Quote:
Originally Posted by counterfactual
That said, I think we *can* say that Halifax NIMBYs have, in recent decades, wielded a disproportionate share of power in HRM's the development approval process, compared to places like Toronto or Vancouver.
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Almost there
They've wielded disproportionate noise. Despite the drama of the old system, council basically approved everything that came before it. It's pretty much still that way outside of the Downtown. Most projects end up approved. The project that gets a no tends to be an exception. About all I can think of where the heritage lobby wielded influence was the Midtown (council's approval was appealed and was overturned at the URB) and Waterside Centre (defeated at council, but brought back to life at the URB). The lack of development over the last two decades Downtown really has had nothing to do with political opposition and everything to do with market conditions. If it were the later, than we wouldn't have so many vacant lots with outstanding approvals waiting to go. After the office market crash in the early 90s, it took 2 decades for Downtown vacancy and rental rates to edge back up to a place where they could drive new construction. Might have happened sooner if HRM wasn't actively making suburban development so much more attractive with lower taxes, subsidized infrastructure and quick approval processes. At the end of the day, the development versus heritage narrative has really been a political and media show and its a show that has been really detrimental. It has created a polarized environment where heritage and development are treated as mutual-exclusive options.