HALIFAX – Halifax Regional Council may be making changes to view planes in Dartmouth. The changes are being welcomed by developers and those eager for a revitalized downtown. But others are anxious about changing the views of Halifax Harbour.
Haligonians have long joked that the best thing about Dartmouth is the view of Halifax. But long-time Dartmouth Councillor Gloria McCluskey begs to differ.
“Really the best view is from Halifax when you’re looking over at Dartmouth,” she laughs.
Council has given first reading to revise protected view planes in downtown Dartmouth. “There is a little bit of pent up demand for growth in downtown Dartmouth,” says Tim Rissesco, the Executive Directorof the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission. “And we’ve had some lots in the area that have been waiting for this view plane change so that development could occur.”
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This view plane could be eliminated at the number 7 tee at the Brightwood Golf Club in Dartmouth with new high rise construction.
Club General Manager Jim Ogilvie says it’s not news he wants to hear as they prepare to celebrate their 100th anniversary next year. “We want to maintain the view planes here,” says Ogilvie. “We don’t want to see large buildings erected that would take away this spectacular view away from our members, our guests here.”
“The scale of buildings we’ll see in downtown Dartmouth are not going to tower above the height of Brightwood,” Rissesco says.
Developers will put up more high rise construction such as King’s Wharf says Rissesco. “It would allow for a possibly higher structure at King’s Wharf and for the development of some of the lots that are bordered by King Street and Portland Street and Queen Street in downtown Dartmouth as well as Alderney Drive.”
The view from Brightwood is the only one that will be affected, for now.
“The reason for Brightwood is that it is private property, ” says McCluskey. “We just don’t protect view planes from private property.”
Although it’s a private club with 900 members, Brightwood argues there’s a lot going on there for the public. “Cross country skiing, sledding, the community also come out,” says Ogilvie. “They use the facility for walking, walking their dogs, also when we have the fireworks, quite a few people come up on the hills here to enjoy the fireworks.”
Council still has to pass the motion and a public hearing will be held.
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