Halifax greenlights two extra storeys for Dartmouth tower

The developer behind this 20-storey project in downtown Dartmouth applied to add two extra floors. Photo by Fathom StudiosArticle contentLoving the rounded point of the flatiron design, Halifax councillors were quick to approve another two storeys for a 20-storey downtown Dartmouth development on Thursday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“When you think about what’s being built in the area . . . 22 storeys is not out of scale with what’s happening in other areas of Dartmouth,” said Coun. Sam Austin (Dartmouth Centre).Article contentArticle contentFathom Studios, on behalf of developer Alex Dunphy, requested an extra two storeys on a 20-storey tower with a mixed-use podium that was approved by the city in 2021. It’s on the east corner of Wyse Road and Nantucket Avenue, adjacent to the Zatzman Sportsplex.Article contentArticle contentAcross the street, the Little Brooklyn development will have multiple buildings, the highest reaching 40 storeys.Article contentSometimes a developer will ask for extra storeys when the project is under construction, but this one hasn’t started yet. Right now, it’s a parking lot and the site of a small office building.Article content The site of a proposed development at 112 Wyse Road in Dartmouth on Thursday. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentSHADOWS AND WINDArticle contentThe Harbour East – Marine Drive Community Council heard from architect Matthew Kijewski before a public hearing and a vote on the request during their meeting Thursday night.Article contentHe said they consider this project “an integral part of the connecting tissue of Dartmouth downtown, joining downtown Dartmouth with north-end Dartmouth.”Article contentThe original plan had 160 units, but with two additional floors it will have 178. They are still complying with a minimum ratio that at least 25 per cent of the units will have two or more bedrooms (there will be 46 two-bedroom units).Article contentArticle content The developer behind this 20-storey project in downtown Dartmouth applied to add two extra floors. Photo by Fathom StudiosArticle contentKijewski noted that there is a slight increase for shadows, and the most impact will be on the sidewalks and crosswalks “mostly limited to winter mornings.” Their wind diagrams show the most frequent wind speeds may affect pedestrian comfort at about 30 per cent of the time but the podium, which is four storeys at its highest, will help mitigate wind impacts.Article contentAs for traffic, he said their studies show the additional units are not expected to have any negative impacts on roadways or active transport networks.Article content“Since the original study, upgrades have been made that are expected to promote and incentivize use of alternate modes of transportation,” he said.Article contentThey’re not increasing the number of parking spots, Kijewski said. There are three levels of underground parking, with 88 parking spaces and 101 bicycle parking spots.Article contentCoun. Trish Purdy (Cole Harbour – Preston – Westphal – Cherry Brook) said she doesn’t think the municipality’s parking requirements are enough and that the Sportsplex parking “will be tempting for some of the tenants to use.”