As always, I encourage you to watch the entire meeting. Documents for Development applications can be found on the Town website: https://truro.ca/current-development-applications.html

149 Kaulback Street (3m 15s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=3m15s
Step 2 of 5 for a Development Agreement (DA) application at 149 Kaulback Street, adjacent to the Cemetery, for a 5-story multi-unit residential development with 43 units and 2 levels of parking within the structure. The site is zoned Urban Growth (UG), and representatives were in attendance with their own presentation in addition to the staff presentation.

At 22m 23s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=22m23s I inquired about: staff comments that the amenity space provided is less than what would be required per Land-Use Bylaws (LUB); barrier-free parking and accessible units; building materials in use; width of the bidirectional driveways for safety; bicycle parking and EV charging infrastructure; affordable housing and below-market units; ownership opportunities vs rental-only units; and a design-thinking approach.

At 44m 52s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=44m52s I sought clarity regarding Deputy Mayor Thomas’s comments regarding the height vs setback. I also asked about rooftop usage (solar, green roofing, stormwater management) and the potential for water, snow, or ice to fall from the roof that slopes to the sidewalk alongside the building, referencing the many ice jams and damaged gutters observed during Winter 2026.

Step 3 is expected to be presented at the next meeting.

136 Wade Road (55m 35s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=55m35s
Step 1 of 5 for an application to construct a 7-story mixed-use development with 70 residential units and 996 m2 (10,720 ft2) of ground floor commercial use. This parcel is currently zoned Regional Service (RS) and contains current buildings housing several commercial buildings, and would be constructed on an area of the parcel that is currently grass.

At 1h 09m 45s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=1h09m45s I sought clarification on: the location of the building in relation to existing structures; the considerations for a proposal that is within both Town and County; the potential conflict between the residential driveway and what is currently only commercial truck traffic to the Walmart loading zone, and potential noise concerns for late-night deliveries to the same. I also pointed out that this proposal is very light on details and asked my standard questions about affordable housing, charging infrastructure, bicycle parking, and rooftop usage (solar, green roofing, amenity space). I’ve long supported mixed-use developments that help reduce our car dependency and increase neighbourhood walkability, though I acknowledge that the area currently has a low walkability score which may not be raised significantly through this development, but would be of great benefit to those living at the development if it is built.

Proposed Amendments to the Town of Truro’s Subdivision Bylaw (1h 28m 06s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=1h28m06s
Due to a scheduling conflict, Chair Gourley-Davis stepped away and I, as Vice Chair, chaired the remainder of the meeting.

Planner Macpherson presented 42 amendments from minor items like correcting outdated names of government departments and correcting references to the former Planning Act, which is now the Municipal Government Act. There are removals of redundant clauses, removal of appendices to align with how our bylaws are currently structured, correcting references to our updated Municipal Planning Strategy, removing gendered language, and rewording sections to be clearer and less cumbersome. There is also a Municipal Standard Service Specifications document that will be created from one of the appendices, and some clauses are removed from the bylaw and moved to the new document.

The motion to recommend Council to approve the amendments and direct Engineering and Public Works to draft the Municipal Standard Service Specifications document passed unanimously.

Public Notification Process (1h 49m 46s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dTc5Fxgoc&t=1h49m46s
As follow-up to a motion I made at the June 1, 2026 Council meeting (ref. https://youtu.be/watch?v=GD-IL4hdAeE&t=1h24m33s), Director Fox presented a staff report on possible updates to the Public Notification Process as it relates to Development Agreements. Based on the report, the committee believes the current process is the best of the options as the presented options are either costly, ineffective, or both.

There was discussion around updating DA signage to be larger, clearer, or adding QR codes so that people walking by can use their phones to be linked directly to the DA section of the town website.

The next meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) is scheduled for September 28 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.