Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete)
Consultation has concluded

In January 2020 Municipal Council approved a new Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. These documents regulate land use and development activity for areas outside the Village of Chester. The Village is regulated by a Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. Staff are now undertaking a review of the Village of Chester planning documents.
The format and structure of the Village of Chester Plan will match the Municipal Plan, however, the policies and regulations created within the Village documents will be tailored to address the unique opportunities, issues and challenges within the Village.
In January 2020 Municipal Council approved a new Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. These documents regulate land use and development activity for areas outside the Village of Chester. The Village is regulated by a Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. Staff are now undertaking a review of the Village of Chester planning documents.
The format and structure of the Village of Chester Plan will match the Municipal Plan, however, the policies and regulations created within the Village documents will be tailored to address the unique opportunities, issues and challenges within the Village.
Guest Book
- What makes the Village of Chester a great place to live, work and recreate?
- What do we need to protect and keep the same?
- What concerns or challenges do you see facing the Village of Chester ?
- What might be done to address these concerns?
Key Dates
Document Library
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APPROVED Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law
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2025-05-09_Village of Chester Land Use By-law (IN EFFECT).pdf (2.71 MB) (pdf)
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2025-05-09_LUB_Schedule A_Zoning Map.pdf (25.6 MB) (pdf)
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2025-05-09_LUB_Schedule B_Environment and Heritage Overlay Map.pdf (20.1 MB) (pdf)
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2025-05-09_LUB_Schedule C_Core Village and Outer Village Overlay.pdf (24.9 MB) (pdf)
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2025-05-09_Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy (IN EFFECT).pdf (4.94 MB) (pdf)
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2025-05-09_Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy_Schedule A_Future Land Use Map.pdf (23.8 MB) (pdf)
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Draft #5 March 2025 Revisions - SPS & LUB
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Draft 5 - Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy (March 2025).pdf (6.08 MB) (pdf)
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Map_CV_SPS_Schedule A_Future Land Use Map.pdf (28.2 MB) (pdf)
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Draft 5 - Village of Chester Land Use By-law (March 2025).pdf (1.24 MB) (pdf)
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Map_CV_LUB_Schedule A_Zoning Map.pdf (7.24 MB) (pdf)
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Map_CV_LUB_Schedule B_Environment and Heritage Overlay Map.pdf (24 MB) (pdf)
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Map_CV_LUB_Schedule C_Core Village and Outer Village Overlay.pdf (29.8 MB) (pdf)
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Draft #4 August Revisions - SPS & LUB
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Draft #3 July 2024 - SPS & LUB
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Draft #2 - SPS & LUB
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Draft #1 - SPS & LBU
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Previous Engagement
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Background Reports - 2014
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Background Report - Municipal Planning Primer (6 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - People and Economy (2.43 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Current Planning Documents (5.55 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Housing in Our Communities (902 KB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Built Form and Settlements (47.2 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Natural Environment (1.95 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Infrastructure and Transportation (1.43 MB) (pdf)
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Background Report - Provincial Policy and Development Trends (2.95 MB) (pdf)
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FBM Built Form and Character Study - Final Report - Sept. 2022 (18.1 MB) (pdf)
Timeline
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Winter 2019/Spring 2020 - Background & Project Scoping
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Scoping of Project
- Approval of Engagement & Communications Plan
- Establish Committee to oversee Review
- Review Background Reports with new Committee
- Establish List of Priority Topics
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Summer/Fall 2020 - Public Engagement #1
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Pop-up Kiosk at various locations and events
- Public Information Meeting(s) (as permitted by Public Health)
- Resident Surveys (online)
- Video Presentations posted on various planning topics
- Prepare Engagement Report on result of Public Engagement #1
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Summer 2021 - Resident Survey
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- preparation of survey questions to support the Village Plan Review
- distribution of 753 surveys via regular mail to all property owners within the Village of Chester
- Collection and preliminary analysis done on 236 returned surveys (31% response rate!)
- Presentation to Council on preliminary survey results
- Findings from survey reviewed and used to prioritize aspects of the Village Review
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Spring/Summer 2022 - Village Character and Highway 3 Engagement
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Prepared RFP and reviewed submissions, awarded contract to FBM Architects to conduct "Built Form and Character Defining Elements study" within the Village of Chester
- Provided support to FBM as the study was carried out
- Public Engagement Session held May 18th at Chester Legion regarding "Built Form and Character Analysis study"
- Preparation of materials and concepts for Highway 3 Workshop
- Public Engagement Session held August 18th at Chester Legion: Future of Highway 3 Workshop
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Winter 2022 - Drafting
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Drafting of Secondary Planning Strategy
- Drafting of Chester Village Land Use By-law
- Internal staff and legal review of draft
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Summer 2023 - Draft Documents Released for Public Comments
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- 1st Draft of the new Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law presented at Council meeting (July 6, 2023)
- Draft copies of SPS and LUB available to the public for comment (July 6, 2023)
- Review of 1st Draft with Village Planning Advisory Committee (July 11, 2023)
- Public Meeting(s) to discuss draft documents and receive feedback (July 22 at 10:30am, July 26 at 2:30pm and August 3 at 6:30pm - All sessions held at St. Stephen Community Centre 54 Regent St, Chester)
- Collect verbal and written comments on the draft documents
- Prepare Engagement Report on result of Public Engagement and discussions with VPAC
- Present engagement report to Council and if required make changes to the draft SPS and LUB (August/September 2023)
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Winter 2023 - Draft #2 Documents Produced and Released
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Staff met with Council in October 2023 to discuss feedback on Draft #1
- Council directed staff to make changes, resulting in Draft #2
- Draft #2 presented to Council February 29, 2024
- Draft #2 released to public
- Final Public Engagement on Draft #2
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Spring 2025 - Approval of New Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) has finished this stage- Council gives 1st Reading to the draft documents
- Public Hearing held
- Council gives 2nd Reading to the draft documents
- Provincial/Ministerial review of documents
- Advertisment placed in Progress Bulletin to make documents effective
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Project Complete - New Documents In Effect
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Review (Complete) is currently at this stage
Who's listening
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GS
Phone 902-275-2599 Email gsturtevant@chester.ca
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Videos and Recorded Presentations
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Click here to play video Secondary Suites in Central Village Residential This video presentation has been prepared by Municipal staff to provide information on Secondary Suites. This idea is a cornerstone for affordable housing options in North America. We want your thoughts and ideas on Secondary Suites, please make sure to leave a comment or suggestion!
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Click here to play video Minimum Parking Requirements in Central Commercial This video provides information on minimum on-site parking requirements in Chester Village. The video also discusses the concept of removing minimum parking regulations for the Central Commercial Zone. Please let us know your thoughts on eliminating on-site parking requirements in the Central Commercial Zone, leave a comment or ask us a question!
Contact Us!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding the Village of Chester Plan Review, please contact us and let us know!
Phone: 902-275-2599
Email: planning@chester.ca
In Person: 186 Central Street, Chester, NS
Chester is a quiet village to raise a family or retire. The beautiful unobstructed shoreline views, enough amenities, school, and shopping within short travel distance makes living comfortable and enjoyable. The quiet streets make walking safe. I think overdevelopment or rezoning from MI to MD would be a huge mistake on our shorelines as it would impact villagers with tourism and industry noise and traffic. Chester should be kept more residential to fit with a more eco friendly environment with its beautiful views and aquatic life.
I believe that the current requirements in the Estate Residential, now R-1 Residential area in the Village of Chester should remain the same. The current infrastructure, roads, and availability of water do not support creating more density. I would also have concerns about the status of the sewer infrastructure. Based on recent experience at Nauss Point, there is no chance that the system could support higher density. There is very little knowledge about the condition of what is underground or even the location. I would guess, that this situation is replicated in multiple locations across the village.
Maintaining the existing character of the village is paramount, while providing a framework where property owners can continue to maintain and upgrade their properties. Walking this line is the challenge that we should all embrace. Investments need to be made by all property owners in municipal infrastructure that will ensure that our businesses will invest and be sustainable and that residential homeowners can be confident in delivery of fundamental services: sewer, roads, and definitely water.
Thank you,
David Wilson
Thank you for
Thank you for this info. It was very helpful in seeing what direction we are going with our development planning.
I am in a residential zone that is directly across the street from a commercial zone on North St so I will be very interested to see what will happen and how the commercial will blend with the residential. Keeping the information flowing is the best way to make sure we are all happy and that our community can flourish.
In my opinion the makeshift sidewalk in front of Tanner Brewing & Company is a traffic hazard. Many times going to or from the businesses, I.e. bank, tavern etc I have had to pull over to let cars by. Two cars cannot pass at the same time because of this makeshift sidewalk. Many times sitting in a line as well.
Leave the hub of Chester as it is with a road right round the central garden. Improve the three present gardens with more flowers and shrubs and seats etc.
Even on winter days at present cars stop on both sides of the central garden for people to look at the view.
A Urquhart
It ie essential for numerous reasons to leave the roads intact leading onto the peninsular.
Removal of one will result in congestion for children at the lido in summer,prevent the older population from sitting in their cars in summer lisenting to the bands,preventing emergency vehicles from getting to the peninsular, may change insurance policy costs on the penninsularerc. Lots of other things also. Alex Uruhart