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MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF ANNAPOLIS POLICY AND
ADMINISTRATION MANUAL
POLICY 113
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Public Participation Policy
1. GENERAL
This policy is referred to as the "Public Participation Policy".
2. AUTHORITY FOR POLICY
Section 190(c) of the Municipal Government Act states that the purpose of this part of the
MGA is to establish a consultative process to ensure the right of the public to have
access to information and to participate in the formulation of planning strategies and by-
laws, including the right to be notified and heard before decisions are made pursuant to
this Part.
Section 204 of the Municipal Government Act states that
(1) A council shall adopt, by policy, a public participation program concerning the
preparation of planning documents.
(2) A council may adopt different public participation programs for different types of
planning documents.
(3) The content of a public participation program is at the discretion of the council, but it
shall identify opportunities and establish ways and means of seeking the opinions of the
public concerning the proposed planning documents.
3. DEFINITIONS
Terms used in this policy shall have the same meaning as in the Municipal
Government Act, or as their context applies according to a dictionary of the Canadian
language, except as follows:
"public participation" means an opportunity afforded to members of the public who live
or own property in Annapolis County to provide comments, feedback, input,
suggestions, or recommendations, either in favour of or against, any proposed
Municipal Planning Strategy or Land use Bylaw changes or amendments, including
applications for a re-zoning or text amendment or development agreement, and does
not include a Public Hearing.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
a. Public Information Meetings
Prior to any review of final drafts of Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) or Land
Use Bylaw (LUB) amendments, re-zonings, development agreements or proposed
new MPS or LUB full updates being reviewed by Planning Advisory Committee,
the Municipality shall hold one or more public information meetings.
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MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF ANNAPOLIS POLICY AND
ADMINISTRATION MANUAL
POLICY 113
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Public Participation Policy
All public information meetings shall be advertised by the Municipal Clerk, with
such notice(s) being placed on the municipality's website and social media
platforms with the first of any such notices appearing at least seven (7) days
before the beginning of the public information program.
In addition to mandatory website advertisements, the municipality may also
publish notice of such public information meetings in a newspaper circulating in
the municipality, other locally available publications or sites, where the document
relates to one specific area by unaddressed admail to that area, and where the
planning documents relate to a county-wide document, on a local radio station.
At public information meetings, members of the public who are residents of
Annapolis County, or who own property in Annapolis County, as welcome to make
respectful comments and seek clarification on the documents from municipal staff
or municipal consultants.
During public information sessions, those eligible to make comments are welcome
to speak more than once after each person who wishes to speak has been
provided an opportunity to speak once.
Public information meetings may be held at one or more geographic locations
considering the geographic impact of the documents under consideration, and
supplemental information meetings may be held on-line.
b. Public Hearings
The Municipality shall hold formal public hearings in all cases when required by the
Municipal Government Act or other legislation.
All public hearings shall be chaired by the Warden, or their designate, and shall
take place in the municipal office, or some other suitable location nearest to the
municipal office that contains the required space for the meeting.
5. MEETING RECOGNITION
Written records of all meetings held as part of the public information process shall be
kept by municipal staff.
Upon the completion of all public information meetings, staff or a municipal consultant
shall provide a summary document to Planning Advisory Committee of the comments
received that require a review for potential changes. This document shall include
comments by municipal staff or the municipal consultant concerning whether the input
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MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF ANNAPOLIS POLICY AND
ADMINISTRATION MANUAL
POLICY 113
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Public Participation Policy
is supported at least in part with any proposed changes noted, or if not supported, the
reasons for.
Planning Advisory Committee shall consider the revised draft of the proposed
document(s) at their first meeting afterwards, and agree upon a final draft to take to a
formal Public Hearing when required.
All approved meeting minutes, and records of the public information meetings shall be
open to the public except as expressly prohibited by law, or not yet approved by the
Planning Advisory Committee.
6. PURPOSE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
The purpose of Public Information Sessions shall be to provide information to
members of the public about proposed changes to municipal planning documents and
to seek feedback on the proposed changes prior to the final draft documents being
forwarded to Planning Advisory Committee for review and the start of formal Public
Hearings. Specifically, the public information meetings may:
a. Review applications for re-zonings, text and bylaw amendments, and other
planning matters that are required by law, allowing opportunities for the
applicant to comment and explain their reasons for the application or
proposal.
b. Review draft Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use Bylaws
amendments being proposed by municipal staff or municipal consultants,
while providing background information and context for the proposed
changes.
c. Review application and review processes, including required submission
information and approval process going forward for planning changes.
d. Document and record public feedback received during information meetings
and forward the comments and staff responses to Planning Advisory
Committee.
10. REPEAL
Policy 113 Public Participation, adopted by Municipal Council of the County of
Annapolis on April 17, 2024, is hereby repealed.
Municipal Clerk's Annotation for Official Policy Book
I certify that this policy was adopted by Municipal Council as indicated below:
Seven (7) Day Notice ......................................................................... July 8, 2025
Council Approval ............................................................................. July 15, 2025
Dawn Campbell July 16, 2025
Interim Chief Administrative Officer Date
At Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia