Accommodation Marketing Levy
Town staff will begin the discussion around the potential implementation of an accommodation marketing levy. The first stage of the discussion will be introduced to Council at the February 13 meeting. (see agenda package).
We have created an information sheet for residents and business owners who may have questions about how this works. You can find that pdf here(123 KB) .
Blockhouse Hill
The Town of Lunenburg is considering selling the lower slopes of Blockhouse Hill for residential development. The Blockhouse Hill Design Project seeks to balance heritage conservation with the development of new residential housing. Community engagement and heritage preservation are key components of this process.
In February 2023, the Town of Lunenburg issued a Request for Proposal to gather design proposals for Blockhouse Hill. On June 13, 2023, Council awarded the Blockhouse Hill Design Project contract to MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects. The RFP required at least three public engagements, a pdf What We Heard Report(52.20 MB) and a pdf Final Report Presentation(99.75 MB) .
The public engagement sessions were held as follows:
- Workshop 1 (Visioning): September 14, 2023
- Workshop 2 (Urban Design): October 19, 2023
- Workshop 3 (Options): November 16, 2023
The "What We Heard Report" covers these workshops and was presented at the December 12, 2023, Council meeting. Recordings from these workshops are available on the Town's YouTube channel. During the November 16, 2023, workshop, attendees saw several preliminary design options. MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects presented the final design options, refined based on public feedback, at the Council meeting on January 23, 2024.
Following this, Council requested further design exploration and an analysis of the development's potential tax implications. Design Option 2, potentially providing $1.766 million in estimated tax revenue, was selected for further advancement. On April 9, 2024, Council directed staff to work with MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects on drafting development rules based on Design Option 2 and declared the lower slopes of Blockhouse Hill as surplus and no longer required for Town purposes.
Ongoing Heritage Reporting and Analysis
The Government of Nova Scotia approved the pdf Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment(16.53 MB) conducted by Davis MacIntyre & Associates on March 27, 2024. This assessment included Mi'kmaq engagement, and no archaeological mitigation is recommended for Design Option 2. Parks Canada has confirmed that buffer zones are intended to provide additional protection to property through legal mechanisms and that the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value encapsulates what elements of the property must be protected. The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value for Old Town Lunenburg says everything necessary to express Old Town's Outstanding Universal Value is within the World Heritage Site's boundaries, which does not include the buffer zone. Parks Canada has been in contact with the Town of Lunenburg and the World Heritage Centre. The Town has sent Parks Canada a pdf Heritage Impact Assessment Report(1.03 MB) , including all heritage analysis undertaken by consultants and staff. This assessment included Mi’kmaq engagement, and no archaeological mitigation was recommended for Design Option 2. Parks Canada confirmed that buffer zones are intended to provide additional protection to property through legal mechanisms and that the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value encapsulates what elements of the property must be protected. Parks Canada has been in contact with the Town of Lunenburg and the World Heritage Centre to ensure proper administration of the World Heritage Convention. The Town has sent Parks Canada a Heritage Impact Assessment, which includes all heritage analysis and public consultation to date.
Common Questions and Concerns
Please see: Blockhouse Hill Summary Sheet
Next steps
The next steps include a directive from Council on May 28, 2024, for staff to prepare a report on how a plebiscite could be conducted regarding the divesting and development of Blockhouse Hill. An information report on holding a plebiscite was presented to Council on June 11, 2024. Whether a plebiscite will be held has yet to be determined. The next report on the Blockhouse Hill Design Project is scheduled to return before Council on July 16, 2024.
Civic Square
The Town of Lunenburg has granted a contract for design proposals for Civic Square. The Civic Square Compatibility and Accessibility Project aims to procure a design harmonizing with Old Town Lunenburg while making the civic square inclusive and fully accessible, including the monuments, bandstand, and Town Hall.
On November 28, 2023, the Town hosted a public workshop for the project where the consultants presented the initial designs. These can be viewed pdf here (43.20 MB) .
The Town also held a focus group with representatives from Lunenburg Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23 and persons with disabilities from the community on December 14, 2023. What we heard from that group can fe found in this pdf report (248 KB) to Council which is part of the agenda for the March 12 meeting.
. The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee reviewed the preliminary designs on February 7, 2024. A What We Heard Report was recently submitted by the consultants. It can be viewed pdf here.(10.98 MB) Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this project. Please watch the Council agendas and this page for updates.
Parking and Traffic Study
The Town of Lunenburg has engaged engineering firm WSP to develop a comprehensive Traffic and Parking Plan tailored specifically for our community. This initiative aims to address the diverse needs of all road users, from tractor-trailers to bicycles, while enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors navigating through our town.
The plan will encompass various aspects, including parking for personal vehicles, commercial vehicles, motor coaches, and recreational vehicles. Additionally, it will evaluate road speeds, one-way road systems, and parking accessibility and availability to ensure efficient and safe mobility for all.
WSP was selected as the preferred candidate for this project based on the robustness of their proposed methodology, which emphasizes extensive engagement with stakeholders and the community at large