Halifax councillors have cleared the way for major development that will see the parking lots around Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth turn into a new neighbourhood for thousands of people.

On Tuesday, councillors passed a variety of planning rules to enable the M District future neighbourhood, and the development agreement for a project that will take up most of the 24-hectare site including, and around, the mall.

The project from developer Joe Ramia will see up to 2,800 housing units built in phases across seven high-rise residential towers between 25 and 40 storeys, four mid-rise buildings up to nine storeys, and a special care housing facility.

Municipal staff said this project is expected to bring in about 8,600 new residents over the next 10 to 20 years of construction.

Multiple residents at the public hearing were in favour of developing the site, but said the scale and density was too much.

“I think we should call it project colossus because it’s too big for the area,” said nearby resident Doug Rose.

The plans include a new transit terminal to replace the existing one at the mall, commercial space, possibility of a grocery store, public park with a playground and a few sport courts, a new street, pedestrian corridors, and multi-use paths for active transportation.

But many residents said they wanted to see more green space and recreation facilities in the plans given the density, raised concerns about water and sewer infrastructure capacity, and increased traffic.

Staff from Halifax Water said any immediate upgrades needed would be paid for by the developer, and they have included the project in their long-term planning for new water sources and treatment plants in the area.

Deputy Mayor Patty Cuttell said a public park of about 0.7 hectares, with no other recreation spaces like a sports field, did not seem like enough. 

“For me this lacks an element of community and livability, and creating neighborhood, that I feel is important,” Cuttell said.

Coun. Kathryn Morse said the plan seems “a bit grim” with housing sandwiched between a highway and a mall, so more green space would be especially important to combat that environment.

But the development plans were approved by the members of the Harbour East – Marine Drive Community Council, who were the only councillors allowed to vote on the issue.

They include area councillor Sam Austin, who said there was enough good things in the design for him to support it. He said it was good to see improved pedestrian and cycling connections through the site into the Shubie Park trail network, and there are existing nearby sport courts.

Austin said he appreciated that the tallest residential towers will go along Highway 111, creating a separation from established neighbourhoods “we would dream of” in other urban core developments.

“Growing a city is not easy,” Austin said, adding that he knows more traffic and people moving into an area is tough for current residents.

“But we also can’t hold the place in stasis. We have to manage these challenges of growth as best as we can, and situate this stuff … in the right spots.”

The first phase of the project includes the new transit terminal, 17-storey special care facility with 400 bedrooms, and an addition to the west side of the mall up to 13 storeys including parking, office and entertainment space.

The developer’s consultants, WM Fares Architects, said during the meeting that there will be underground parking included in the new residential buildings as well as within the above-ground parking structure.

Exact construction timelines will come later as the development moves into the detailed design and permitting stages.

Regional council passed the various planning changes needed for the overall site, which can eventually handle up to 4,600 housing units.

Another development agreement for the remaining western corner of the lands owned by Irving includes about 1,000 housing units in a mixed-use project around the current Bluenose Building.

Municipal staff said they are still reviewing that proposal, which will come back to community council at a later date.

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