Halifax Herald
Monday, January 17, 2005
By AMY PUGSLEY FRASER / City Hall Reporter
Two developments that will bring thousands of people to suburban Dartmouth and downtown Halifax will be unveiled for the first time this week.
Clayton Developments' proposal for the west side of Russell Lake in Dartmouth - offering mixed residential and big box stores - will be shown to the public at a meeting tonight.
As well, the twin 27-storey towers of United Gulf's TexPark proposal for Halifax will be trotted out for public viewing on Wednesday.
The downtown development, located between Granville and Hollis streets at Sackville, follows the current trend of putting people closer to the business core, the area councillor said Sunday.
"People these days want to live on the peninsula," Coun. Dawn Sloane said of the district, currently home to about 55,000 people.
"And right now, we seem to have quite the boom going on."
She said downtown construction of rental and properties for sale is on the rise. "It looks like it's going to be a good infusion of people that will help keep the businesses alive in the downtown and probably attract more to come back to the downtown."
The United Gulf proposal would see a double tower being built over the property, which has been vacant since the TexPark garage was demolished last fall.
One tower would be a hotel accessed by Hollis Street. The other proposes residential condominiums and commercial space to be entered by Granville Street.
The main base bridging the two towers would house a lobby and a restaurant for the hotel.
"There are wonderful businesses on Granville Street . . . they're gems," Coun. Sloane said.
"I think it will be great to have those best-kept secrets near new residential areas."
A plan by Shaw-owned Clayton Developments proposes a 40-hectare development of single-family homes, multi-units and a large commercial business park to be located on the west side of Russell Lake in Dartmouth.
It's part of a larger, 485-hectare development, which will stretch around the west side of Morris and Russell lakes.
The Clayton proposal has not stirred exceptional community interest, says Portland-East Woodlawn councillor Bill Karsten.
Compared to the proposed interchange next to Shubie Park at Highway 118 - which has spurred residents to sign petitions and form citizens groups united in opposition - the councillor says he's received relatively few inquiries about the development.
"I think what's important to point out is that . . . staff has spent a number of years studying the potential for development in HRM," he said in an interview.
Recently, the area - and a proposal for a 266-hectare mixed commercial-residential project called Bedford South by the same developer - was ranked highest among 10 possible areas for future development in the municipality.
That's because it has access to transportation, as well as water and sewer capabilities for new residents.
The councillor said there are also safeguards in place for the lakes, around which the development will be located.
"When I look at the proposal, and I've read it thoroughly, I do believe the principles are in place to protect the lakes," Coun. Karsten said.
"And I do want to make sure that we have the proper enforcement to nip any potential problem with environmental issues regarding the lake in the bud."
Part of the success in planning the development can be attributed to a citizens group that has been meeting since the late 1990s.
"They've been going for years," he said about the Morris-Russell Lake public participation committee.
The main committee, as well as a second subcommittee, are both meeting this week.
Also:
Public meeting schedule
This week's public meetings in Halifax Regional Municipality:
TODAY: Public information meeting 7 p.m. at Bel Ayr Elementary School, to view an application by Clayton Developments Ltd. to enter into a development agreement to permit the construction of a mixed residential/commercial development on the west side of Russell Lake.
Tuesday: Public hearing during regional council meeting, 6 p.m. in city hall, to consider an application by Cantwell & Company Consulting Ltd., on behalf of Petro-Canada, to rezone 6193 Young St., a vacant lot at Windsor and Young streets, from institutional to commercial to allow for a Petro-Canada gas station.
Meeting of the Morris-Russell Lake public participation committee, 6:30 p.m. in the Westphal room at Cole Harbour Place.
Wednesday: Public information meeting, 7 p.m. in Queen Elizabeth High School cafeteria to view an application by United Gulf Developments Ltd. for a mixed-use development of the former TexPark site located at the block bounded by Granville, Sackville, Hollis and Salter streets in Halifax.
Meeting of the north west planning advisory committee, 7 p.m. in Basinview Drive Community School cafeteria, to consider an application by O.L.L. Leasing and Holdings Ltd. to permit an increased residential component within the Crestview CCDD and permit a mixed-use development.
Thursday: Meeting of the Morris-Russell Lake public participation committee subcommittee, 6:30 p.m., Westphal Room, Cole Harbour Place.