[Bedford] Bedford Commons

[Jstaleness]

I'm pro a Costo there. Yes, it may be close to both existing locations, but ya have to factor in the population boom that is happening.
If they have their rules that they want 250K population within so many kms from each store I get it. That being said, a 3rd Costco would make shopping at the existing 2 a much more pleasant experience for at least a little while.

I love driving in the GTA when you pass Costcos almost as much as a loblaws or sobeys. (Yes I know comparing HRM to GTA is apples to oranges)

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

A look on Google satellite view appears that there has been easement reserved for just such a purpose. Just speculation, though.

That’s actually just where the highway ran when they were building that overpass. I’m not sure that there is any extra ROW for ramps, but you’d think they would have thought of that.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

That’s actually just where the highway ran when they were building that overpass. I’m not sure that there is any extra ROW for ramps, but you’d think they would have thought of that.

Ah alright… so much for that theory.

[Corker]

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

Washmill Lake drive underpass. The expensive work has long been done. The cost of even to exiting ramps for leaving Bayer's Lake wouldn't cost much but the effect would be enormous and likely solve most of Bayer's lakes woes.

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

A look on Google satellite view appears that there has been easement reserved for just such a purpose. Just speculation, though.

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

That’s actually just where the highway ran when they were building that overpass. I’m not sure that there is any extra ROW for ramps, but you’d think they would have thought of that.

I couldn't find a reference to cite but I seem to recall hearing at the time that there wasn't enough distance between the Clayton Park and 103 overpasses to fit the additional on/off ramps and merge lanes to meet modern highway standards for an access at Washmill.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Corker

I couldn't find a reference to cite but I seem to recall hearing at the time that there wasn't enough distance between the Clayton Park and 103 overpasses to fit the additional on/off ramps and merge lanes to meet modern highway standards for an access at Washmill.

I could see that being the case, but then there isn't much room between the Dunbrack and 103 exits (unless they were grandfathered in).

Regardless, thinking about it further, I'm not sure how much difference it would make, TBH.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Corker

I couldn't find a reference to cite but I seem to recall hearing at the time that there wasn't enough distance between the Clayton Park and 103 overpasses to fit the additional on/off ramps and merge lanes to meet modern highway standards for an access at Washmill.

Keep in mind that in NS and in particular with the NS Dept of Transportation and Public Works, there is always a reason NOT to do something that other places seem to have no difficulty doing.

[Musquodoboit County]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...d-bedford-commons-neighborhood-1.7106894

This would be quite a change to the urban landscape in a good way. Why would anyone be against this?
If we are going to ever have commuter rail, we need density along the rail line.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...d-bedford-commons-neighborhood-1.7106894

This would be quite a change to the urban landscape in a good way. Why would anyone be against this?
If we are going to ever have commuter rail, we need density along the rail line.

Who is against it?

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Who is against it?

One guy on the CBC comment board has his shorts in a total knot over it. It's actually comical and a little pathetic at the same time.

[Musquodoboit County]

There's the usual suspects....
But on a urban design level, some city planners coming out of university are of the mindset that a project of this size needs to be closer to "city center" especially when you have whole areas north Dartmouth that doesn't even have this kind of density.

[Musquodoboit County]

I'm all for it because of the rail line.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Saul Goode

One guy on the CBC comment board has his shorts in a total knot over it. It's actually comical and a little pathetic at the same time.

Ahh... thanks. I tend to skip over the comment section as I often feel like I've had a lobotomy after I've read it. Then there's the 5 minutes of my life that I'll never get back...

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

There's the usual suspects....
But on a urban design level, some city planners coming out of university are of the mindset that a project of this size needs to be closer to "city center" especially when you have whole areas north Dartmouth that doesn't even have this kind of density.

I think that density nodes spread throughout the HRM is a good idea, but I'm not a planner right out of school. Make each individual node self-supporting (i.e. "walkable") and linked to other parts of the city by great transit. IMHO slamming all the population together in one small space bound by the harbour and the arm has never seemed like a winning combination to me, but I know that's not the popular idea here, generally.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Ahh... thanks. I tend to skip over the comment section as I often feel like I've had a lobotomy after I've read it. Then there's the 5 minutes of my life that I'll never get back... .

Oh, I hear you loud and clear on that one, brother!

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Who is against it?

Well Tim Bosquet for one. Mind you he was only mildly deriding it as sterile and lifeless and inaccessible. He was mostly using it as a personal attack on Halef and Banc because his knickers are still knotted up over Bloomfield being inactive. He of course believes it should have gone to a community arts group or some fool thing. At any rate he called Banc's finances into question postulating they could never afford to build this.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I think that density nodes spread throughout the HRM is a good idea, but I'm not a planner right out of school. Make each individual node self-supporting (i.e. "walkable") and linked to other parts of the city by great transit. IMHO slamming all the population together in one small space bound by the harbour and the arm has never seemed like a winning combination to me, but I know that's not the popular idea here, generally.

I completely agree with you. If we're to have real population growth (ie 1M and beyond in a few decades), this is by far the best approach. What do people think, they're going to somehow jam everyone on the peninsula into a bunch of short fat buildings?

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by kzt79

What do people think, they're going to somehow jam everyone on the peninsula into a bunch of short fat buildings?

They believe that this type of planning will somehow thwart growth and make Halifax unattractive. It will only lead to increases in housing costs and homelessness.

[Musquodoboit County]

Truth be told, there are really only two areas outside the "city center plan" that make sense for high end density right now. That is:
1. Bedford Commons /
2. Regency park Dr to washmill Lake Dr wooded area.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

Truth be told, there are really only two areas outside the "city center plan" that make sense for high end density right now. That is:
1. Bedford Commons /
2. Regency park Dr to washmill Lake Dr wooded area.

Not sure I'd agree with that. Portland Street from the Circ all the way to Bisset Road could go high-density, transit-oriented development. Similarly, Main Street from the Circ to the Akoma lands near Cherry Brook.

On the Halifax side there would be a lot of opportunity at Lacewood and Dunbrack.

[Musquodoboit County]

That makes sense. I guess I agree with you

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Not sure I'd agree with that. Portland Street from the Circ all the way to Bisset Road could go high-density, transit-oriented development. Similarly, Main Street from the Circ to the Akoma lands near Cherry Brook.

On the Halifax side there would be a lot of opportunity at Lacewood and Dunbrack.

Maybe you meant Penhorn Mall to Bisset and the construction is underway at Penhorn. I was driving Portland Street the other day envisioning just that thought and how many of the SFH's along the way will be receiving an offer they can't refuse in the next ten years.