[Dmajackson]

SSP Dmajackson 01's photo page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53383761@N07/5139881915/)

Indoor Soccer Facility (Mainland Commons) - October 30th, 2010

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/5139881915_534bf62e75_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

Forgot to mention this before but I noticed some work underway at the corner of Lacewood Drive and Fairfax Drive (near Swiss Chalet). It looked like a new building was under construction right at the corner. Can anybody confirm this or what it mgiht be?

[ScovaNotian]

If you mean the site that's discussed here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=183905) it seems to be a medical centre.

[Dmajackson]

If you mean the site that's discussed here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=183905) it seems to be a medical centre.

That would explain it ... I thought that was down towads Lacewood Square.

[Dmajackson]

Burnside News is reporting work has started on the Mount Hope Ave extension in Woodside. The link will connect it to the Circ interchange opened a couple of years ago and allow more land to be developed in the industrial park.

[Dmajackson]

Nothing significant but worth mentioning.

I saw a report for a proposed MPS/LUB ammendment in the Spryfield area for 286/290 Herring Cove Road. There was no renderings shown so I'm too lazy to find the report right now but it was for a four storey apartment building across from the Sobey's.

The report stated about six similar proposals have come forward for the lot since the 1970's and every single one was either withdrawn or rejected by council. However this was before the commercial projects across the street and the development of William's Lake Road nearby.

[Dmajackson]

Renderings and detailed information has been released for the 286/290 Herring Cove Road proposal.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/5179878809_9ac9dfe366_b.jpg
Rendering Source (http://halifax.ca/planning/Telecom/documents/16367ColourRendering.pdf)

Case 16367 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case16367Details.html)

[fenwick16]

:previous: Although I realize that this is a fairly common design type in the HRM, I like it. It looks like a decent place to live.

[Dmajackson]

Public information meeting for Case 16367 on January 27th, 2011 at Spry Centre beginning around 7pm.

See the two posts previous for the rendering. :)

[someone123]

Not sure where to put this but Allnovascotia mentioned a 12 storey building at 285 Uteck Boulevard. That is somewhat taller than the others in the area.

[Dmajackson]

Not sure where to put this but Allnovascotia mentioned a 12 storey building at 285 Uteck Boulevard. That is somewhat taller than the others in the area.

There's actually two of them proposed for the site.

I think the site up the street is going to be 9-10 floors as well.

Bedford is adding height to make up for the lack of it in town. :P

[Dmajackson]

Renderings and detailed information has been released for the 286/290 Herring Cove Road proposal.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/5179878809_9ac9dfe366_b.jpg
Rendering Source (http://halifax.ca/planning/Telecom/documents/16367ColourRendering.pdf)

Case 16367 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case16367Details.html)

Public Information Meeting for this proposal is tomorrow night (January 27th) at the Spry Centre starting at 7pm.

[someone123]

Hard to see but there are a few cranes in this picture. The white one on the horizon (fuzzy) really stands out -- whatever it's building will be highly visible:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5388912734_304f24f333_b.jpg
Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulwesson/5388912734/sizes/o/)

From a planning perspective I'm not a great fan of Uteck Blvd and environs but it has created a much more built-up landscape. The RIM building is also interesting. I think Halifax looks a lot bigger now than it did even 10 years ago.

[Dmajackson]

Proposed apartments would suit area, developer says
Building would have four storeys, 52 units
By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
Thu, Jan 27 - 4:54 AM

A proposal to build a new apartment complex on the Herring Cove Road in Spryfield reflects the changing nature of the streetscape, says Cesar Saleh of Halifax development company, WM Fares Group.

"We think a multiple unit residential would suit this location," he said in an interview on Wednesday.

Saleh is leading Fares’ application to build a four-storey, 52-unit apartment building at 286-290 Herring Cove Rd. on behalf of property owner Aboud Raymond Toulany.

The proposal, which Saleh said is in its very early stages, will be outlined at a public meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Captain William Spry Centre at 10 Kidston Road.

"We’re saying, here are the circumstances, what has changed and what we think is suitable," he said.

The project requires amendments to the municipal planning strategy and land-use bylaw amendments because the area’s current low-density zoning does not permit multi-use residential development on the lots, which are located south of Clovis Avenue and north of Williams Lake Road.

Regional council passed a motion last fall authorizing municipal staff to consider land use amendments that would allow the apartment development and others like it in the area, which has seen considerable commercial development in recent years.

The Herring Cove Road block the lots front on contains a large commercial building, a church with an associated private school and a small municipal park.

There are several commercial developments across the road from the properties, including a large Sobeys grocery store with an attached Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. retail store, a Blockbuster video outlet, a Wilsons Gas Stop and a Bell Aliant switching station.

The Herring Cove Road properties in question were, wholly or in part, the subject of seven planning applications between 1973 and 1990, two for commercial zoning and five for rezoning or development agreements to allow multi-unit residential buildings.

Only one of those applications was supported by staff and all of them were refused by the former Halifax city council, cancelled or withdrawn.

But Halifax Regional Municipality senior planner Luc Ouellet said increased commercial development and traffic along the stretch of Herring Cove Road that the lots are located on make it less desirable for the single family dwellings that once dominated the strip.

"An apartment might be better," he said a separate interview Wednesday.

Ouellet said the public meeting will gauge public opinion on changing municipal land-use bylaws and planning strategy regulations to allow the Fares development and others like it that may come forward.

Saleh said the meeting will be an opportunity for the developer and municipal staff to engage the community.

"We’re going to say what we think will work," he said

The project would freshen up the Herring Cove Road, which contains a number of older apartments on other blocks, Saleh said.

[Keith P.]

Renderings and detailed information has been released for the 286/290 Herring Cove Road proposal.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/5179878809_9ac9dfe366_b.jpg
Rendering Source (http://halifax.ca/planning/Telecom/documents/16367ColourRendering.pdf)

Case 16367 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case16367Details.html)


I guess the crack dealers are the ones driving the Lexus and the Audi SUV... :lmao:

[beyeas]

no, I don't see the neon license plates or chromed spinning wheel covers!

Must just be bored rich guys trolling... LOL

[Dmajackson]

So according to a source of mine Westwood Group is planning some sort of redevelopment of the two car lots on Portland Street near Eisner Boulevard.

Can anyone confirm or elaborate on this?

[Jonovision]

So according to a source of mine Westwood Group is planning some sort of redevelopment of the two car lots on Portland Street near Eisner Boulevard.

Can anyone confirm or elaborate on this?

I don't know anything about this but it would certainly be welcome. As long as its not more strip mall. I think the site could handle some medium density residential.

[Keith P.]

I don't know anything about this but it would certainly be welcome. As long as its not more strip mall. I think the site could handle some medium density residential.

Residential on that section of Portland St would be terrible. Extremely heavy traffic and surrounded by commercial development. Not very appealing.

[Dmajackson]

Found this;

http://www.dtzbarnicke.com/Client/JJB/JJBNA%20Web%20Listing%20db.nsf/5b1d91a237abc91f852570d800775fbc/96b392c1be38ed8f852577460055fc3a/$FILE/Hammonds%20Plains%20&%20kingswood%20flyer.pdf

It's the site plan for the south-east corner of Kingswood Drive and Hammonds Plains Road Warning the building is very ugly. :yuck:

[Jstaleness]

Seems like way too much parking to me.

[Charles J. White]

A Dartmouth councilor wants to introduce more viewplanes in Dartmouth. What is it with highrises in the Halifax area - why so much opposition?

There is a small but incredibly loud squeaky wheel which pretends to represent the majority which needs to be thrown out in the garbage, it is almost impossible to get any kind of height anywhere in the HRM without those malcontents getting there knickers in a knot.

[Charles J. White]

I wonder what Ultramar has planned for it's old refinery property in Eastern Passage now that the refinery is gone, and the storage facility is slowly shutting down. A lot of land and waterfront sitting there waiting to be developed. A future school perhaps? A good spot to put up some high rises, big ones at that with views of Lawlors Island and McNabs Island.

[MonctonRad]

I wonder what Ultramar has planned for it's old refinery property in Eastern Passage now that the refinery is gone, and the storage facility is slowly shutting down. A lot of land and waterfront sitting there waiting to be developed. A future school perhaps? A good spot to put up some high rises, big ones at that with views of Lawlors Island and McNabs Island.

I'll betcha the rehabilitation costs for this particular piece of brownfield would be astronomical!!

No sane developer would be interested in this property. My prediction is that the refinery will be demolished and the land will remain fallow for at least a century.

[Jstaleness]

No sane developer would be interested in this property. My prediction is that the refinery will be demolished and the land will remain fallow for at least a century.

If you can't put residential here than it should at least become some sort of transportation hub. Park and ride or park and ferry. Something like that.

[Dmajackson]

An ANS article in today's edition claims the former Tower Interiors building at 592 Bedford Highway has been purchased by a developer and there are plans to erect a four-storey mixed-use building on site that will house residential rentals and some office space.

This sounds to me like an adequate use of the land but it is far too conservative IMO. The site is located just south of Larry Uteck and is wedged between multiple-unit sites to the north and south including including the Terrace and Saunslieve Apartments. I think the developer should push the height to 6 or 8 stories. This increase would see more density for one of the Highways "village centres". The lower three floors should be for office use and be built full-out on the street frontage but with a nice setback for a sidewalk and small landscaped area. The residential portion of three to five stories would be setback from the base significantly and be targetted towards students and other bus-friendly citizens. All residential and employee parking would be provided underground while customer parking would be limited to a few spots above ground.

[TheNovaScotian]

MonctonRad i completely disagree with you, the oil refinery is of paramount importance to this city and province. The jobs and money that flow into the economy from it, the jobs alone trump any idea of turning it into a bunch of highrises. Whats the point of having homes for people when you get rid of their places of work, The reality is the refinery, the storage facility and the industrial area of Woodside are crucial to the overall economic health of Halifax. The strategic importance of the refinery is huge, situated right next to Shearwater, it allows the gas burned in our cars to be produced here so our supply is rarely interrupted.

The old Ultramar refinery lands back unto a greenbelt that wraps around Eastern Passage and if only a minimal amount of the contaminated area was used for parking and low use areas, with some creative thinking i think that area would be perfect for the long overdue high school and would be a boost to the shops and stores in Eastern Passage and may lead to ramping up the density along the corridor leading to the all the new suburban developments off Caldwell and Cow Bay

[Dmajackson]

A long forgotten project in Dartmouth ... The Admiral Street Retirement Building;

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6000265590_a34828b311_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

News out in AllNovaScotia tonight stating Killiam is planning a new 63-unit apartment building to be called S2. The projected cost is $14-million and its aiming for LEED Certification.

According to the article it will be located next to Saunslieve Apartments on the Bedford Highway. I remember hearing a while back about a new building for Charlotte Lane (which is also Killiam owned) so I believe this will be it. If I am correct it will be somewhere within This Bing Satellite View (http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=rfg6tx9pv8vx&lvl=17&dir=0&sty=b&form=LMLTCC)

[Dmajackson]

New building on Solutions Drive to be called The Litchfield;

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6114220150_54e541646b_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6113678207_534f659dfb_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

New proposal for the Mainland Commons area of Clayton Park. As part of the development of the Washmill Lake Drive Extension lands. So this is basically a sister project of the recently approved Panorama. This proposal is for 'Block A' which will be accessed via Greenpark Close. The site layout and renderings show a cliche suburban development of two seven storey apartment buildings surrounded by parking lots and forest.

Case 16991 Details (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case16991Details.html)
Site Plan (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/documents/16991SitePlan.pdf)
Elevations/Basic Renderings (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/documents/16991Elevations.pdf)
Air Photo of Clayton Park West Phase 5 (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/documents/16991AirPhotoPhase5.pdf)

[Dmajackson]

Portland Street plans
Chedrawe to break ground in fall for retail buildings
By CHRIS LAMBIE Business Editor
Mon, Sep 26 - 4:55 AM

DARTMOUTH — Developer Danny Chedrawe is planning a $10-million commercial project for Portland Street.

The president of Westwood Developments Ltd. expects to close a deal later this month to buy the two-hectare property that used to house Steele Auto Group’s Mazda dealership.

"We’re purchasing the former Mazda dealership and we’re building a commercial development on it," Chedrawe said.

"We’re hoping to start that in October."

Steele has already moved its Mazda dealership to its new digs on Baker Drive in Russell Lake West.

Chedrawe is planning to build two commercial buildings on the former car dealership site. One will be 6,000 square feet and the other will be twice that size.

Chedrawe wouldn’t name the two national retail tenants that will occupy the buildings.

"They have to make their own announcements. I can’t talk on their behalf."

The construction on the two buildings should be completed by next May, Chedrawe said.

Westwood Developments has several other projects on the go around the municipality. Those include a $25-million apartment building in north-end Halifax and a $10-million, four-storey office complex on Spring Garden Road that will house a TD Canada Trust branch.

The company also owns the Millstone Square Shopping Centre in Russell Lake West. That 72,000-square-foot complex is anchored by Sobeys and Kent Building Supplies.

( clambie@herald.ca)

[Jstaleness]

Glad to hear that this won't be a vacant lot for long. It would be nice to have some residential above the retail. With the superstore in the backyard it wouldn't be a bad spot to live aside from the noise of Portland St.

Speaking of Portland. Is the lot across the street becoming a Gas Station again? Corner of Eisner and Portland.

[HaliStreaks]

Portland Street plans
Chedrawe to break ground in fall for retail buildings...

Wow.. that's going to be a whole new corner, the old Esso had been torn down opposite to this a couple years back, and now it's being replaced by (I think) a superstore gas bar (with the portland street market being right beside it basically) the lot which housed the former mazda is a pretty good sized chunk of prime location land (as far as the suburbs go, lol) it should be interesting to see how this goes..

[-Harlington-]

I cant seem to find the thread for this so ill post it here
Indoor soccer facility near Halifax West high school :



http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6311181292_089f9a9aa5_z.jpg

[-Harlington-]

Hospital housing development in Woodside :

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz269/6sean/104_1302.jpg

[Jstaleness]

Wow.. that's going to be a whole new corner, the old Esso had been torn down opposite to this a couple years back, and now it's being replaced by (I think) a superstore gas bar (with the portland street market being right beside it basically) the lot which housed the former mazda is a pretty good sized chunk of prime location land (as far as the suburbs go, lol) it should be interesting to see how this goes..

Drove by this am and the gas station is up and running. Looks nice for a gas station.

[Empire]

Hospital housing development in Woodside :

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz269/6sean/104_1302.jpg

Don't like these units at all. What are they supposed to represent? They don't blend with, or enhance the surroundings. They are faux chalets for the overindulged with mostly cheap materials and a bad design.

I bet they win some sort of HRM award...............

[Dmajackson]

Renderings and detailed information has been released for the 286/290 Herring Cove Road proposal.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/5179878809_9ac9dfe366_b.jpg
Rendering Source (http://halifax.ca/planning/Telecom/documents/16367ColourRendering.pdf)

Case 16367 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case16367Details.html)

Not sure why but there is a second public information meeting scheduled for this project.

Public Information Meeting - Case 16367
When: Wed, 15 February, 19:00 – 21:00
Where: 10 Kidston Road, Halifax, NS B3R 1N8 (Captain William Spry Centre - Multi-Purpose Room)
Description: Back up meeting date in case of inclement weather is Feb. 22

Case 16367
Application by WM Fares Group for the lands of 3156293 Nova Scotia Limited and Aboud Raymond Toulany to consider amending the Municipal Planning Strategy for Halifax and the Land Use Bylaw for Halifax Mainland to permit multi-unit residential development at 286/290 Herring Cove Road, Halifax.

[Keith P.]

Another hideous cookie-cutter low rise.

[Hali87]

I don't think this is hideous at all. Plain, maybe, but nicer than similar scaled buildings on the Peninsula and Parkland Drive area from the last 10 years or so. The proportions look nice and the entrance meets the street instead of hiding behind a massive parking lot.

[Dmajackson]

Tidbit from The Burnside News (http://www.burnsidenews.com/)

• Woodside: The province is investing in the preliminary design leading to the expansion and renovation of the Dartmouth General Hospital as part of the province's Jobs and Building Plan to make life better for families. The preliminary design, to be completed by summer 2012, is the first phase of work to renovate the hospital's vacant fifth floor. The plan will add two operating rooms and up to 51 inpatient beds to Dartmouth General. A request for proposal for this work will be issued in the New Year and will help determine the exact details of the plan.

[Dmajackson]

Construction on $10m project to end Sept. 1
January 16, 2012 - 8:35pm BY JOANN ALBERSTAT BUSINESS REPORTER

Dartmouth residents will soon be able to grab a cup of java, pick up prescriptions and do their banking all at one Portland Street location.

A $10-million commercial development on the site of two former car dealerships will include a Shoppers Drug Mart, CIBC and a Second Cup.

...

Read More Here (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/52720-construction-10m-project-end-sept-1)

[Jstaleness]

Nice. The Second Cup is the best news for me! I use the Superstore there all the time and will enjoy a proper cup of coffee while I get my groceries.

[Northend Guy]

Apparently Sunlife is going to be building a 3-storey office building up next to the Xwave building in the Regency Park area. I haven't noticed a thread for it yet, but thought it was worth mentioning.

[Haligonian88]

Just what we needed, more Walmart. I guess it's better than the Zellers sitting empty.

Walmart to open three new stores in N.S.
February 7, 2012 - 1:28pm BY JOANN ALBERSTAT BUSINESS REPORTER

Walmart Canada’s $750-million capital plan for the upcoming year will include at least three new stores in Nova Scotia, the retail giant confirmed Tuesday.

Walmart will convert Zellers locations in Greenwood, North Sydney and Cole Harbour to its brand either this year or early in 2013.

... http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/60183-walmart-open-three-new-stores-ns

[cormiermax]

Walmart's wouldn't be as bad if there stores weren't so tasteless and un Canadian. Most Canadian chains are able to build a decent looking store, while the American chains all seem to have to be faux historic crap, or giant blue monsters.

[Haligonian88]

Some more urban sprawl! Good thing we have such a great transit system :haha:

Firm applies to build 609 housing units
February 20, 2012 - 7:45pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

A massive multimillion-dollar development is being proposed for the Porters Lake area.

Genivar Consultants, on behalf of a numbered company and Fieldstone Developments Ltd., subsidiaries of the Penney Group of St. John’s, N.L., has applied to build an open space development on about 245 hectares in Porters Lake, about two kilometres north of Exit 20 on Highway 107.

The proposal calls for 609 units to be built in “classic open space” form, with the dwellings constructed in clusters that will be serviced by a public road that winds through the development and connects the existing Alps Road and Conrod Settlement Road.

Housing will vary from 397 single-detached homes, two 20-unit buildings and 43 four-unit townhouses.

...

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/65191-firm-applies-build-609-housing-units

[cormiermax]

It would be nice if this was stopped, but something tells me it wont be.

[Jstaleness]

Well, the Penny Group based out of St. Johns know's a thing or two about Sprawl!

[someone123]

Wow, that's way out in the middle of nowhere, something like 15 km east of the edge of Dartmouth. It doesn't seem like an appropriate location for that sort of development.

[halifaxboyns]

Here (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17463Details.html) are the case details of that big open space development.

[halifaxboyns]

Plan would see 634 ‘classic open-space’ homes built on 256 hectares over 10 years

A massive $160-million development near Porters Lake could take up to 10 years to build.

Seven Lakes Developments Inc., a joint-venture between the Penney Group and NuCove Property Holdings Ltd., both of St. John’s, N.L., has applied to build an open-space development on about 256 hectares in Porters Lake, about two kilometres north of Exit 20 on Highway 107.

The proposal calls for 634 units to be built in “classic open-space” form, with the dwellings constructed in clusters that will be serviced by a public road that winds through the development and connects the existing Alps and Conrod Settlement roads.

It is hoped that a development agreement can be obtained by October, with construction starting early next year.

Housing will vary from more than 400 single-detached homes to two 20-unit buildings to 43 four-unit townhouses.

About 50 to 80 units would be built each year, said Gail Fowlow of the Penney Group, which will be managing the project.

“But, obviously, we have to test the market, so we’ll be testing it with smaller phases, so we’ll be evaluating and re-evaluating and changing based on what that market is telling us and also what that design committee is telling us. So we have some flexibility to alternate the unit mix that ultimately is built.”

The design and concept of the development is being undertaken by Genivar Consultants and Caliber Consulting Ltd., of Nova Scotia. Hunt Design Associates Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ont., will design the units.

But the development will be distinctly Nova Scotian.

“We’re trying to make it look like it belongs in Nova Scotia,” Fowlow said. “So this is not an Ontario look, this is not a Vancouver look, it’s colonial and bringing in the best of what Nova Scotia is.”

What those units will ultimately look like, however, will be up to the community. The company has set up a website, www.sevenlakescommunity.com, where residents can sign up to be part of a design review committee that will include all stakeholders.

So far, at least 14 people have signed up.

“We’ve asked members of the community to join in that and give us their feedback so that we can really make the homes exactly what they want,” Fowlow said.

“The nuances of how people want to live is something that we’re putting time into coming to understand.”

The original design called for 609 units over 245 hectares, but 11 more hectares were added.

“One of the reasons for that is our client has just recently secured some additional lands that enabled us to take the road out of the wetland area that currently we had no choice but to go through,” said Nick Pryce of Genivar.

The rest of the story is found here (http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/68994-new-porters-lake-development-will-be-distinctly-nova-scotian).

While I'm not a big fan of this proposal - it's significant enough to warrent it's own thread?

[cormiermax]

That sounds just awful.

[beyeas]

By "classic" I can only assume that they mean 1950's suburban planning.

[Wishblade]

Ugh, just more sprawl.

Am I the only one who thinks the world is reaching a point now where people shouldn't live how they want to live but how they should be living? These types of communities can't just continue on being built forever. There has to be a point where people need to be forced or atleast given major incentive to live in denser neighbourhoods. Forgive me if it sounds a bit harsh, but these types of developments really get under my skin.

[DigitalNinja]

"We don't own the world, the world owns us."

I don't mean that statement to be like a hippie. BUT I say it to stress the fact that the more forest we use, more accessable for cars, larger homes, further away etc etc... We build it is hurting the envionment. As well as making the world look ugly.

I'm fine with people owning larger houses, I'm in one myself. But not if land is going to be over 1 acre. Not if the majority of people who live there drive around in their big SUV sucking up gas.

You can build a smart suburbia. And I don't think that "classical" suburbia is very smart.

[macgregor]

Ugh, just more sprawl.

Am I the only one who thinks the world is reaching a point now where people shouldn't live how they want to live but how they should be living? These types of communities can't just continue on being built forever. There has to be a point where people need to be forced or atleast given major incentive to live in denser neighbourhoods. Forgive me if it sounds a bit harsh, but these types of developments really get under my skin.

With the city doing Capital Cost Contributions, it is a step in the right direction. I don't know enough about them to say if the homebuyers are paying 100% of the cost to build though. Otherwise development can be more sustainable if we implement:

1. Gas tax increase. Simple and effective.

2. Tax reform for homeowners to pay for "cost of services" instead of "level of service" or current "assessment x rate".

[halifaxboyns]

Part of getting people to 'live where they should' is really looking at building complete communities. The comments in the Tim Bosquet article from some people about the Dartmouth Cove project area really telling that some wanted only 6 stories but when the economic reality sinked in to get the 'complete vision' of what they want, there would have to be some taller buildings - it seems that went over relatively well.

You can plunk 50 stories buildings anywhere - but doesn't it create a complete community? I'd say no. This gets back to what Larry Beasley did with the Vancouver model and what I've thought for sometime about the desire for condo living in Halifax: we are under built.

Beasley's vision for Vancouver was a recognition that if you build 'vertical villages' (his term) instead of sprawling suburbs - the needs of those residents are no different than those in a suburb - they need parks, community centres, recreation, fire, police, etc. I've always believed that this should be paid for by the developer upfront. That seems to be the only fair way and if it makes the cost of the units more, then it does. But it has to happen somewhere.

This is why I've been saying that if you treat density/height as a commodity, then the more you want, the more you pay for public benefit. So that would mean a developer pays for things like LRT/Streetcar, recreation facilities, parks, etc. But this way you would end up with money to make sure communities are complete, have everything they need. This is why I get nervous when people get upset with mid-rise development around the Hydrostone. I'm not surprised this is happening, this is very walkable and complete community. It's showing the desire for people to WANT to live there...which should be encouraged and supported.

[someone123]

You have to take complaints about midrises around the Hydrostone with a huge grain of salt. The people living there are probably already happy with their housing and expect that, regardless of what is built around them, the city will subsidize their neighbourhood to maintain service levels indefinitely. The services may not work out and current residents are not the only ones with housing needs. If 3,000 more people work in the shipyards then 10,000 people or more will be looking for housing around that area. It is very important that these people find housing in a good part of the city. If they move out to the sticks they will increase traffic and still cause plenty of problems for Hydrostone residents.

As macgregor mentioned the disconnect between servicing costs and taxes paid is a big problem with the current tax system. There was a report a few years back that showed that taxes paid by district varied tremendously and were not, in fact, correlated with the cost of providing services. Many councillors don't want to amend this system because their district benefits, but from a planning perspective the city should encourage people to make decisions that make economic sense. If the city subsidizes inefficient living arrangements through a poorly-designed tax system then it will get inefficient subdivisions and will have to deal with bigger and bigger deficits as time goes on. So far regional council has dealt with this by shifting the burden onto commercial property taxes, but eventually if this continues the deficits will grow and there won't be enough money to prop up outlying areas that aren't paying their own way.

Realistically I do not know if the tax reform could work out, but encouraging lots of infill (for tens of thousands of people in the urban core) instead of exurban development could fix a big part of the problem while avoiding some political pitfalls. Downtown funding and tax breaks could also help.

[Hali87]

"We don't own the world, the world owns us."

I don't mean that statement to be like a hippie. BUT I say it to stress the fact that the more forest we use, more accessable for cars, larger homes, further away etc etc... We build it is hurting the envionment. As well as making the world look ugly.

I'm fine with people owning larger houses, I'm in one myself. But not if land is going to be over 1 acre. Not if the majority of people who live there drive around in their big SUV sucking up gas.

You can build a smart suburbia. And I don't think that "classical" suburbia is very smart.

"Classic suburbia" is a bit of a misnomer here. The "classic" suburbs based on the American Levittown model and British Garden City model were actually very pedestrian-friendly and easily served by transit (since most of these formed when streetcars were still commonplace). Although now considered part of the city, areas like Fairview, Westmount and the Hydrostone were developed along these classic suburban ideals. I guess areas like Clayton Park, Sackville, and Cole Harbour are "classic" in the sense that they're "typical" suburbs (what I like to refer to as 905-style - perhaps higher density but very auto-oriented).

This development in particular sounds like it will be a lot like Kingswood or Brookside. This is in no way a typical suburb (more along the lines of "cottage country") and is a type of development that is not very common in suburbs outside of Atlantic Canada and perhaps New England. It basically carries on the rural-colonial tradition, except back in colonial days this type of development made much more sense because the people living in these types of communities tended not to commute to the city very often.

[bluenoser]

For any Fall River enthusiasts, here is a proposal for a 4-6 storey residential addition to the Inn on the Lake, scheduled to start next Spring.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/InnontheLake.JPG
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/94172-inn-on-the-lake-owners-challenge-changing-market

The current design:
http://www.choicehotels.com/media/eBrochure/ebrochure/CN/CN910/CN910A1.JPG
http://www.choicehotels.com/media/eBrochure/ebrochure/CN/CN910/CN910A1.JPG

It's hard to tell from the rendering if the new addition will fit in or just look tacky. I think the former, because these owners seem to have a sense of quality - they brought the hotel to where it is from a pretty ugly 70s motel.

[Jonovision]

Saw a crane up for what looks like something around 8 floors in Portland Estates yesterday. Anyone know what its for?

[Pete Crawford]

Ummm, where exactly in Portland Estates was it?

[HaliStreaks]

Saw a crane up for what looks like something around 8 floors in Portland Estates yesterday. Anyone know what its for?

Indeed I do! it's up in Portland Hills, actually and it's for a condo going up at the end of Pebble Creek crescent/Aquavista Lane? It's here (https://maps.google.ca/?ll=44.658664,-63.498477&spn=0.004083,0.009634&t=h&z=17) I'm not sure if it's part of that Aquavista thing or not.. I noticed it because I took a drive down Cherrywood (the next street up the hill) and realized I was eye-level with a tower crane... lol :haha:

[kph06]

Photos of the Portland Hills crane by me:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7426422644_242e8034a2_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5198/7426422334_316f896c6c_b.jpg

[Wishblade]

Looks a lot like the crane they used on Trillium. I'd be willing to wager that it is actually.

[kph06]

Looks a lot like the crane they used on Trillium. I'd be willing to wager that it is actually.

Yeah, it's the same one, Arnoldin Formwork runs it.

[HaliStreaks]

Photos of the Portland Hills crane by me:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7426422644_242e8034a2_b.jpg

Great shots, I still haven't gotten a chance to go and check it out myself. also *gag*.. (I feel like I need to be doing some over-dramatic 60's era star trek death scene here) so... much....wasted...room..on....surface..parking :hell::slob::(

[Dmajackson]

I don't usually post things about Hammonds Plains here but anyways;

- A new Esso Gas Station is going up at the Kingswood/Gatehouse/HPR intersection. This "center" of HP now has a church, strip mall, gas station and some sort of other retail node proposed at all four corners.

- Hammonds Plains Road Widening Phase III is now underway. See its thread in the the transportation section for more info.

- Kingswood North is now connected through to Lucasville Road. I do not know how but this is laid out worse then its southern counterpart.

- Road repaving this summer will result in new paved shoulders for cyclists/pedestrians on the high speed portion of HPR (somewhere between Westwood and Pockwock).

[Dmajackson]

^Just to throw onto that list;

- HPR @ Glen Arbour Way will be signalized later this year.
- Perry Pond (http://www.armcocommunities.com/OurFiles/PerryPondPhase1.pdf) will be going up soon off of Pockwock Road on the western side near HPR

[someone123]

Great shots, I still haven't gotten a chance to go and check it out myself. also *gag*.. (I feel like I need to be doing some over-dramatic 60's era star trek death scene here) so... much....wasted...room..on....surface..parking :hell::slob::(

The back end of those townhouses looks awful too. It's like a giant barn covered with vinyl siding. On top of that they get the lovely parking lot view...

[Dmajackson]

Work begins on Clayton Park West office building
September 11, 2012 - 7:54pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

Construction on a new class A office building in Clayton Park West has begun.

Work on Ravine Centre Two, a three-storey, 48,000-square-foot building that will be next to Ravine Centre One at 36 Solutions Dr., is underway and being undertaken by Bird Design-Build Construction Inc.

“Right now, excavators are on site doing the site work in preparation for pouring concrete,” said Brian Lugar, vice-president and managing broker of Novacorp Properties Ltd

...

Read More Here: Thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/134912-work-begins-on-clayton-park-west-office-building?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

[Dmajackson]

New Armco Community proposed for the Beechville area just in behind Bayers Lake;

Case 18708 (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case18078Details.html)

Public Information Meeting - Monday, November 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Beechville Baptist Church Hall, 1352 Saint Margarets Bay Road, Beechville.

Armco proposes mixed-residential Beechville subdivision
2012/11/08
By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

A multimillion-dollar subdivision is being proposed for the Halifax suburb of Beechville.

Armco Capital Inc. is looking to build a mixed-residential development with up to 306 units on 20 hectares of land just off St. Margarets Bay Road. It would be completed by 2019.

The development, proposed for four Armco properties near Lovett Lake, would include a minimum of 155 single-detached units, with the rest comprised of semi-detached and townhome units, parkland and, in addition, a commercial element on a 0.35-hectare parcel of land.

...

(rzaccagna@herald.ca)

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.mobi/business/166344-armco-proposes-mixed-residential-beechville-subdivision?utm_source=email&utm_medium=business-insider&utm_campaign=business-insider)

[Dmajackson]

Renderings and detailed information has been released for the 286/290 Herring Cove Road proposal.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/5179878809_9ac9dfe366_b.jpg
Rendering Source (http://halifax.ca/planning/Telecom/documents/16367ColourRendering.pdf)

Case 16367 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case16367Details.html)

The second PIM that was cancelled back in January has been rescheduled. The cases website hasn't been updated but I heard rumours it is vastly different now;

Public Information Meeting - Case 16367

Thu, 29 November, 19:00 – 21:00
10 Kidston Road, Halifax, NS (Captain William Spry Centre (Multi-Purpose Room)

Case 16367 Application by W M Fares Group for the lands of 3156293 Nova Scotia Limited and Aboud Raymond Toulany to consider amending the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and the Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law to permit a multi-unit residential development at 286/290 Herring Cove Road, Halifax.

The case will also investigate future development options for land within the study area shown below, and where appropriate, consider amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law.

[Keith P.]

^^^ That looks like every, every recent suburban low-rise apartment built in these parts. They must have a factory churning out components for this design in China.

[Hali87]

^^^ That looks like every, every recent suburban low-rise apartment built in these parts. They must have a factory churning out components for this design in China.

I don't really see it. Think of the apartments off Larry Uteck, Parkland, or Mount Royal. This doesn't really look like any of them, not particularly original looking or anything, but at least a bit different.

[cormiermax]

Looks awful.

[Keith P.]

I don't really see it. Think of the apartments off Larry Uteck, Parkland, or Mount Royal. This doesn't really look like any of them, not particularly original looking or anything, but at least a bit different.

That's why I said "low-rise". I was specifically excluding the ones you mention since they are of a different class and generally taller. But this design is being built everywhere around here. It is an evolution of the Highfield Park Special that was built everywhere int he '80s.

[Dmajackson]

Please note the rendering above is no longer proposed;

"At the second public information meeting, the applicant will present their revised proposal for a commercial daycare and multi-unit residential building at 286/290/292 Herring Cove Road. No decisions will be made at the meeting."

[worldlyhaligonian]

Please note the rendering above is no longer proposed;

"At the second public information meeting, the applicant will present their revised proposal for a commercial daycare and multi-unit residential building at 286/290/292 Herring Cove Road. No decisions will be made at the meeting."

Thank god!

[fenwick16]

For any Fall River enthusiasts, here is a proposal for a 4-6 storey residential addition to the Inn on the Lake, scheduled to start next Spring.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/InnontheLake.JPG
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/94172-inn-on-the-lake-owners-challenge-changing-market

The current design:
http://www.choicehotels.com/media/eBrochure/ebrochure/CN/CN910/CN910A1.JPG
http://www.choicehotels.com/media/eBrochure/ebrochure/CN/CN910/CN910A1.JPG

It's hard to tell from the rendering if the new addition will fit in or just look tacky. I think the former, because these owners seem to have a sense of quality - they brought the hotel to where it is from a pretty ugly 70s motel.



There are additional details on the halifax.ca website - http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17651Details.html. It looks like a fairly substantial expansion.

[-Harlington-]

Tender to demolish Halifax building accidentally leaked



CBC News
Posted: Jan 16, 2013 5:12 PM AT
Last Updated: Jan 16, 2013 7:24 PM AT



A call for tenders to demolish an abandoned community centre in Halifax sent officials scrambling and had locals scratching their heads on Wednesday.

The Northcliffe Recreation Centre has been boarded up for almost two years as the city decides what to do with the building and surrounding land.

On Wednesday morning a notice appeared on the Government of Nova Scotia tenders page asking for bids to demolish the building.

The trouble is neither senior staff at city hall nor the local councilor knew anything about that. The tender was rescinded after CBC inquiries determined the demolition hadn't been approved by council.

The fate of the former community centre will be discussed by council next month.

[Dmajackson]

When I was home in December I noticed a site under construction at the Washmill Lake Overpass. It turns out its at 110-112 Greenpark Close and I managed to stumble across the Kijiji Ad (http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-real-estate-apartments-condos-2-bedroom-NEW-CONSTRUCTION-112-GREENPARK-CLOSE-SEPTEMBER-2013-W0QQAdIdZ460160122) which led me to their tidbit on the Starboard Place website; 112 Greenpark Close (http://www.starboardplace.com/112-greenpark-close-2/)

The site has approval for a seven-storey building and the rendering in the ad looks a lot like Starboard Place. Occupancy is slated for September (2013).

[-Harlington-]

There is also town houses going up on washmill lake dr right now as well, a few of them are almost complete it looks