Proposed final draft of Land Use Planning moving forward

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is inviting residents to review and provide feedback on the proposed final draft of its new Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law (LUB).

At its July 14, 2026 meeting, Council conducted First Reading of the proposed replacement Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law and passed motions to give notice of its intention to repeal the existing Municipal Planning Strategy (By-law 035) and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law (By-law 049), including all amendments, and replace them with updated planning documents.

The proposed documents represent the fourth draft developed through the Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning Project and incorporate feedback received from Council, the Planning Advisory Committee, residents, community stakeholders, and technical reviews conducted throughout the planning process.

During Council's review, discussion focused on several proposed changes, including regulations affecting agricultural land uses and updated definitions related to recreational vehicles.
Residents are encouraged to review the proposed final draft documents and take part in upcoming public engagement opportunities before Council considers adoption.

Public Information Session
A Public Information Session will provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed final draft documents, ask questions, and speak with Planning Staff about how the proposed regulations may affect their property or community.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Council Chambers
Municipal Office
10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville

Public Hearing
A formal Public Hearing will be held for residents wishing to make submissions directly to Council regarding the proposed Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026
6 p.m.
Council Chambers
Municipal Office
10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville

Written submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026 and can be submitted to:

April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk
10 Allée Champlain Drive
Cookville, NS B4V 9E4
Or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Oral submissions will also be received at the Public Hearing.

Council may make a decision regarding adoption of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law following the Public Hearing.

Learn More
The proposed final draft documents and supporting reports are available at: engage.modl.ca/modl2040

Residents can also watch the presentation and Council's discussion from the July 14 meeting on the Municipality's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BXG5_uc0Y (starting at 38:42).

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

-30-

Planning Advisory Committee Meeting – July 23, 2026

Public Meeting Notice: Thursday July 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

A meeting of the Municipality’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) is scheduled for Thursday July 23, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. at 10 Allee Champlain Drive, Cookville, Nova Scotia. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the following matters:

(1) Proposed Redesignation and Rezoning of PID 60631009 for Commercial and Open Space Uses - Osprey Village Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. (2) Any other planning matters.

All PAC meetings are open to the public and the public are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact Rosemary Young, Planner I at 902-521-9327.

Date posted: July 16, 2026

District 9 Councillor Ben Brooks resigns from Council

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg received the resignation of District 9 Councillor Ben Brooks on July 14, 2026, effective immediately.

Councillor Brooks was first elected to Council in 2024 and has served the residents of District 9 throughout his term. Council thanks him for his service and contributions to the Municipality and wishes him well in the future.

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, Council will determine a date for a special election to fill the vacant Council seat within four weeks. Staff are currently reviewing options and will bring recommendations forward to Council. The date of the by-election will be announced following Council approval.

To ensure residents continue to have access to Council support, Deputy Mayor Chasidy Veinotte has been assigned to assist District 9 residents until a new councillor is elected.

Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile said the Municipality's priority is ensuring residents continue to receive the representation and services they expect.

"On behalf of Council, I want to thank Ben Brooks for his service and contributions during his time on Council. Public service requires dedication and commitment, and we recognize the effort involved in representing your community. While we are sorry to see him leave Council, we respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future. Our focus now is on supporting District 9 residents and ensuring a smooth transition as we move through the by-election process." – Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile

Residents can continue to access municipal services, programs, and support through regular municipal channels.

Further information about the process to fill the vacant council seat will be shared with the public as details are confirmed.

Additional Information

Municipal Elections Act: https://novascotia.ca/municipal-elections/

-30-

Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal Wide Land-use By-law

First Reading Passed and Public Hearing Notice:

Please take notice:

On July 14, 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).

A 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.

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

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

Date: Wednesday July 29, 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 Monday, July 27, 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 July 14, 2026

Municipalities launch shared online Building Permit Portal

New service makes it easier for builders and residents to apply for and track permits online

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL), the Town of Bridgewater, the Town of Lunenburg, and the Region of Queens Municipality have launched a shared online permit application portal, making it easier for residents, contractors, and developers to apply for and track permits across the region.

Opened July 13, 2026, the new portal allows users to create a single account and submit building and development permit applications in any of the four participating municipalities. Applications can be completed anytime, from any device, with real-time updates available throughout the review process.

“This is a smart regional partnership that improves service, reduces duplication, and helps us use municipal resources more efficiently. It's a win for residents, builders, and staff,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile.

The new portal streamlines how permit applications are submitted and managed while maintaining existing inspection services and standards. The Region of Queens Municipality will continue to conduct building inspections within its jurisdiction, while MODL will continue providing building inspection services for MODL, Bridgewater, and Lunenburg.

Residents and contractors who prefer traditional methods will still be able to access in-person service and paper application forms.

Coffee & Create Your Account Sessions

To help users get started, building officials will host a series of "Coffee & Create Your Account" sessions at local building supply stores. Attendees can enjoy a coffee, set up their portal account with one-on-one assistance, and ask questions about permitting requirements and new building efficiency standards.

Schedule

• July 14 – Brady's Home Building Centre, Liverpool (7 a.m.)
• July 15 – Buck's Home Building Centre, Cookville (7 a.m.)
• July 16 – Mary Lake Home Hardware, Caledonia (8 a.m.)
• July 17 – Castle Building Centre, Blockhouse (7 a.m.)

For more information or to access the MODL portal, visit: https://modl.ca/application-for-a-building-development-or-demolition-permit.html

To go directly to the portal, visit: https://app.oncamino.ca/regional-permit-portal/login?referrer=/regional-permit-portal/dashboard

-30-

Notice of Pesticide Treatment at Municipal Parks

The District of Lunenburg is advising residents that pesticide treatment for hemlock woolly adelgid is scheduled at three municipal parks during the week of July 13, 2026.

Treatment dates are weather-dependent and may change. Updates will be shared if the schedule changes.

Park Closure Schedule

Pine Grove Park

• Closed Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15
• Reopening Thursday, July 16

Wiles Lake Park

• Closed Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15
• Reopening Thursday, July 16

Miller Point Peace Park

• Closed Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16 
• Reopening Friday, July 17

This work will be completed by Medway Community Forest Cooperative on behalf of the District of Lunenburg. It is part of ongoing efforts to protect hemlock trees from hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that can cause affected trees to decline and die.

For the safety of park users, pets, and workers, please do not enter closed treatment areas during treatment or within 24 hours after treatment is complete. Please ensure children and pets remain outside closed areas until the parks have reopened.

Signs and barriers will be placed at the parks during the closures. Please follow all posted instructions.

The pesticide products being used are registered for use by Health Canada and will be applied according to label directions by certified pesticide applicators.

For more information, visit engage.modl.ca/hemlock.

Questions? Please contact Kayla Winsor, Climate Action Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to protect Lunenburg's hemlock trees.

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

-30-

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

-30-

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

~30~

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.

-30-