Quote:
Originally Posted by halifaxboyns
Every time I hear Alan Ruffman talk about plan amendments as an evil; I want to put my fist through the monitor. They aren't, they are a necessary tool. Turn the argument around - a lot of the Halifax plan dates back to the 90's (and some parts are as old as the 70's if I remember correctly). Is it reasonable to evaluate an application in 2015 based on 1990's thinking? Or even 1970's?! Of course not - thus a plan amendments gives Council the opportunity to consider the application in today's context.
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What's even worse is that the media often take these statements at face value without challenging them. I have often seen the as-of-right cutoffs conflated with viewplanes and other issues. Everything gets called "viewpanes" or "height limits" when in reality some of these things are meant to be adapted over time.
The current height limits really are not realistic for some lot types on Gottingen Street. If I remember correctly, one of the developers behind this project explained how the 40 storey limit is calculated starting from something less than the highest elevation point on the lot, so larger hilly lots only permit 1-2 storeys fronting onto Gottingen. That's not reasonable. The neighbourhood needs some medium density buildings.
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