Years in the making, a development agreement for Shannon Park is due before councillors this week.

The Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council, comprising Dartmouth-side councillors, meets Thursday. The development agreement for the long-vacant Dartmouth property is on the agenda, with a recommendation to schedule a public hearing.

Canada Lands Company Ltd. (CLC), a federal Crown corporation, has proposed, via consultants WSP, 3,000 residential units on the 34-hectare site.

As Tim Bousquet highlighted in a Morning File last year, the process has been slow, having started in 2016 with a detour to consider a CFL stadium.

CLC estimates the full build-out, over four phases, will take 10 to 15 years.

The company doesn’t typically build anything itself, but according to its website, it will build the road network and then sell off the building lots to developers.

A black and white map with one section highlighted with a red border. The map shows a new street grid and blocks.
The proposed street grid for Shannon Park, with maximum building heights on each block. Credit: WSP/HRM

When complete, the development would create 23 new city blocks, with a new street grid.

The development agreement would require “a collector road between Windmill Road and Princess Margaret Boulevard designed to accommodate transit service and AAA bike lanes.” And it would require “Pedestrian walkways and trails throughout the site that connect to surrounding neighbourhoods.”

Maximum building heights range from 23 metres to 90 metres along the outside perimeter. That’s about 28 storeys.

While mostly residential, the development is proposed to include 13,470 square metres of commercial space.

Affordable housing?

In his report to the community council, planner Dean MacDougall summed up the findings from public consultation:

• The paramount need for affordable housing and seniors housing;

• Type of park space desired and importance of having public access to the harbour;

• Desire to see commemoration of the history of the site (First Nation and Military); and

• Importance of active transportation and transit infrastructure. A desire to see a development less dependent on cars.

There don’t appear to be plans for affordable housing on site, with the development agreement following the Centre Plan density bonus formula. That means the future developers will pay into HRM’s affordable housing fund at a to-be-determined rate.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be affordable housing on site, but it is not a requirement.

If the community council votes in favour of the motion on Thursday, the municipality will schedule a public hearing and final vote on the development agreement.

Zane Woodford is the Halifax Examiner’s municipal reporter. He covers Halifax City Hall and contributes to our ongoing PRICED OUT housing series. Twitter @zwoodford

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6 Comments

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  1. I think, in light of all that is happening (or not happening) in our community, we need to turn out in high numbers with a loud united voice to demand that the three levels of government delivers what we need in Shannon Park. We need affordable housing for families, seniors, people with special needs. I worry that the Provincial Government has usurped all planning & development authority from HRM so what will happen if it chooses to ignore the city’s approved plan? And, what will the federal government contribute to meet our goals to deliver housing we need and and a liveable community?

  2. “There don’t appear to be plans for affordable housing on site, with the development agreement following the Centre Plan density bonus formula. That means the future developers will pay into HRM’s affordable housing fund at a to-be-determined rate.”

    Does the density bonus formula actually lead to any affordable housing being built? We know we have a housing crisis, particularly an affordable housing crisis, in the HRM so how can any development that is going to be approved not require the inclusion of affordable units?

    1. At a minimum, build in a requirement for a certain amount of space to be designated for co-op/non profit housing. Facilitate the creation of these spaces instead of making people have to compete with private developers.

  5. No doubt stadium supporters will be upset. I’ve always wanted to say that the summer wall of fog, frequent wind and rain are all reasons that an open air football stadium by the harbour is not a good idea. I’m the only person in my circle of acquaintances who pays attention to the CFL. This proposal sounds interesting. I’m pretty excited about it.