In the fall of 2022, a group of concerned residents of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) became aware of developers proposing development using the bare land condominium development structure to achieve density of development that would not be possible under current Subdivision Regulations or other customary development strategies. In the case of a proposed development on Second Peninsula, this appeared to be solely for the purpose of achieving a density that is 2.5 to 3 times more dense than other residential areas on Second Peninsula. This density of development is likely to irreversibly damage the environment, character and safety of the neighbourhood. These concerns were laid out in a letter to Registrar of Condominiums at the Province of Nova Scotia, copied to the Mayor, CAO, Planning Staff and local MODL Councillor for Second Peninsula, and discussed at a subsequent meeting with Mayor, CAO, Planning Staff and local MODL Councillor. A petition, with associated signatures and comments, around these concerns was also presented at this meeting with hundreds of signatures from concerned MODL residents. The petition (now closed) describing the specific concerns can still be viewed at: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/express-concern-2P-Development

Municipal Council and Staff heard the concerns and have indicated their intent to develop new rules that will impact how certain types of cluster developments (including bare land condominium developments) occur across the municipality. More information about their intent can be found at: https://engage.modl.ca/cluster-development-regulations . MODL is holding a Cluster Development Open House on 10 July 2023 at the Best Western in Cookville from 6:30-8:30pm. All concerned residents of MODL are encouraged to attend and make your concerns known.

This petition is:

• to affirm to Municipal Council and Staff the depth of concern around this issue;
• to implore them to provide exceptional leadership in acting swiftly and boldly to protect the integrity of the natural environment, cultural identity and safety of the wonderful Municipality in which we live, work and raise families by implementing appropriate Cluster Development rules; and
• to insist that they structure the Cluster Development rules in such a way as to apply to developments that are already proposed and registered but not yet built out. If they do not do this, they risk a rush by developers to register bare land condominiums before the rules apply, and risk irreversible damage to our Municipality.

If you support these concerns, please add your name and comments to this petition, which will be presented to Staff and Council at the July 10th Open House.