Development Rumours

[LikesBikes]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Yes, this will be via site plan approval. Council has just done away with the Design Advisory Committee, so the site plan approval process will be entirely internal to HRM staff. It's basically as-of-right, though there are some nuanced differences between full as-of-right and site plan approval.

So before, this project would have had to go through a consultation process and be voted on by counsellors?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Yes, this will be via site plan approval. Council has just done away with the Design Advisory Committee, so the site plan approval process will be entirely internal to HRM staff. It's basically as-of-right, though there are some nuanced differences between full as-of-right and site plan approval.

This is not good. Giving planning bureaucrats that kind of power is the kiss of death to any proposal that does not cleave to the planning theories du jour.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by LikesBikes

So before, this project would have had to go through a consultation process and be voted on by counsellors?

No, previously it would have to go to the Design Advisory Committee, which was composed of volunteers from the design/development/construction professions as well as a few members-at-large. The Committee's role was to advise on building design, but they didn't really have any teeth - it was just a recommendation. And realistically, by the time the building has got to that stage the developer has pretty much baked in the details of the design, so the recommendations were going unheeded. A good chunk of the members resigned because they felt like it was a waste of time.

[LikesBikes]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

No, previously it would have to go to the Design Advisory Committee, which was composed of volunteers from the design/development/construction professions as well as a few members-at-large. The Committee's role was to advise on building design, but they didn't really have any teeth - it was just a recommendation. And realistically, by the time the building has got to that stage the developer has pretty much baked in the details of the design, so the recommendations were going unheeded. A good chunk of the members resigned because they felt like it was a waste of time.

Ok, thanks for the explainer!

[HalifaxRetales]

This has been submitted to HRM Planning

"The major aspects of the proposal are as follows:
• 10 multiple unit residential buildings, ranging from 4 to 8 storeys;
• Approximately 1,040 residential units;
• Realignment of Research Drive (public street);
• Public parkland approximately 1,713 square meters in size; and,
• An active transportation network through the site, linking to Dartmouth South Academy, Fenwick Street, Lynn Drive, and the remaining Southdale lands for future connections."

https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning...-2023-00959-101-research-drive-dartmouth

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by fatscat

My understanding is this project is currently dead, as zoning does not permit for such high towers. IIRC, city came back to the developer and stated you need to build much lower (in accordance with zoning) and the developer backed off.

The site is an eye sore.

I had dinner tonight with a Principle of Lydon Lynch and the project has approvals for the design shown on the site . The developer has other projects on the go like the Elevation on Robie and will proceed when that and other projects get further along. All Construction in Canada is still recovering from Supply disruptions and a bow wave of retirements that were taken during Covid. Folks literally cashed out.

[NorthernGreg]

Is there a thread for the development on Robie/Cedar (1756ish Robie)? There was some excavating work being done there today, which I think is relatively new. The lot is smaller compared to other empty ones along robie so I figured it would be something in the 5-7 story range? any insight to what's going there/link to the thread?

[djbrickhouse]

Anyone know what is happening at 7415 Quinpool? The Armview Towers property appears vacated and is now fenced off.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by djbrickhouse

Anyone know what is happening at 7415 Quinpool? The Armview Towers property appears vacated and is now fenced off.

AllNS reports today that the building is getting a restoration. They're going to keep the butterfly roof.

I've always loved that building, so it's great to see it's getting some investment.

Owner is Peppermint Properties.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

I'm surprised that this hasn't been given the 'renoviction' treatment by the local press. I too think that this is a beautiful building and I'm happy that it'll remain.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

AllNS reports today that the building is getting a restoration. They're going to keep the butterfly roof.

I've always loved that building, so it's great to see it's getting some investment...

I'm a fan of the roof and building as well. Happy to hear this.

[Dmajackson]

So I am in love with Halifax's Open Data Catalog. I just found a new dataset for development-only permits where developers get approval for the proposed land-use before they submit for a building permit. So basically this means I can get information on upcoming projects even earlier!

Here's a few approved uses I've found that I have not heard about before;

2318 Gottingen Street - 6-storey mixed-use building
Windmill Road & Brookside Avenue - multi-unit
Main Street & Hillsboro Drive - commercial building
1753 Bedford Highway - 3-storey commercial building

Hammonds Plains Road near the First Nation Entertainment Centre - Over 500 Units of Senior's Housing in multiple buildings (approved before the fire).

[bartekci]

That 6-story Gottingen build is on an impressively tight lot. Assuming they will be tearing down some of the adjacent properties.

[Dmajackson]

Some in progress Development-Only Permits. I'm not done scanning through so I may post more tonight.

323 Sackville Drive - 5-storey, 64-unit building behind Baxter Suites
498 Sackville Drive - Multi-unit (no size specified)
3545 Robie Street - Cousin's Restaurant redevelopment (no size specified)
25 Crystal Drive - 5-storey, 2'300 sq ft commercial and 48 units
5688 West Street - 5-storey, 16-unit residential building (next to EAST WEST).

[kph06]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Some in progress Development-Only Permits. I'm not done scanning through so I may post more tonight.

323 Sackville Drive - 5-storey, 64-unit building behind Baxter Suites
498 Sackville Drive - Multi-unit (no size specified)
3545 Robie Street - Cousin's Restaurant redevelopment (no size specified)
25 Crystal Drive - 5-storey, 2'300 sq ft commercial and 48 units
5688 West Street - 5-storey, 16-unit residential building (next to EAST WEST).

Halifax Retales had a tweet about this a little while back (at the time I figured I'd wait to see if they wanted to share the find):


Specific Tweet

[Dmajackson]

And the last of the Development-Only permits submitted in 2023 that are still open.

30 Memory Lane - 44-unit building
5213 Green Street - 6-storey building of about 45 units
100 Block of Broad Street - Multi-Unit (Bedford West High-rise site)
6250 Quinpool Road - 217 units (Ben's Bakery last building)
2731 Robie Street - 26 Units (former Coastal Cafe)
Hammonds Plains & Majesty - commercial building
1 Horizon Court - The Europa site (no size specified)
341 Sackville Drive - Four new residential buildings (no size specified)
Windmill Road @ Nootka - 175 Units
2 Marie Avene - 128 Residents Long-Term-Care
2188 Gottingen Street - 9-storey mixed-use with 142 units (I've made a thread for this one)

[IanWatson]

AllNS reports this morning that St. Mark's Anglican on Gottingen (across from Shambala school) has a development proposal. Removal of the annex and replacement with 75 units through the heritage DA process. Cosmos Developments Ltd is the developer.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

AllNS reports this morning that St. Mark's Anglican on Gottingen (across from Shambala school) has a development proposal. Removal of the annex and replacement with 75 units through the heritage DA process. Cosmos Developments Ltd is the developer.

I see they are promoting a heritage meeting for this week on the 20th via a sign out front. The church is a registered heritage property. 75 units isn't huge, which makes me wonder if they are planning to integrate the church building somehow and develop the annex section.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I see they are promoting a heritage meeting for this week on the 20th via a sign out front. The church is a registered heritage property. 75 units isn't huge, which makes me wonder if they are planning to integrate the church building somehow and develop the annex section.

That's exactly it. This isn't far from me, and that's the idea: restore the church building, demolish the annex and build apartments there. There's already a developer on board, apparently.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

That's exactly it. This isn't far from me, and that's the idea: restore the church building, demolish the annex and build apartments there. There's already a developer on board, apparently.

Sounds like a very interesting project. Appreciate the updates!