February 14, 2025

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Council seeking legal information as municipality considers 6-storey apartment in Windsor, N.S.

Council seeking legal information as municipality considers 6-storey apartment in Windsor, N.S.

WINDSOR, N.S. — An advocate for preserving neighborhood heritage is questioning a proposed 6-storey development that could hinder the perspective of a single of Nova Scotia’s oldest forts.

Shirley Pineo, the president of the West Hants Historic Modern society, has been lobbying to have the sightlines close to Fort Edward Countrywide Historic Web-site preserved for nearly two yrs.

The firm would like to construct a heritage interpretation centre on adjacent open up space land that the municipality has deemed surplus and was searching to offer to a developer who needs to create household units. Though the municipality is continue to identifying which entity will be presented a inexperienced gentle to establish on the web-site, Pineo noticed one more progress was being proposed that could also effects the perspective.

At a public hearing for 8 Upper Water St., Pineo brought up a research that the former Town of Windsor had commissioned. The review noted council’s issue above protecting the Fort Edward perspective aircraft was resolved “by the current zoning prerequisites, which impose a 3-storey peak restriction more than the downtown place.”

Pineo questioned: “So I guess my problem is, when did that (zoning) adjust?”

The answer municipal employees furnished was that three-storey builds are permitted as a ideal any place in Windsor. Nevertheless, really should a developer want to build something bigger, they should seek a enhancement settlement and acceptance from the municipality.

This aerial photograph, taken earlier this fall, depicts a bird’s eye view of downtown Windsor, showing the myriad of buildings — all three storeys or less — and Fort Edward National Historic Site positioned prominently on a hill. - Alex Hanes
This aerial photograph, taken earlier this slide, depicts a bird’s eye perspective of downtown Windsor, exhibiting the myriad of properties — all a few storeys or a lot less — and Fort Edward Countrywide Historic Web-site positioned prominently on a hill. – Alex Hanes

Much more questions 

The information Pineo brought ahead gave some councillors pause at the conclusion of the second looking at of the Oct. 24 general public hearing.

“Was there any elevation studies completed to present what the watch aircraft would appear like from Fort Edward hunting out above this building?” Coun. John Smith asked.

As was observed in prior conferences, planner Alex Dunphy said the county’s arranging files really do not demand Fort Edward’s check out planes to be taken into thing to consider. As such no preliminary drawings were done or info collected to present how it could impression the view from the fort.

Mark Phillips, the main administrative officer for West Hants, reminded council that guarding the perspective is some thing it could contemplate accomplishing.

Fort Edward National Historic Site, home to the oldest wooden blockhouse in North America, is located in Windsor. - Carole Morris-Underhill
Fort Edward Nationwide Historic Web page, home to the oldest wooden blockhouse in North The usa, is positioned in Windsor. – Carole Morris-Underhill

“There’s no language in our natural environment that restricts or that calls for us to contemplate that. Ethically, morally, traditionally, that is one thing that you can contemplate, some thing that can influence your choice making, one thing that might impact long run coverage,” he mentioned.

“But from the scheduling world… we are aware of it, but it’s not some thing that you have to adhere to at the present time by regulation or by need.”

Quite a few other councillors chimed in, indicating they would like to have a visible illustration of what a 6-storey apartment developing would seem like in downtown Windsor, with a aim on how it suits with the fort.

“I would not brain knowing the elevation variance amongst the major of the sixth storey and Fort Edward,” mentioned Coun. Jeff Hartt, noting it should not be tough data to compile.


Tricky to visualize

“I consider we have used two many years speaking about Fort Edward, and we have talked about the see plains as it relates to Fort Edward,” mentioned Coun. Jim Ivey, referencing the other whole lot of land that the historical modern society is intrigued in.

Ivey noted it would be prudent to get the elevation data just before deciding on the progress settlement.

“If you’re about to put some thing up that is heading to block the look at, no matter if it’s from the fort or whether it is from the ground degree searching in direction of the fort, I think you want to know that in advance,” Ivey stated.

Coun. Scott McLean said he’d like to see a 3D rendering so council could much better visualize what a 6-storey creating in downtown Windsor would seem like.

File Photo
File Image

The tallest developing is at this time 3 storeys.

“I’m not in opposition to this improvement. There is been some issues below with the slight line,” explained McLean. “I’d like to see this developing in the full landscape… just so we could all grasp how substantial it is likely to be in contrast to almost everything else.”

Aside from the possible impact the constructing may possibly have on Windsor’s landscape, there are nevertheless exceptional inquiries relating to the affect it could have on h2o and wastewater means, parking availability and targeted traffic flows. These worries had been also all lifted previously in the tumble.

Both Smith and Ivey asked about parking.

This aerial photograph, taken Nov. 9 by Alex Hanes, provides a bird’s eye view of Fort Edward National Historic Site and its proximity to the corner of King Street and Upper Water Street — the property that a developer wants to construct a six-storey apartment complex on. - Alex Hanes
This aerial photograph, taken Nov. 9 by Alex Hanes, offers a bird’s eye perspective of Fort Edward Nationwide Historic Site and its proximity to the corner of King Avenue and Upper Water Street — the home that a developer needs to build a six-storey condominium sophisticated on. – Alex Hanes

Ivey famous there has not been a targeted traffic review done in downtown Windsor and exactly where this progress proposes 95 rental models, with 89 parking areas and 10 bicycle spots, that would enhance targeted visitors.

Dunphy pointed out that whilst the municipality commonly requires a 1:1 ratio for parking, the progress officer felt what was proposed was adequate.

“But in this case, the only way to fulfill the one particular parking space per dwelling unit ratio would be to lower the full quantity of units in the proposal, and cutting down the overall selection of models would negatively have an impact on the developer and would also cut down the likely total of housing that we would be capable to give for this site,” Dunphy claimed.

Ivey famous most motorists at the moment journey together King, Gerrish and Stannus Streets to get on to Drinking water Street. With this enhancement proposed for the corner of Water and King, he puzzled what the traffic effect would be.

“I’m just indicating that I’d like to have these uncertainties cleared out as element of this system, and offered in which we’re at, at the existing time, I believe now is the time to have that carried out,” he mentioned.


Searching for legal guidance

Coun. Debbie Francis requested if council could even entertain new information since the community listening to experienced shut and they were due to vote on second reading for the enhancement arrangement.

She included that since watch planes are not in the arranging files it’s genuinely not some thing council should think about. She reported she was worried if they don’t vote in favour of the progress agreement then the developer could charm the final decision.

Mayor Abraham Zebian reminded council that any selection it can make pertaining to a improvement agreement can be appealed, no matter of which way councillors vote.

After significantly discussion, it was determined council would seek out legal assistance on if they are authorized to request much more info immediately after the conclusion of 2nd studying. If they are, staff members would then ask for a 3D rendering to demonstrate how the proposal may in good shape in downtown Windsor.

It’s anticipated council will discuss this yet again at the Nov. 28 conference.

Quick information

What: A Halifax-primarily based developer is proposing a six-storey, blended-use apartment intricate in Windsor. The proposal would see 95 apartment models, 89 parking areas and 10 bicycle spaces, and up to 4,165 square toes of professional space.

Where: At 8 Higher Water St., Windsor.

About the website: The large amount is roughly 27,000 square feet and now properties a one storey office developing on the corner of Upper Drinking water Street and King Road. There is a parking large amount as perfectly as undeveloped land fronting on the residential Cobbett Road. It was the web site of the former Black Bear Tavern. It is positioned southeast of the Fort Edward National Historic Website.

Below existing planning procedures, a developer could create up to three storeys on the site as a suitable. As a substitute, the residence operator is trying to get a progress arrangement to build a six-storey condominium complex.