[Halifax] The Vuze at South Village (Fenwick) | 106 m | 36/10/8 fl | U/C

[CorbeauNoir]

Originally Posted by Northend Guy

Just a reminder of this - the public hearing is tonight! We will know whether this development will proceed soon!

If I wasn't running on two hours of sleep and feeling mentally burnt-out from our design pinup I'd be really interested in going to this...

[halifaxboyns]

Because of the need for MPS amendments (which have to be approved by the Province) the DA won't be considered tonight. So it will only be the MPS amendments and the PCC will have to consider the DA after the Province approves them - that's what the presentation clarified.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Because of the need for MPS amendments (which have to be approved by the Province) the DA won't be considered tonight. So it will only be the MPS amendments and the PCC will have to consider the DA after the Province approves them - that's what the presentation clarified.

Yah that's what I was about to post.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Yah that's what I was about to post.

I should have known when I saw MPS amendments - you can't do a DA without the policy to support it. It's the same out here - we can't rezone land, if the policy doesn't support it (or a future land use map doesn't show the right designation).

[halifaxboyns]

God Bev Miller is dramatic.

[Dmajackson]

"I could talk for 5 hours not just 5 minutes on this project" - Bev Miller

Yes I'm sure she could. She could talk for hours about a missing stop sign on a gravel road in Ecum Secum.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

"I could talk for 5 hours not just 5 minutes on this project" - Bev Miller

Yes I'm sure she could. She could talk for hours about a missing stop sign on a gravel road in Ecum Secum.

Jono is up now.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Jono is up now.

Good job Jono. You made all of us forumers proud.

I envy your college degree by the way ...

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Good job Jono. You made all of us forumers proud.

I envy your college degree by the way ...

I agree and glad his comments were repeated by a councillor. Well done.

[halifaxboyns]

And with that - approved. Now to wait on the Province and then the DA.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

And with that - approved. Now to wait on the Province and then the DA.

Assuming the Province doesn't do anything out of the blue we should have the fnal answer for this proposal on March 14th, 2011 at Peninsula Community Council.

[DigitalNinja]

Awesome I hope this all goes through fine.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by DigitalNinja

Awesome I hope this all goes through fine.

It's extremely rare that the NS government has found issue with policies approved by Council's. I know of only one circumstance and as I recall it was the Town of Truro. All the government did was fire it back to the Council (because there was concern over the public hearing) and gave them directions to hold the hearing again with specific instructions. They did it over, made sure everyone who had been there was there - approved it and it was fine.

[Jonovision]

Thanks guys. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily things went. That was one of the shortest and easiest public hearings I've ever attended for a downtown development. It was so great to hear councils resounding support for this amazing development.

[Jonovision]

Council OKs changes for Fenwick Tower project


By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE

City Hall Reporter

Council authorized changes to municipal planning and land-use rules Tuesday so the proposed redevelopment of Fenwick Tower can go ahead.

Halifax regional councillors approved the site-specific amend­ments after a public hearing at city hall that elicited conflicting opinions about the planned pro­ject, which an executive with the developer, Templeton Properties of Halifax, has said could be worth more than $100 million when it’s finished.

The mixed-use redevelopment calls for the existing 33-storey apartment building on Fenwick Street in south-end Halifax to be expanded and re-cladded and structures of 10 and eight storeys added on the site. Townhouse­style dwellings would also be built.

The project is to include com­mercial space as well as apart­ments.

Now the issue goes to Penin­sula community council.

Templeton bought the tower in 2009. Dalhousie University had long operated a student residence there.

Council heard from 12 people in favour of the project, plus the developer, and five opponents.

Supporters said the planned redevelopment would improve the neighbourhood, but foes said they are concerned about traffic, parking, wind effects and “exces­sive density."

Hollis Street resident Caroline Murphy called the proposal “a step forward for the Halifax Regional Municipality," while Bev Miller of South Street said “it’s an outrageous project" and urged the politicians to defer a decision.

Council heard from a Fenwick Street resident, Rebecca Jamie­son, who said the tower has been “a world-class eyesore" that should be demolished. She im­plored councillors to give area neighbours a break on disrup­tions on their street.

She said a sewer replacement project affected local residents for 18 months, and the proposed redevelopment could be six years in the making.

“We demand some relief," Jamieson said.

A municipal staff report says the Templeton project “offers a rare opportunity to provide im­provements at both regional and local scales."

Council voted vocally for the planning and land amendments; not one councillor called out to oppose them.

(mlightstone@herald.ca)

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Thanks guys. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily things went. That was one of the shortest and easiest public hearings I've ever attended for a downtown development. It was so great to hear councils resounding support for this amazing development.

Let's just make sure we get people out for when the DA goes.
That's the last major hurdle.
Although Bev just annoyed me.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Council OKs changes for Fenwick Tower project


Council heard from a Fenwick Street resident, Rebecca Jamie­son, who said the tower has been “a world-class eyesore" that should be demolished. She im­plored councillors to give area neighbours a break on disrup­tions on their street.


(mlightstone@herald.ca)

OK, Mrs. Jamieson, I believe that's why they want to redevelop it. So it doesn't look like an eyesore. How would she propose they demolish it without "disruptions on their street" She should have taken the time to realize how that was going to sound before she opened her anti-everything mouth.

[DigitalNinja]

Anti-Everything people don't take the time to think before they talk.

[Doggard]

Alright! March 14 is my birthday! That would make a great present! Although I did just move away form Halifax in December.

[Northend Guy]

So, I've heard some pretty exciting news of late about the Fenwick project. There had been some talk of Templeton starting with one of the new buildings, and then moving on to tackle the tower addition/overhaul. However, they have changed their tune, and they are now saying that they are going to start with the tower! They are saying that it may be a year before they actually get rolling on the major aspects of the work (can you blame them given the scope?), but they are going to be working to get all their ducks in a row so that they get it right (prepping drawings, acquiring a savvy project coordinator, etc.). This will be awesome to witness - I am really looking forward to seeing this proceed!