Halifax council approves sightline rule changes to allow six extra units at Brunswick-Gottingen development
Halifax regional council unanimously approved amendments to the planning strategy and land-use bylaw, reducing setback requirements for buildings over 33.5 metres on three specific properties. The change allows Grafton Developments to add six residential units to a highrise project at Brunswick and Gottingen streets, bringing the total unit count across two buildings to 219.
Halifax regional council has unanimously approved changes to the municipality’s planning strategy and land-use bylaw, allowing Grafton Developments to add six extra units to its highrise project at the intersection of Brunswick and Gottingen streets.
The amendments modify rules governing the space between the top storeys of highrise buildings, which are designed to protect historic rampart views from the Halifax Citadel. Under the previous regulations, buildings taller than 33.5 metres required an 11.5-metre setback at their upper levels. The developer applied to reduce that setback to six metres.
Grafton Developments, owned by the Ghosn family, is constructing a new 15-storey building that will be treated as an addition to an adjacent nine-storey office building slated for conversion into residential units. The abutting highrise is the Pearl, an eight-storey residential building also owned by Grafton. With the six additional units enabled by the bylaw change, the two buildings will contain a combined total of 219 units.
HRM staff assessed the proposed amendment and stated the change is appropriate and consistent with urban design goals, noting that sightlines remain uncompromised. While the rule change applies to the zone broadly, it is only applicable to three specific properties located on the west side of Brunswick Street, between Cogswell and Duke streets.
A public hearing on the matter was held Tuesday night, where no one spoke. Council passed the decision quickly and unanimously. The approval now requires provincial review and approval before taking effect.