Quote:
Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian
The problem I have with caps on height is that once they are introduced, height restrictions only get worse.
Quinpool should have a few more 15 story residential towers. I don't think Quinpool centre was a failure at all, it actually works great... just that its ugly because it was built 30 years ago isn't a justifiable reason as to why new buildings won't be more attractive, energy efficient, and generally add to density...
Oh right, density is a bad word in Halifax. Let's just make everything 4 stories.
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I totally agree. I finally had a chance to go through the recent height mock ups for the Centre Plan. I found Quinpool to be, frankly disappointing. The same with Agricola.
I find the idea of restricting the commercial to only the lots fronting onto Quinpool to be pretty frustrating. By doing that, you guarentee driveways onto Quinpool which is a central artery into the core. I would've pushed the mixed use designation all the way back to Pepperell and Yale Street so that access could've been off the secondary street. But I would've pushed a provision that the nature of any building fronting to those streets must be residential (so dwelling units had to face those streets, in addition to looking onto Quinpool). The heights were a little disappointing as well. The 20 storey designation wasn't enough for me. I think the portion of Quinpool Place that is 43m, should be 71. Also the 43 metre area to the right of Quingate Place (to me) is also a logical location for 71 metres.
With Agricola, I was disappointed with the heights yet again. I was also disappointed that the area of Davison and John Streets weren't included. I also found it strange that the required streetfront commercial didn't go the length of Agricola - instead there is this wide gap where its not required. Agricola to me is a logical place for a new commercial street that is pedestrian friendly. If I had been able to get the John and Davison blocks included, I would've encouraged the block between Agricola and John street to be mixed use while the other block would be primarily residential. As to the maximum heights, I would've gone up into the 12 to 15 storey range myself and made all that was designated 29 metres up to 15 storeys with the exception of the area at North Street and West Street.
Did anyone also notice on the Robie Street designs that there is pretty much a new commercial strip being encouraged? I like that idea for Young Street but I'm not sure if Robie would work for a pedestrian oriented commercial area. I'd get that feeling along Robie Street between North and Almon, but where Robie opens up and gets wide - I don't know if I'd get the same feeling. But the heights in the area are certainly encouraging.