On May 13, we will be hosting two walking events at Miner's Marsh trail, along with Hike Nova Scotia and Blomidon Naturalists Society! The first walk will be from 12:15pm - 12:45 pm and the second will be at 5:30pm - 6:30 pm. While on the walk, we will be admiring all of our bird friends where you can earn your Birding Badge!

Register via www.kentvilla.ca/programs

To qualify for this badge, there are three criteria:

Be active!

Hike for 30 minutes at Miners Marsh: This protected site includes 1.7 km of trail that are accessed from the Harvest Moon Trail at the intersection of the trail with Leverett Avenue (2 Klondyke Street), and from the parking area behind the Law Courts building on Bridge Street (81 Bridge Street).

Find birds!

You can borrow a birding kit from the Town of Kentville’s equipment loan program which includes binoculars and a bird guide, and you can also identify birds using the Merlin app on your phone. Identify and log at least 5 different birds using the iNaturalist app (or simply list them on your submission) on each trail.

Take a break!

During the hike, you must also have lunch or a snack at a local restaurant or café. In the summer you can enjoy the town’s sidewalk patios, or get take-out and travel to a trail or park to eat with the birds!

After you’ve finished your challenge, apply to receive your badge by getting in touch with info@hikenovascotia.ca.

The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) was established in 2025 and provides advice and recommendations to Council on matters related to land use planning, development policies, and long-term strategic growth.

Learn more about the PAC: https://kentville.ca/town-hall/committees-and-commissions/planning-advisory-committee 

On May 13, we will be hosting two walking events at Miner's Marsh trail, along with Hike Nova Scotia and Blomidon Naturalists Society! The first walk will be from 12:15pm - 12:45 pm and the second will be at 5:30pm - 6:30 pm. While on the walk, we will be admiring all of our bird friends where you can earn your Birding Badge!

Register via www.kentvilla.ca/programs

To qualify for this badge, there are three criteria:

Be active!

Hike for 30 minutes at Miners Marsh: This protected site includes 1.7 km of trail that are accessed from the Harvest Moon Trail at the intersection of the trail with Leverett Avenue (2 Klondyke Street), and from the parking area behind the Law Courts building on Bridge Street (81 Bridge Street).

Find birds!

You can borrow a birding kit from the Town of Kentville’s equipment loan program which includes binoculars and a bird guide, and you can also identify birds using the Merlin app on your phone. Identify and log at least 5 different birds using the iNaturalist app (or simply list them on your submission) on each trail.

Take a break!

During the hike, you must also have lunch or a snack at a local restaurant or café. In the summer you can enjoy the town’s sidewalk patios, or get take-out and travel to a trail or park to eat with the birds!

After you’ve finished your challenge, apply to receive your badge by getting in touch with info@hikenovascotia.ca.

In collaboration with Oakdene Community Garden Association, we are having a Spring Fling on May 16th at Oakdene Park! 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Join us in some fun for the whole family while we welcome in new signs of life and a new season of recreation and growing.

There will be...

-Rock painting
-Seed planting
-A Puppet Show
-Bracelet Making
-Games and Activities
-An Obstacle Course

Drop-in, free, and all ages are welcome.

The advisory group for the Kentville Police Service, the Police Commission works to help strengthen and improve the Police Service. The commission meets 11 times per year to discuss emerging issues, equipment, and personnel. Members on this board include two members of Town Council, two members from the community, and a representative from the provincial Department of Justice.  

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING

Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw Amendment

A Public Participation Meeting will be held at the Kentville Fire Hall, 463 Main Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia, at 6:00 PM on May 21, 2026, to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on or make suggestions to the proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw. The meeting will include a short presentation by staff followed by an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.

Planning Application: The proposed amendments aim to clarify how program-based housing and emergency shelters are defined and permitted within the Town’s planning framework. The proposed amendments refine how Program-Based Housing is regulated by treating it as a residential use within the Medium Residential (R3) Zone, consistent with other multi-unit development. Larger Program-Based Housing developments would require Development Agreement review, and Emergency Shelters would be permitted in the Institutional (I) Zone by Development Agreement. 

These changes are intended to improve clarity, consistency, and fairness in how diverse housing forms are regulated, while ensuring that similar residential developments are treated consistently. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, learn about the revised approach, and share their feedback to help guide Council’s next steps.

Date/Time: May 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Location: Kentville Fire Hall

For further information, copies of the proposed amendments, and questions about submitting comments please contact Darren Shupe, Director of Planning & Development at (902) 679-2529 or dshupe@kentville.ca

May 4, 2026
Chris McNeill, Chief Administrative Officer and Town Clerk
TOWN OF KENTVILLE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw Amendments

TAKE NOTICE that Kentville Town Council will be holding a PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 4pm in Council Chambers of Town Hall, 354 Main Street, Kentville, NS. Council intends to consider at this meeting the following proposals:

Planning Applications:

1. The Town of Kentville is considering a proposed amendment to its Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to permit the issuance of development permits for Non-Occupied Dwellings prior to final subdivision approval, subject to appropriate controls respecting servicing, infrastructure, and occupancy. The intent of this amendment is to enable housing construction to proceed concurrently with infrastructure completion, while maintaining municipal oversight and safety standards.
2. The Town of Kentville is considering a proposed amendment which would modify the Home-Based Business provisions of the Land Use By-law to consider permitting group classes of up to 8 people per class an additional use within this section. Section 5.1.3(c)(i) currently restricts classes to “private one on one instruction or tutoring in the arts”.

Any interested persons who wish to speak on the matters are welcome to attend and make their opinions known to Council. Visual presentations, such as PowerPoint, and written submissions must be provided to staff before 12pm on the business day immediately preceding the Hearing.

The applications are posted on the Town website at: www.kentville.ca/planning-applications

Further information may be obtained by contacting:
Darren Shupe (902-679-2529) dshupe@kentville.ca

Kentville residents elect six councillors and the mayor every four years during municipal elections. This team meets each month during the Council Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting with directors to understand town operations, and to receive recommendations from staff. At the end of each month, council considers these and other recommendations and makes decisions in the best interest of the town.

Both the CAC and council meetings are open to the public, either live at Town Hall or online using YouTube.

All council meetings are available on the town's YouTube channel.