Council approves twin tower project

Halifax Regional Council has approved the construction of a controversial development in the city's downtown core.

The project, dubbed the"twisted sisters," proposes the construction of 27-storey twin towers that will house a hotel and condominiums.

• FROM MARCH 1, 2006: Twin towers draw mixed reaction

At Tuesday night's municipal council meeting, councillors voted 15-5 in favour of the project, proposed by United Gulf Developments, after a three-hour debate. Despite the approval, councillors say they believe their decision will be appealed to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, commonly known as the URB.

The project is controversial because of its modern design and fears that it will ruin the view of Halifax Harbour from Citadel Hill.

One of the few councillors to vote against the project, Patrick Murphy, said he agrees with residents who oppose the project.

"I feel the views are encroached and I don't think it's consistent with the planning strategy," Murphy said.

The majority of councillors agreed the project will change the view from Citadel Hill but stressed that is not the same as infringing on the 10 protected view planes in the downtown planning strategy. They said the project respects those view planes so had to be allowed to go ahead.

Coun. Bob Harvey went further saying the twin tower proposal is just what the area needs.

"I believe the development, with a thousand people living, working and staying in it, will aid in sustaining a revitalized Barrington Street and downtown Capital District," Harvey said.

Coun. Brad Johns agreed but added he doesn't think council will have the last word on the matter.

"Regardless, the decision will probably be appealed to the URB or some other body that's beyond us," Johns said.

In fact, a spokesperson for the Heritage Trust, a group opposed to the development, said that possibility will be discussed at the group's board meeting to be held this weekend.

In Cape Breton, the way has been cleared for the development for a controversial hotel-condominium project overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Municipal council voted to amend a bylaw that protects six view planes of the harbour. The two closest to the harbour were eliminated. The proposed project would have infringed on those view planes.