Wellington St. development plans stir up councillor controversy
Posted Oct 17, 2014 10:46:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
New condo plans for Wellington St. in Halifax’s south end are stirring up controversy after community council voted to support the development of the buildings that go against the city’s height restrictions.
Area councillor Waye Mason told the Rick Howe Show he thinks his colleagues voted in favour of the new condo plans because of old pro-development mentality.
“Right now, we’ve approved thousands of units in the peninsula and thousands of units in downtown, and urban Dartmouth,” he said. “Right now, we can be selective. It’s OK to only say yes to the best projects.”
The lots on Wellington St. are only zoned for three storeys — the new condos, if built, would be eight and 10 storeys high.
“You buy a house, you do the research, you’re in a residential zone, and right now, the message people are hearing on the peninsula is, ‘maybe council will let someone build a tower in your backyard,’ no matter where you are.”
Mason said a public hearing will be held soon before Regional Council has the final say on whether the new apartments will go up.
In the meantime, homeowners on the street are working to form a residents’ association against the condo plans.
“I believe a founding meeting is coming up. Stay tuned in the next couple weeks.”
