and Gateways
6 – 8 p.m., Session 6: Building Design Rules

Expo – Registration not required.
Friday, Sept. 28
noon – 5 p.m. @ Scotia Square Centre Court
View the design work created by the charrette and provide feedback

To register, visit: cogswelldistrict.eventbrite.ca

Kiwanis Club’s Key Leader Camp
Friday 26 to Sunday 28 Oct 2018 | Bayside Bapist Church Camp in Sambro Head, Nova Scotia
This Service Leadership camp for 14-18 year olds at Bayside is free. Key Leader is a weekend experiential leadership program for today’s young leaders. This life-changing event focuses on service leadership as the first, most meaningful leadership-development experience. A Key Leader will learn the most important lesson of leadership—it comes from helping others succeed. More info here: http://www.key-leader.org/Discover-Key-Leader.aspx  To register email ken.wilkie@dal.ca