Proposed Skye Halifax project moves to next stage

The proposed Skye Halifax development for Granville Street has made it over its first hurdle as council decided to consider the project, against the adviceHRM planners.

Skye Halifax would be two 48-storey towersmore than twice as high as HRM by Design allows for that part of downtown Halifax.

The HRM staff report recommended Tuesday for that reason the project should not be approved.

The height cap allowed under current regulations is 66 metres.

However, several councillors said Tuesday they liked the bold look of the proposed building.

The development would cost $350 million and include condos, hotel rooms, restaurants and retail space.

The building would be LEED-certified, meaning it meets an internationally-recognized green building certification system.

The rendering shows twin curved towers that are supposed to resemble sails.

Coun. Darren Fisher said he thinks Skye Halifax deserves a closer look.

"I guess if you're not willing to build tall buildings downtown where are you going to build? Let's ask the public if they're ready for this, and see if they're prepared to move forward on thislet's ask them," Fisher said.

Coun. Jim Smithagreed the development deserves a complete hearing.

"I think it's an opportunity as it was before for the urban area, for Halifax in particular to become an iconic city, with an iconic development, something that we can all be proud of," Smith said Tuesday.

"We really have to look at our height differently, as far as the HRM by Design plans, there is no plan that is set in stone," Smith added.

Coun. Jennifer Watts argued allowing it to proceed through a development agreement would undermine the years of public consultation on the newly adopted planning rules.

"What this is offering is always the opportunity for the developer to come and change the face of the plan," Watts said.

The vote was 14 to six to let the process proceed, but planning staff say before it can get underway, developer Navid Saberi, head of United Gulf Developments Ltd. has to submit studies the impact of wind and shadows.

This is United Gulf's second shot for a development on the former TexPark site. Its predecessorthe $150 million Twisted Sister projectwas approved in 2006but never built, and the agreement expired in 2010.