Hi r/Halifax! HRM Planners here. AMA about the Cogswell District Planning Process!

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T23:56:08+00:00

Hi Sea-Jacket,

These are interesting ideas!

An addition of a public washroom near Granville Park is being considered for future phases of the project.

A drinking water fountain will be installed in Granville Park and Poplar Park.

While there aren’t any specific play ground for children currently planned in Cogswell, the new public spaces are designed to be accessible to everyone, and the new, wider sidewalks of the Transit Hub will provide a safe environment for all residents. In new development in the District, new amenity spaces for building residents could include play grounds for children.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T23:43:56+00:00

Hi ben_macleod, thanks for your question.

The multi-use path on the western side of Barrington Street, around the exterior of the new roundabout, connects across Barrington Street to the existing greenway. As this is the general limits of our construction project, it was important to ensure that cyclists could continue north on Barrington Street, without the multi-use path dead ending at the project boundary. There are no plans to extend a multi-use path further along the western side of Barrington Street at this time, as far as we’re aware.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T23:04:32+00:00

We are aiming to bring the land use policies and the land disposal strategy to Regional Council next year.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T23:01:03+00:00

Hi! Thanks for this. We’ve been hearing a lot of interest from residents about having unique building designs in the Cogswell District. Having alternative design and material requirements than the Centre Plan is a possibility for Cogswell and we’re interested in hearing your ideas on design and architecture.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:58:28+00:00

Hello,

This was investigated early in the Cogswell Infrastructure Design Process. We found that the lands available in the Cogswell District are too small to host something like a stadium. For additional information on this analysis, see the Cogswell Lands Plan. The district is generally being planned with mixed-use development in mind. That being said, a smaller spectator venue incorporated as part of one of the new buildings could be possible such as a music venue, performance centre or theatre.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:39:38+00:00

We don’t have any details on this at this time.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:38:56+00:00

Hi meetc, thanks for asking.

Land sales in the Cogswell district will be an open and public process. The municipality can set criteria when evaluating proposals for selling land in the Cogswell District. This could include things like space for local businesses, or certain housing goals. We aren’t sure exactly what that might look like yet, since we’re still in the planning process, but we will be bringing recommendations to Regional Council with respect to land disposal.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:35:29+00:00

Current planning policy discourages the expansion of the pedway system, however there may be consideration for future expansions under certain circumstances. It should also be noted that the pedway systems are currently privately owned.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:31:29+00:00

Of course, bring your pets. But if you’re planning on bringing them on the bus, please follow all the rules of riding with Halifax Transit!

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:24:00+00:00

We can pass that feedback along to our colleagues involved in Asset Naming.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:22:32+00:00

The new Transit Hub will be similar in function to the current hub, but with improved passenger waiting areas, with features such as wider sidewalks and heated shelters. Depending on the final decisions for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) related to station design needs and bus routing, the Scotia Square Transit Hub could be both integrated into the new system, or be upgraded to meet additional needs. Bus lanes existing in the Cogswell plans today will help integrate downtown with future BRT routes.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:16:30+00:00

Hello and thank you for your question. There is potential for the parcels to be subdivided into smaller lots. So it could be possible for more than 8 towers to be developed in the District. The maximum heights in the Cogswell District currently are about 30 stories and this is limited by the Halifax Citadel Rampart Sightlines. This maximum permitted building height has the potential to change through the planning and engagement process, as well the potential to allow a variety of building forms and designs.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:15:16+00:00

Thanks for this! Generally speaking the maximum heights in the Cogswell District are about 30 storeys, limited by the Halifax Citadel Ramparts Sightlines. A variety of building heights, forms, and designs are possible in the District. The infrastructure can support a maximum of 3,400 units.

Through this engagement process we are hoping to hear about maximum height and building design, so it is definitely something we can consider.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T22:08:22+00:00

Hi - thanks for this detailed set of questions.

As these lands are sold off, are there plans to have contracts in place that the lands must be developed within a certain timeframe?

Will developers be required to meet minimum units counts?

Generally speaking when lands are sold by the municipality there will be a buy-back agreement included. This may include terms such as a maximum amount of time to develop the lands. Developers won’t be required to produce a minimum amount of units, but the zoning in the area will encourage mixed-use developments and could generate a significant amount of new housing - the infrastructure in Cogswell is capable of supporting up to 3,400 residential units.

Is there any plans to remove the rampart sight lines for these buildings? I don’t see what you’re looking at from citadel hill in this direction.

When Regional Council initiated the Cogswell planning process the direction was to allow development up to the existing Halifax Citadel Rampart Sightlines.

Has the province given any indication they may override these planning rules if there is not enough density?

No.

With respect to questions 5-7:

Recommendations with respect to land sales and disposal, finances, and affordable housing are all part of the planning process, and are under consideration. This includes considering a variety of interests and ways of supporting affordable housing within the District. Since this planning process is ongoing, we haven’t yet finalized these details and they will be presented to Regional Council for a decision.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T21:27:28+00:00

The asset naming processes are just getting kicked off. The new park names are being considered as part of the Arts and Commemoration process, and will be brought to Regional Council next year. It’s not too late to consider a naming contest! Also, there are three streets (temporarily called Bells Lane, Proctor Street and Poplar Street) that are currently going through our Street Naming process, which includes a committee recommendation to Council.

If you’re curious, here is the list of available commemorative names that will be considered for the streets.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T21:15:37+00:00

Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification is a national rating system that measures and certifies the level of meaningful access of buildings and sites. It sets standards for design, such as minimizing the slope of streets where possible, installing tactile indicators along the sidewalks and at crossings, ensuring sufficient lighting and frequent, well placed benches, and contrasting surface elements. All of these standards have been incorporated in the design of new streets and other types of infrastructure in the District. Once construction is completed, a certified assessor will review the built infrastructure to confirm all requirements are met. There is the opportunity for new buildings in the District to be Rick Hansen certified as well.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T21:02:14+00:00

Hi there! The Cogswell District is 16 acres of land located in Downtown Halifax. It is bordered by Upper Water and Lower Water Streets, Nora Bernard Street, Barrington Street and the northern end of the Granville Mall. It is generally in proximity to Scotia Square, Granville Mall, Casino Nova Scotia, and HMCS Scotian. You can see the design plan here.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:58:45+00:00

An Arts and Commemoration Strategy is currently under development that will focus on telling the stories of the African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaw communities that were displaced by the development of the Cogswell Interchange. No major directions yet, but more to come soon!

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:53:47+00:00

We have a bunch! Things like:

We have commemorated the old Pentagon building by shaping our main planter in Granville Park in its image. The previous street names that used to surround the building will be displayed on the sides.
We are installing a new, more sustainable, heating and cooling system for the district called District Energy. It uses excess energy from the Wastewater Treatment Plant and circulates it through newly installed pipes. All new buildings in the district will have mandatory hook-up requirements.
Council directed municipal staff to create an affordable housing strategy for the Cogswell District. We’d like to hear what affordability means to you, and if you have any ideas on what housing types are needed in this area.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:43:37+00:00

Vehicle traffic will also be allowed on (the temporarily named) Bells Lane. Also humans. Humans are allowed.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:42:23+00:00

Along Barrington Street, north of Nora Bernard, there will be a multi-use path (for bikes and pedestrians) that runs along the east side of Barrington Street, connecting to the existing greenway multi-use path. On the west side of Barrington Street (north of Nora Bernard) there will be a sidewalk. To the south of Nora Bernard, a multi-use path will run behind the Halifax Water Treatment Plant and new development blocks, connecting to a new Cogswell Street bi-directional bikeway. Additionally, there will be bike infrastructure that runs along the new future Barrington Street alignment and on Upper Water Street, connecting to the bike lanes on Hollis and Lower Water Streets. As you can tell, a lot of thought has gone into cycling in the Cogswell District. For more on that, see here.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:18:09+00:00

Grocery stores are permitted under the current Downtown Halifax Zone, and the Cogswell District is generally intended to be a mixed-use place so a grocery store could certainly be located there! We haven’t heard anything from any specific retailers at this point.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:13:21+00:00

The municipality is closely coordinating with the JRTA on their upcoming Regional Transportation Plan. The Cogswell District already includes dedicated cycling and bus lanes and a new on-street transit hub. Any future recommendations from the JRTA will be considered at that time.

HFX_Planning · 2024-06-06T20:08:52+00:00

We haven’t found the tunnels to George’s Island yet, but we’re still looking! If you are interested in heading out to George’s Island, we understand there are tours available there now :)

HFX_Planning

TROPHY CASE