Long-term vision for Pictou County: Community character, housing, and agriculture top concerns of planning project

PICTOU, N.S. — After months of public consultations and collecting survey results, a report on the Municipality of Pictou County’s (MOPC) planning project, Imagine MOPC, was released to the public on Jan. 8.

The report outlines seven areas that residents of Pictou County noted were important to them when considering developing MOPC’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS). This includes community character, agriculture, housing, economic development, the environment, transportation and parks and recreation. The report also had a section dedicated to survey responses that highlighted a desire to have no planning or very little within the county.

“These documents will provide long-term vision and direction for the development and growth of the Municipality of Pictou County,” read the report.

Why planning?

In 2018, the provincial government passed legislation requiring every municipality to adopt land use rules to meet the newly established minimum planning standards. Currently, in MOPC, there is no land use planning besides the Wind Energy Bylaw and the Subdivision bylaw. As a result, the municipality launched Imagine MOPC in September 2023 to develop a MPS and LUB.

Upland Planning and Design is doing the daily work of Imagine MOPC in collaboration with municipal staff and a steering committee comprised of the MOPC council and the Planning Advisory Committee.

During public consultations and in the report recently released, Upland highlights the importance of planning documents, particularly as they help communities prepare for change, support the character and culture of communities, protect sensitive environments and protect people and help maintain a healthy and sustainable economy.

“Planning seeks to balance the needs of people, the economy, and the environment by determining where, at what intensity, and in what form certain land uses should take place,” the report continues.

Community Character

Survey participants, when asked what makes Pictou County a great place to live, responded that the small town atmosphere (50 per cent) and the rural atmosphere (61 per cent) were some of the most important features of Pictou County.

One person wrote in response to the survey that in 10 years, they “want to see all towns thriving, growing and moving forward with what works staying, getting rid of things that don’t. And continue being a place we are proud to live in.”

The report highlights that most survey participants described Pictou County as ‘friendly,’ ‘peaceful,’ and ‘beautiful,’ with more negative terms, such as ‘lacking’ and ‘outdated,’ also being used.

“Participants reiterated the importance of adopting a balanced approach that achieves vibrancy without compromising the rural charm and lifestyles that define their community,” the report stated.

Some recommendations made by survey and public consultation participants highlighted in the report included designing spaces that are accessible and inclusive for all, tackling food insecurity, improving access to mental health services and addressing issues that contribute to residents feeling unsafe in their communities.

Agriculture

According to the report, agriculture was raised in public consultations and within the survey as vitally important to Pictou County. MOPC was described as a strong farming community by residents.

“In 10 years, I want Pictou County to be a hub of agriculture in Nova Scotia,” said one respondent to the survey.

Respondents raised concerns about the decline in the number of active farms in the region and worries about newcomers into the community who move to Pictou County for the quiet rural life and didn’t know about the noise and smells associated with agriculture.

“Most members of the farming community that we spoke to were interested in examining how this could be mitigated through land use planning, as well as how planning can help to slow or curb the loss of agricultural land to development,” the report said.

Some concerns were raised, as well, about how land-use planning could impact agritourism industries in the area. The report noted that operators want to ensure they are considered when drafting the planning documents.

Farmers also wanted to be more involved in the planning process and asked for another opportunity to participate in the upcoming engagement period during the slower months.

Housing

Concern about housing, particularly availability and affordability, were some of the top responses in the survey.

“It was reported that rental options are limited, and the acquisition of housing poses challenges. Issues with homeownership appear to be disproportionately affecting young people entering the housing market, as well as seniors looking to transition into housing options that accommodate their changing needs,” the report said.

The recommendations from participants related to housing included providing a diverse range of housing options and offering short-term options for unhoused people. At the same time, long-term solutions are being worked on, and vacant properties are being restored for housing development.

Environment, transportation and recreation

Access to nature was the top result when residents of Pictou County were asked what made the area great to live in. Acknowledging the importance of the environment and accessing parks, the report highlighted some of the recommendations of residents by protecting local beaches and enhancing access to trails.

“The prevailing sentiment was a desire for a balanced approach that effectively addresses environmental concerns while safeguarding the health and prosperity of individuals and the community as a whole,” the report said.

In connection with the concerns of the environment and recreation transportation, particularly improving active transportation, as well as making it more affordable and accessible.

“Making transportation more affordable and public would do wonders to grow our rural communities,” said one respondent.

The report highlighted that residents want a “transportation plan that would align with the community’s values of sustainability, accessibility and inclusion.”

Resistance to planning

Despite the enthusiasm of some residents for the planning process, some respondents to the survey and participants in the public consultation, several residents advocated against the idea of any planning happening at all.

“In 10 years, I want Pictou to be control-free from telling me what I can and can’t do with my property,” said one respondent.

While not everyone was against all forms of planning, some residents just wanted planning regulations to protect them as homeowners.

“At the public meetings, we heard multiple times about planning projects in other jurisdictions, especially a particular case in Alberta where stringent planning rules were brought into a predominantly rural/suburban community,” the report continued. “They were concerned that the new planning documents would be heavy-handed and result in significant government overreach.”

Some of the desires made by residents resistant to implementing planning in the county wanted to see transparency and consistency and the final documents to be flexible.

The full Imagine MOPC report can be found online. The next stage of the planning process is drafting the planning documents based on the results of the public consultations and surveys.