[Dmajackson]

WM Fares Group has officially submitted a proposal for the vacant lands adjacent to Dunbrack Street between Knightsridge Drive and Wentworth Drive. The new mixed-use village would be called Rockingham South.

The proposal includes 69 single-family houses, 124 townhouse units, and 789 condo/apartment units in 13 buildings (nine 6-floors, and four 7-floors). Three new commercial buidlings would be erected along Dunbrack Drive. The proposal would include connecting Farnham Gate Drive, Wentworth Drive and Knightsridge Drive along with two new residential streets. New parkland would be added to Tremont Park along with a new parking lot for park users.

Case 17002 Details (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17002Details.html)

[halifaxboyns]

Ah good old 'special k' (well schedule) lol.

[someone123]

I always wondered what was going on with this parcel.

I think this is pretty good suburban development as it stands. The density is going to be in the 7,000-10,000 per square kilometre range (982 units in 55 acres -- hopefully we won't hear cries of anguish about this..). This whole development is within walking distance of Dunbrack, which is a viable transit route. There will be some commercial, there's some across the street, and there are other stores including a grocery store under 2 km away.

Interesting to note that they are finishing off Tremont Drive as a cul-de-sac so nobody can get through this development to the Bedford Highway. Also, another roundabout.

[DigitalNinja]

Man, WM Fares has a lot of projects on the go. They must be bringing in the money.

[Jstaleness]

I got curious about this one.

As per the case details page on the HRM website:

"HRM Planning Services is currently undertaking a high-level review of potential servicing capacity issues related to this application. At this time, staff do not anticipate moving this file forward to a public consultation process until at least September 2011. Please check often for status updates."

Well, September is here so hopefully will see updates soon.

[Dmajackson]

Public consultation for this project has been delayed until November at the earliest.

:cheers:

- DJ

[halifaxboyns]

Public consultation for this project has been delayed until November at the earliest.

:cheers:

- DJ

Perhaps WMF has taken on more than it can finance and is delaying the project to get some other stuff done?

[Dmajackson]

Project's been altered slightly; Case 17002 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case17002Details.html)

"48 single family dwellings;
146 townhouse dwelling units;
9 mixed use residential and commercial buildings varying in height from 6-8 storeys and containing a total of 828 multi-residential units;
2 commercial buildings along Dunbrack Street;
Connection to the local street network at the Farnham Gate/Dunbrack intersection, as well as connections at Knightsridge Drive and Wentworth Drive; and,
Parkland dedication focused on the existing Tremont Park."

- Project Summary from HRM Planning (site linked to above)

[fenwick16]

Project's been altered slightly; Case 17002 Details (http://halifax.ca/planning/Case17002Details.html)

"48 single family dwellings;
146 townhouse dwelling units;
9 mixed use residential and commercial buildings varying in height from 6-8 storeys and containing a total of 828 multi-residential units;
2 commercial buildings along Dunbrack Street;
Connection to the local street network at the Farnham Gate/Dunbrack intersection, as well as connections at Knightsridge Drive and Wentworth Drive; and,
Parkland dedication focused on the existing Tremont Park."

- Project Summary from HRM Planning (site linked to above)

I like the applicant's presentation - http://halifax.ca/planning/documents/17002PresentationByApplicantPIM.pdf. I recognized one small plaza on page 48/63 and 49/63 as being one that I go to often. It is this plaza - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=milton+ontario&hl=en&ll=43.52842,-79.836917&spn=0.026634,0.066047&client=firefox-a&hnear=Milton,+Halton+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario&gl=ca&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=43.528489,-79.83701&panoid=qr9Wf4CVj-wo9kIDPNquug&cbp=12,224.68,,0,11.81.

This looks like a great development. Hopefully it will really look like the presentation when completed.

[teddifax]

Wow, what a great development! The plans seem to be exceptional.

[someone123]

I think this sort of development should be more or less the norm for suburbs, or at least medium density suburbs like Clayton Park. There is very little advantage to having the scattered townhouses, apartment buildings, and parking lots. A large number of people like having a walkable neighbourhood and a town-like atmosphere but right now most areas like that are less affordable (downtown Dartmouth is an exception).

People also seem to like having large amounts of space, like they do in Hammonds Plains, but that type of development is less sustainable. I don't think it would be nearly as popular without subsidy.

[Keith P.]

That really looks good. It also looks like it would be pretty pricey.

[halifaxboyns]

Probably too early to say, but it looks like there would be underground powerlines so that will certainly add to the costs.

[Dmajackson]

Stage I development agreement is having its first reading on Monday night;

Case 17002 (http://www.halifax.ca/Commcoun/west/documents/Case17002RockinghamSouth.pdf)

[Dmajackson]

Large mixed-use project may start in fall
January 18, 2013 - 7:27pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

Preliminary work on a multimillion-dollar development in Rockingham will begin this fall, at the earliest.

W.M. Fares Group, on behalf of Sobeys Land Holding Ltd., has a pending application for a Stage 1 development agreement to have nearly 23 hectares rezoned to allow for the proposed Rockingham South subdivision.

The mixed-use development would be spread out over two properties around 69 Tremont Drive,

...

(rzaccagna@herald.ca)

Read More: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/468169-large-mixed-use-project-may-start-in-fall?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

[halifaxboyns]

Pretty good density in this proposal - can't wait to see the actual building elevations. I had family that lived in the semi-detached dwelling on Wentworth on the edge of this proposal - so glad to see it moving forward.

[someone123]

Pretty good density in this proposal - can't wait to see the actual building elevations. I had family that lived in the semi-detached dwelling on Wentworth on the edge of this proposal - so glad to see it moving forward.

I am looking forward to seeing Mainland Halifax areas densify a little more. I don't think it can happen fully without better transit service, but filling in the gaps might make a big difference.

It won't take a lot more new buildings for the Dutch Village Road area to feel like an "inner-city" type of neighbourhood with a decent mix of businesses within walking distance of lots of people.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I am looking forward to seeing Mainland Halifax areas densify a little more. I don't think it can happen fully without better transit service, but filling in the gaps might make a big difference.

It won't take a lot more new buildings for the Dutch Village Road area to feel like an "inner-city" type of neighbourhood with a decent mix of businesses within walking distance of lots of people.

The Fairview area is going to be a hub if all those developments go through... The St. Lawrence building is almost done, I don't trust the UG one, but there is also that Fares building on the other side towards bedford.

[Dmajackson]

The rezoning for this project was approved on Monday night.

The Stage I DA will head back to HWCC in a month or so.

[Dmajackson]

Stage I approval is scheduled for Monday, March 18th by the H&WCC

http://www.halifax.ca/Commcoun/west/documents/Case17002DAStage1RockinghamSouth.pdf