HALIFAX – More than 200 people packed a theatre to discuss the future of a major Dartmouth development.
Several changes are being proposed for King’s Wharf, a development many hope will revitalize the downtown core.
Developer Fares Inc. wants substantial amendments to the current design and it held a public information meeting Monday night to discuss them with residents.
Instead of just one tower, the developer now wants a second tower; both buildings would be made of glass. One building will be 360 feet while the another will be 440 feet tall.
“As we thin them down, they start to get very elegant. They start to act as a twin set together with quite a bit of space between them,” said Margot Young, owner of EDM Limited, which is consulting on behalf of Fares Inc.
Two other buildings, one low-rise and one medium-rise, are also being proposed.
The developer also wants to add a salt marsh.
“What we’re proposing to do is building an additional breakwater out here that would have a public trail on it,” she said.
A ramp is being proposed for the second access point.
There is also a call for more townhouses and changes to how the centre blocks of the development are constructed.
But all the proposed changes are not without concern.
Some residents want the developer to stick to its original plan.
“I’m very concerned about the amount of building and in-filling they’re intending to do now,” said Betsy Whelan, a resident of the downtown core.
“I just think it’s going overboard now. I like the park. I like the water. I like the status quo.”
Sheila Jackson is concerned about the heights of the buildings.
“What they had originally, we just got used to. Now they’re going to make it bigger and better, new and improved and I’m not very happy about it,” she said.
David Schlosberg lives downtown. He is not in favour of the changes, saying the development will affect his view.
But he said he found the crowd at the meeting was quite approving of the proposed changes.
Councillor Gloria McCluskey said the crowd at the public information meeting was bigger than meetings for the original development.
“I’ve heard people going out saying it’s much better than they thought it would be. I think there’s some excitement and some people are not happy,” she said.
Comments made by residents during the meeting ranged from environmental concerns to issues with the municipality’s procedures.
Margaret Sims said she was worried about the amount of in-fill that would fill the harbour.
“In-fill is destruction to the ocean and the ocean is clearly a fish habitat. While you’re dumping tons of acidic rock into our harbour, I would like you think about what’s dying and what will die because of these actions,” the young woman said.
Another man questioned why Fares Inc. was allowed the chance to alter its plan.
“Why weren’t all these add-ons dealt with in the original application?” he asked.
“Shouldn’t they just get one kick at the can? How many time are they going to come back with another amendment?”
But amidst all the concerns and worries, there were some compliments.
“What we have here is a derelict industrial site that is going to rejuvenate the entire downtown,” said Trevor Parsons as he got his turn at the microphone.
Staff will write a report and submit it to Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council.
Community council will review the report and consult with staff. Then it will hold a public hearing before a final decision is made.
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