Council approves second reading of land use bylaw amendment in support of Gulf Shore development
Cumberland municipal council has approved second reading of an amendment to the land use bylaw to facilitate the development of approximately 10 lots by rezoning a property on the Gulf Shore Road from agricultural to recreational residential.
The property is adjacent to the Felder Ridge Road, south of the Gulf Shore Road near Pugwash. The surrounding area is developed by homes and cottages and is a much sought after area. Future development would be in keeping with the character of the area.
Nine Parrsboro properties rezoned to permit residential development
An application to rezone nine properties in and around Parrsboro has been approved by Cumberland municipal council. This will permit future residential development.
The properties are located between 527 and 599 Main St. in Parrsboro and north and east of 1983 Western Ave. A single dwelling is planned immediately with the ability for future residential development.
Properties to the south are zoned rural industrial (along Chambers Boulevard) and multi-unit residential.
Council approves first reading of land use amendment for Oxford area development
Cumberland municipal council has approved first reading of an amendment to the land use bylaw to rezone a property bordering with the Town of Oxford to facilitate a housing development in Little River by Mervil Rushton.
The application is to rezone the property from rural resource to lower density residential.
The municipality will schedule a public hearing at a future council meeting.
If approved, the rezoning will permit Rushton to develop eight lots accessed by a new public road extension.
Council approves repeal of the Carbon Surcharge Fund Policy
Council approved the repeal of the Carbon Surcharge Fund Policy and directed staff to allocate the balance of the fund to a local non-profit organization to assist with a green energy project as part of the 2024-25 grants to organizations process.
The Carbon Surcharge Fund Policy was established in 2015. The objective of the policy was to support small-scale initiatives that help local not-for-profit organizations reduce their energy consumption thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Money was collected from senior management and councillors by deducting $5 as a carbon surcharge from each travel claim submitted.
All money collected as a carbon surcharge is placed in the Municipality of the County of Cumberland’s Carbon Surcharge Fund account. The intent of the policy was to award the money collected annually to one non-profit organization (application-based process) to assist with green energy projects.
Municipality sells surplus Springhill property
The Municipality of Cumberland is selling a surplus piece of property in Springhill to Mark Habib for $12,000 plus HST.
Council had declared the property at 242 McGee St, Springhill, as surplus with a tender being issued offering the property for sale.
Habib submitted the lone bid for the property.
Municipality of Cumberland to create IT services supervisor position
Cumberland municipal council has approved the creation of an IT services supervisor position.
The municipality has IT infrastructure to support approximately 100 users across several facilities, including service centres in Upper Nappan, Springhill and Parrsboro as well as the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill, a campground, multiple treatment plants, public works buildings, a library and remote work capabilities through VPN.
To support these services, the municipality employs a desktop help and support administrator and this person’s time is spent primarily on responding to requests from staff and councillors to troubleshoot issues.
The municipality also has a contact with iRemote, an external company that provides oversight to the network and desktop support as needed.
The IT supervisor would assist in the daily coordination of IT needs while providing long-range planning strategies to meet the demands of a changing IT environment, including cybersecurity.
Municipality creates a community engagement coordinator position
The Municipality of Cumberland is creating a community engagement coordinator position.
The municipality is required to develop and implement an accessibility plan as well as a diversity and inclusion plan along with a poverty reduction strategy.
Municipalities play a part in the quality of life of their residents. Equity and inclusion create more sustainable communities where people from all walks of life have the right to and can participate fully in municipal services.
The community engagement coordinator will coordinate the municipality’s equity, diversion, inclusion and accessibility priorities. These include supporting provincially legislated plans related to accessibility and anti-racism, supporting the intermunicipal Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee and supporting and advising on policies and programs.
Council votes to reschedule the October 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting
Cumberland municipal council has voted to move its October 2023 committee of the whole meeting from the third Wednesday of the month to the second Wednesday of the month.
Several employees are registered for the AMANS Fall conference, which is taking place that same week, creating a scheduling conflict for staff members.