Council directs revisions to Draft Land Use Plan

Following a public hearing on June 25, 2026, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Council passed a motion directing planning staff to revisit and revise Draft 3 of the Land Use Planning framework in response to public submissions and discussion, particularly regarding the proposed Agriculture Potential Zone.

The decision follows a lengthy hearing where residents shared feedback on several aspects of the draft plan, including agricultural land designation, permitted land uses, and the potential impact on property rights and future development opportunities.

Council acknowledged the importance of the concerns raised and agreed that additional review is needed before the plan proceeds to second reading.

“Residents took the time to come forward and share thoughtful and, in some cases, very personal concerns,” said Mayor McLean-Wile. “Council wants to ensure we fully consider that input and take a careful, balanced approach before making any decisions.”

As part of this next phase, planning staff will review public submissions and Council discussion to identify potential revisions, provide additional clarity, and ensure the proposed framework aligns with provincial requirements while considering the impacts on property owners.

The Municipality has been working on the Land Use Planning framework since 2020, with multiple opportunities for public participation throughout the process. Feedback from the public hearing will play an important role in shaping the next version of the draft.

“We recognize that these are important decisions for our communities,” said McLean-Wile. “This review will help ensure the plan reflects both community input and long-term planning objectives.”

An updated draft will be presented to Council on July 14, and additional public information sessions will be conducted before Council proceeds to Second Reading. The plan must be sent to the Province for final approval.

Information about the Land Use Planning Strategy and Land Use By-laws are available at engage.modl.ca/modl2040

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Public Notice - Audit Committee Meeting July 7

NOTICE
To the Residents of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg

Audit Committee Meeting – July 7, 2026

This Notice is to advise residents that the Audit Committee will be meeting prior to the regularly scheduled Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public. The Agenda, once available, can be viewed at www.modl.ca.

April Whynot-Lohnes
Municipal Clerk

Proclamation - Indigenous Survivors Day

Deputy Mayor Veinotte proclaimed June 30, 2026 as Indigenous Survivors Day in the District of Lunenburg to demonstrate its committment to honouring Indigenous survivors, promoting healing, and building more equitable and inclusive communities. 

Click pdf Proclamation (342 KB) to view it in its entirety.

Notice - Special Council Meeting June 25, 2025

A Special Council meeting is scheduled regarding the proposed Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law on Thursday, June 25, 2026 immediately following the 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing.

Council can make a decision regarding the adoption of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law by conducting Second Reading at the Special Council meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Municipal Services Building at 10 Allee Champlain Drive, Cookville.  The public is invited to attend.

April Whynot-Lohnes

Municipal Clerk

View  pdf Public Notice(142 KB)

Council advances Municipal-Wide Land Use Plan

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has reached a key milestone in its Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning Project, as Council has approved First Reading of a proposed new Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law (LUB) during its meeting on June 9, 2026.

A Public Hearing has been scheduled for June 25, 2026, where residents will have the opportunity to provide formal input before Council considers adoption.

Launched in 2020, the Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning Project aims to guide how land is used and developed across the Municipality, supporting vibrant, sustainable communities while meeting provincial requirements under Nova Scotia legislation.

A key component of the project is the introduction of zoning across the entire municipality, meaning every property will be assigned a zone. This will provide greater clarity for property owners and help manage future development.

Built on community input

The proposed documents reflect years of public engagement, including meetings, workshops, and feedback opportunities across the District.

Input from residents, community groups, and stakeholders has helped shape multiple drafts of the strategy and by-law, including refinements made following a “What We Heard” report and recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee.

The current Draft 3 reflects input from Council, the Planning Advisory Committee, and public engagement efforts.

Learn more and get involved

Residents are encouraged to review the proposed documents, use the interactive zoning map, and participate in upcoming engagement opportunities:

Public Information Sessions
• June 16 (in-person, Cookville) 6 p.m.
• June 18 (virtual) 6 p.m.

Public Hearing
• June 25 at 6 p.m.

Interactive Map
Residents can explore an interactive map to see how proposed zoning may apply to their property: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f9c4c413a1514afcb77fe299c3e657a0?draft=true

Public Notice
Official notice and participation details: https://modl.ca/public-hearing-special-council-meeting-june-24.html

Project Details
Project information, draft documents, and mapping tool:
https://engage.modl.ca/modl2040

For more information, contact Planning Staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 902-530-2802

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Public Information Sessions & Public Hearing

First Reading Passed and Public Hearing Notice:

Please take notice:

On June 9, 2026, Municipal Council conducted First Reading of the proposed replacement Municipal Planning Strategy and new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law. Council passed motions to give notice of its intention to repeal and the existing Municipal Planning Strategies (By-law 035) and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law (By-law 049), including all subsequent amendments, and replace them with the new Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law (LUB).

TWO PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held regarding the proposed final draft of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law. The purpose of the Information Sessions is to present the proposed documents to the public and provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed regulations.

In-Person Public Information Session

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

Virtual Public Information Session

To register, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A meeting link will be provided to registered participants. The presentation will be recorded and made available for public viewing afterward.

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Microsoft Teams

A PUBLIC HEARING regarding the proposed Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law will be held on:

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

The public can make a formal written or oral submissions to Council. Written submissions will be received until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and may be submitted to April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS B4V 9E4 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Oral submissions will be received at the time and place of the Hearing. Council can make a decision regarding the adoption of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law following the Public Hearing.

Copies of the proposed Municipal Planning Strategy, Municipal-Wide Land Use By-Law, and supporting reports are available for review at the Municipal Office, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or online at: https://engage.modl.ca/modl2040.

For additional information, please contact Planning Staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (902) 530-2802.

Posted: June 9, 2026

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MARC site improvements underway

Visitors to the Municipal Activity and Recreation Complex (MARC) will see new activity at the heart of the park this summer as construction begins on modern facilities designed to better support park operations and seasonal recreation programming.

The project includes a new 4,500‑square‑foot building that will provide one-level space for park maintenance staff and summer recreation staff, as well as improved equipment storage. A new accessible playground is also planned, creating inclusive play opportunities for children of all abilities.

Accessible pathways will connect the new building, playground, and other park amenities, improving movement throughout the site. The building will also include an accessible, flushable universal washroom that can be accessed from outside — a significant upgrade from the current on-site facilities.

“These improvements reflect our commitment to creating safe, accessible, and welcoming recreation spaces for everyone in our community,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “The MARC has long been an important gathering place, and these updates will help ensure it continues to serve all residents and visitors for generations to come.”

The MARC site has a long history in Lunenburg County. The property was once part of the former Lunenburg County Home, which dates back to the late 1800s. While most of the County Home buildings were demolished in the 1980s, the remaining brick and wooden structures continued to serve the community for several decades.

Built in a different era, they no longer meet today’s safety, accessibility, or building standards. Replacing them allows the park to continue evolving while better supporting modern recreation and community programming needs. The current “barn” is being preserved.

The MARC will remain open to the public throughout demolition of the structures and construction, with work carefully managed to minimize disruption and maintain safe access to park amenities.

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Miller Point Peace Park - Closed today May 26th

Miller Point Peace Park is closed on Tuesday, May 26th to allow for further construction.

Reopening on May 27th with access through Cemetery Road.

Community invited to Cape LaHave Island conservation talk

Residents are invited to attend a community open house to learn more about the permanent conservation of Cape LaHave Island and what it means for the future of this important local landscape.

In October 2025, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) signed a conservation easement with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, ensuring the island’s natural features are protected in perpetuity. The agreement also maintains public access and supports the traditional, low-impact uses that have long defined the island.

The conservation easement follows several years of public engagement, including community sessions and surveys from 2020 through 2025. Through this process, residents consistently expressed a desire to see the island remain natural, undeveloped, and accessible.

Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile said the agreement reflects what the community values. “Our residents told us clearly that protecting Cape LaHave Island while maintaining access and traditional uses was important to them. This agreement ensures that this special place will be protected for generations to come.”

Bonnie Sutherland, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, says the project represents both conservation and community in action. “Cape LaHave Island is one of Nova Scotia’s great treasures, not only for the birds and pollinators whose habitat is now protected but also for the countless generations of people – past, present, and future – for whom this island is so precious. It embodies what the Nature Trust is working to protect: intact wild space for nature, and for people.”

The upcoming open house offers an opportunity to:

• Learn what the conservation easement means in practice
• Understand how the island can continue to be used and enjoyed
• Explore ways to get involved through the Nature Trust’s Property Guardian program

The session will include a short presentation from the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, followed by an opportunity for discussion.

Event details:
Wednesday, May 20
6:30–8:00 p.m.
West Dublin Hall

All are welcome.

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Environmental Sensitivities/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month

May is Environmental Sensitivities/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (ES/MCS) Awareness Month, with May 12, 2026, recognized as Environmental Sensitivities/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (ES/MCS) Awareness Day.

Click  pdf Proclamation(349 KB) to view in its entirety.

Gaelic Nova Scotia Month

May 2026 marks the 30 anniversary of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month, which is a time to embrace, honour, celebrate, and raise awareness of the language, culture, history, contributions, and achievements of Gaels across the province

Click  pdf Proclamation(345 KB) to view in Gaelic

Click  pdf Proclamation(298 KB) to view in English

Emergency Preparedness Week 2026: Working Together

Emergency Preparedness Week kicks off May 3, 2026, and Lunenburg County REMO is encouraging residents to take simple steps now to be ready for emergencies that can happen in any season. 

From wildfires and floods to storms, drought, and extended power outages, our region is no stranger to emergencies. While municipalities and first responders work together to manage these situations, residents also play an important role in preparing themselves and their families. 

Read the full story in Lunenburg County REMO News. 

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