PLANAPP 2023-00942 - 1262 Bedford Highway, Bedford

Request

Application by Fathom, on behalf of the property owner, requesting to enter into a heritage development agreement on the lands at 1262 Bedford Highway, which would allow an 8-storey residential tower.

Background
1262 Bedford Highway, known as ‘Honeycote’, was registered as a heritage property in 2021. Honeycote contains a one-and-a-half storey building that was designed in the classical Vernacular style and was constructed between 1855 and 1858. Character-defining elements of the home include, but are not limited to: 

• Original 1.5 storey Classical Vernacular building with a symmetrical appearance;
• Two single-stack brick chimneys located just inside the end walls;
• Decorative clay chimney pot on left (southwest) chimney;
• Wood shingle siding;
• Gable roof with classical return eaves;
• Window fenestration with double hung six-over-six windows;
• Two hipped dormers with three coupled windows in sets of three; and,
• Enclosed porch with hipped roof, original side doors, and pilasters with inverted fluting.

A circa 1920s addition was added to the rear of the building and is not considered to be a character-defining element. 

Proposal

The applicant has applied to enter into a Development Agreement on the property to permit a 8-storey residential building on a registered heritage property. This development agreement is being considered under the Bedford Highway Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy.

A key element of the proposal is the relocation, rehabilitation, and preservation of the registered heritage building. The heritage building will be relocated closer to Bedford Highway and incorporated into the new construction with a one-storey breezeway connection between the two buildings.

If approved, the development agreement would allow the property owner to: 

• Construct an 8-storey residential building to the rear of the existing heritage building.

If approved, the development agreement would require the property owner to: 

• Rehabilitate the registered heritage building at Honeycote to its original form and design, including: 
  • the restoration of original architectural features that have been removed; 
  • the removal of 1920s addition;
  • the rehabilitation or replacement in-kind of character-defining elements which have fallen into disrepair, such as windows, doors, structural elements, etc. 

The applicant’s proposal also requires a second application which staff are processing concurrently – a substantial alteration application. This type of application is a heritage-focused application which is required by the Nova Scotia Heritage Property Act when significant changes are proposed to a registered heritage property. The substantial alterations must be reviewed by HRM’s Heritage Advisory Committee and approved by Regional Council.

Both applications must be approved before the applicant can pursue the proposed development.

Process

An Open House has been booked for April 25, 2024. 6:00 p.m. at the Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway, Bedford, NS

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Staff are currently reviewing the development agreement application and will ultimately prepare a recommendation for Community Council to consider. Before Community Council can make any decision about the proposal, a public open house and a public hearing shall be held. 

Staff are simultaneously processing an application to substantially alter Honeycote. In accordance with the Nova Scotia Heritage Property Act, a substantial alteration application must be reviewed by the Heritage Advisory Committee and approved by Regional Council before any registered heritage property is substantially altered.  

Status

A Public Information Meeting/Open House will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway, Bedford, NS. (map)

This information meeting will be an Open House Style; you can drop in between 6:00pm and 8:00pm where you can speak with HRM Staff and Applicant about this application.

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by municipal staff to properly evaluate the application. The details of this application may change before consideration or approval by Regional Council. Updates or changes to the application will be posted on this website. 

A – Heritage Impact Statement
B – Site Plan, Floor Plans & Elevations
C – Renderings
D – Traffic Impact Study 
E – Preliminary Servicing Schematic