Quite unbeliveable really...
Condo tower may get shorter
City, developer in talks; neighbours upset with north-end proposal
By CHRIS LAMBIE Business Editor
Thu, Jul 29 - 4:53 AM
Municipal planners are working with Sobeys-owned ECL Properties Ltd. to shrink an 11-storey condominium tower proposed for north-end Halifax, says the local councillor.
The building’s height has drawn fire from residents, Coun. Jerry Blumenthal (Halifax North End) said in a recent interview.
"Planning is working with ECL now because the height of the building is causing a little havoc," Blumenthal said.
"It’s in an area that the highest building is seven (storeys). Across the street there are sixes and sevens and fives. To put an 11-storey building there sort of changes the whole area."
He wouldn’t say exactly how much he would like to see the project shrink.
"I would like to see it a little smaller. I would like to see it fit in the area."
The proposed condominium tower would be surrounded by two-storey townhouses and commercial space on the site of the former St. Joseph’s Church, which was torn down last summer. The complex, on a property bounded by Kaye, Russell and Gottingen streets, would be called St. Joseph’s Square.
Virginia Bonn of ECL Properties could not be reached for comment.
"We have been talking about (changes), but I don’t have anything on paper and I’m not really sure what they’re going to come back with," said Patricia Hughes, a planner with Halifax Regional Municipality working on the project.
"We’ve batted around a few ideas, but until I have something on paper, it’s all up in the air."
The site is zoned for institutional development and parks. For construction to go ahead, council would have to approve a zoning change.
"We don’t like these things to drag out forever, so we are hoping to move forward one way or another in the near future," Hughes said Wednesday.
The developer has estimated that construction would take five years, create 340 jobs and bring in $2.5 million in taxes.
But Alec McCleave, who lives nearby, is opposed to the project, no matter what the height.
"My concern is this is just the thin edge, so to speak," McCleave said. "There’s going to be more and more highrise development in this area and I’m not too excited about this.
"This is a nice, residential community and suddenly it’s being overrun with apartment buildings. . . . It’s just compounding a density problem. I think this area’s going to end up like Vancouver the way things are going right now. Residents should stand up and say, ‘No, we don’t want the development.’ "
The empty lot, which neighbours two schools, would make an ideal spot for a park, he said.
"They’d get some public recognition and the residents would be happy," McCleave said.
"It’s time for Sobeys to step forward. They’ve got a community responsibility."
(
clambie@herald.ca)
‘It’s in an area that the highest building is seven (storeys). Across the street there are sixes and sevens and fives. To put an 11-storey building there sort of changes the whole area.’
Halifax North End councillor
Jerry Blumenthal