Updated:
A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Halifax City Hall (Council Chamber), 3rd Floor, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS.
Request
Southwest Properties and Shannex propose to develop a new high density, mixed-use neighbourhood in Mainland North, Halifax, on a 73 acre site that is commonly referred to as the Motherhouse lands. The proposal cannot be considered under the existing Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law (LUB), and, therefore, MPS amendments are needed to enable the proposed development. As directed by Council, the planning review considers the entire Motherhouse lands and the subject site's relationship to Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU).
Proposal
The Motherhouse lands are approximately 73 acres in size.
Southwest Properties and Shannex propose to develop a new high density, mixed-use neighbourhood in Mainland North, Halifax (Map 1), on a 73 acre site that is commonly referred to as the former Motherhouse Lands. A total of 3,000 residential and assisted living units are proposed within a mix of multi-unit and low density buildings together with a range of commercial and institutional uses. At full build out, the proposed neighbourhood is expected to contain approximately 7,000 residents.
Several features of the new community include clustering buildings between 16-6 storeys towards the centre of the subject site and ensuring areas adjacent to the surrounding low-density neighbourhoods are developed with a similar built form. A collector road that is designed to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, on-street parking and transit services is proposed to run through the centre of the community between Bedford Highway and Lacewood Drive. In addition, an innovative heated pavement system using excess heat from MSVU is proposed to help mitigate the challenges associated with steep grades. Three fully developed public parks are proposed to meet the recreation needs of residents and four pedestrian walkways connect the new community to surrounding neighbourhoods.
Process
This application is being considered under the municipal planning strategy amendment and development agreement process.
Status
Regional Council initiated the municipal planning strategy and land use by-law amendment process at its meeting on October 7, 2014 following consideration of an initiation report.
A staff recommendation report was considered by Halifax and West Community Council (HWCC) on June 12, 2018. At this meeting, HWCC forwarded the proposal to Regional Council.
On June 19, 2018 Regional Council considered the recommendation report from HWCC and gave first reading to the proposed Municipality Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law amendments.
Documents Submitted for Evaluation
Southwest has submitted plans in support of the application. These materials are also available for review at the Planning Services office in Dartmouth at 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, 2nd Floor.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Ben Sivak
Principal Planner
Planning and Development | Regional Planning
Telephone: 902.490.6573
Fax: 902.490.4661
Email: sivakb@halifax.ca
Mailing Address
PO Box: 1749,
Halifax,
Nova Scotia,
B3J 3A5
Attention: Ben Sivak, Principal Planner