Landscape-Altering Dartmouth Highrise Clears Public Hearing
DARTMOUTH—A 20-storey highrise that will significantly alter the landscape of the Dartmouth North area cleared its last major hurdle Thursday night.
The proposed project sailed through Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council August 5. No members of the public showed up for a public hearing to weigh in on the proposal, while council heaped praised on it.
The project is being shepherded through the city’s development process by Fathom Studios. The firm has been positioning it as a major upgrade for an underutilized plot of land that could mark the start of a significant transformation in the neighbourhood.
The plan is to build a 20-storey tower on two lots at 112 and 114 Wyse Road, essentially at the foot of the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge. The tower, which will stretch well above other buildings in the area, will house a mix of residential units and ground-floor commercial space.
RELATED: Here Are The Plans For The 20-Storey Tower At The Foot Of Macdonald Bridge
In a presentation outlining the project, Fathom Studios called the lot “a bustling future center neighborhood for Dartmouth” that is “soon to become the connecting tissue… joining the downtown with the North End.”
It said the tower’s “flatiron” design fits well on the curved lot and that with its entrance pointing towards the harbour the tower will be “a beacon for people arriving from the Macdonald Bridge.”
Mixed Feedback From The Public
Although no one showed up to last night’s public hearing, the public had a chance to weigh in on the project earlier this year. That engagement led to mixed feedback, with people both praising and complaining about the building’s design.
People also had concerns about how much wind the project would create and a hope that it would foster a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Halifax city staff also identified some concerns about wind and will require the developer to have a specific plan to deal with wind-related issues before a development permit will be granted.
Fathom’s Rob Leblanc, meanwhile, said the developer is doing several things to try and make the space more walkable.
The building will be built back from the property line, creating more space for folks on foot. There are also plans to plant more than 20 new trees in the area to liven up what is currently a mass of concrete.
Leblanc said the property owner is even keen to do landscaping beyond his own property line, if HRM is on board.
No ‘Specific Targets’ For Affordable Housing
With affordable housing on everyone’s mind in Halifax, council pushed Fathom on whether the building will include any affordable units.
Fathom’s Chris Crawford said “there hasn’t been a definitive answer from the developer on any specific target” for affordable units.
Although he did claim the units will be targeted “towards a more affordable market.”
“This building is integrated into a major transit location. Having very limited onsite parking available, combined with the size of the units, is leaning towards making these a more affordable option,” he said.
Enthusiastic Council Support
Despite concerns about affordability and wind, council was largely enthusiastic about the project.
Coun. Becky Kent called the building “impressive” and said she’s excited to see a significant investment in the Dartmouth North area, which has easy access to so many amenities.
“This kind of private investment, I think, is overdue,” she said. “To me this is a bold investment… and can really add benefits to the area beyond just the housing layer.”
“Yes, this is a large building. It’s a big, big change, I think, for that area. But if that change is going to come, which I think is a positive for the municipally, this is the right location,” she added.
David Hendsbee, meanwhile, said it will be “an iconic building for downtown Dartmouth.”
Now that the project has sailed through its public hearing, the developer must wait through a 14-day appeal period before it can apply for a development permit and begin construction.