[Halifax] The Johnathan (2600 Beech) | 16 m | 5 fl | Completed

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Haliburger

As I understand it the as-of-right development allows 3 storeys, and the requested agreement for 5 storeys goes through some kind of approval process. What are the mechanics of that process? How much influence does the public have on the requested variance approval?

I THINK the public will have a chance to comment during information sessions and provide input directly to their councillors and planning staff. Those comments get compiled and included in planning staff's report to council. Council will make the call based on staff's professional opinion, comments of the public, and whether or not Gloria McClusky feels like punishing peninsular residents as retribution for projects she feels were unfairly foisted upon Dartmouth.

[JET]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I THINK the public will have a chance to comment during information sessions and provide input directly to their councillors and planning staff. Those comments get compiled and included in planning staff's report to council. Council will make the call based on staff's professional opinion, comments of the public, and whether or not Gloria McClusky feels like punishing peninsular residents as retribution for projects she feels were unfairly foisted upon Dartmouth.

That's not fair, that's not what she said. Her vote reflected her concern that staff are being inconsistent.



Posted Jan 14, 2015, 4:29 PM
Keith P.
Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,703

It doesn't excuse it, but I have noticed that as Gloria has aged, these kind of blunt, unfiltered comments come out of her more often. She was never particularly politically-correct anyway, so now it has just become worse. I have very mixed feelings on her. The opposition to the development on Prince Albert Road a few years ago, and scuttling Brightwood's plans to relocate a few years before that, was simply wrong. But she asks good questions, doesn't usually suffer fools and charlatans, and doesn't fall into the trend-of-the-day buzzword thinking that ones like MasonWatts do. This was a poorly-worded thing to say, but if I had to guess I would translate it into "I don't believe these planners are being consistent".

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by JET

That's not fair, that's not what she said. Her vote reflected her concern that staff are being inconsistent. ....

I don't know that it's unfair. It's definitely what was reported. She has never (to my knowledge) clarified

Quote attributed to Waye Mason in his op ed piece in the Chronicle Herald: "... said she was voting for [the proposal] necause bad development in Dartmouth had been approved and 'now it's Halifax's turn.'" http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion...munity-council

Described as "Revenge Vote": https://www.halifaxjournal.com/2015/...t-development/

Not fair to protect HRM's citizens who aren't in a position to vote for her: "... city planners approved buildings that didn’t fit the guidelines in Dartmouth, [therefore] she couldn’t vote against it and face her residents."
http://m.news957.com/2015/01/14/city...t-development/

Voted out of "spite"
http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/...d-out-of-spite

Bottom line - whether it was spite or because staff were "inconsistent" she felt it was a poor development and supported it anyway.