Halifax plan for urban development received with cautious optimism

Some Halifax residents are cautious about how the municipality is going to proceed with development plans in view of recent conflicts over proposed projects.

"We would like to see the plan have some backbone," south-end Halifax residentChrisAnnandsaid following a public meeting Wednesday night where city planners presented details of the municipality's Centre Plan.

The latest draft is based on public feedbackfrom previoussessions.

Agricola Street growth centre dropped

There have been some changes.

For example, there are now only five growth centres instead of six. One onAgricolaStreet has been dropped.

There are still redevelopment corridorsbut the apartment buildings envisioned for them are between fourand six storeys,instead of high-rise buildings.

"They really seem to be looking at so many different aspects," Brian Trainorof Dartmouth said.

"I'm quite impressed."

Pedestrians first

Some members of the development community think the Centre Planwill improve look of the city.

"What's really striking for me is putting the pedestrian first," said JacobJeBailey, an architect with WM Fares, a Halifax developer.

• Wellington Street development passes Halifax council vote

"I think that it isgoingto go a long way as to how the character of Halifax develops in the future."

But others worry that as soon as the Centre Plan is approved, developerswill be looking for changes.

Keep changes to minimum

"I mean the plan should be able to be in place for several years beforeany kind of significant changes are made," Pat Whitman of Wellington Street said.

A number of residents'groups plan to ask regional councillors to make itmore difficult to approve changes by requiring a two-thirds vote instead of a simplemajority.

There will be a series of neighbourhood meetings in November to discussthe draft Centre Plan.Public comments will be accepted untilDec.2.