PLANAPP-2026-01036 - 1041 Tower Road, HALIFAX

Request

Request
Application by EcoGreen Homes on behalf of the property owner requesting to enter into a heritage development agreement on lands at 1041 Tower Road, Halifax (PIDs 00142927 & 41294182) to build a multi-unit residential development consisting of one 3-storey rear addition, as well as landscaping improvements.)

Background
This development agreement is being sought in accordance with Policy CHR-7 of the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (SMPS), which permits Council to consider a development agreement on any lot containing a registered heritage building to encourage the conservation and adaptive re-use of registered heritage buildings.

Heritage Significance
1041 Tower Road is valued for its contribution to the Tower Road Heritage Streetscape, one of Halifax's rare streetscape designations recognizing a cohesive collection of late Victorian Eclectic houses. Constructed circa 1898, the house reflects the architectural character and craftsmanship associated with the period of residential growth in Halifax's South End. The property is distinguished by its eclectic composition, including its complex roofline, projecting bay windows, decorative front porch, moulded frieze boards, scalloped shingles, and ornamental wood detailing. Together with neighbouring heritage homes, it forms an important and well-preserved record of late nineteenth-century domestic architecture in Halifax. 

Proposal

Rear Addition

The applicant is proposing the construction of a new 6-unit residential addition to the rear of the existing building at 1041 Tower Road, Halifax. The new addition is proposed to be 3 stories tall and to contain 6 one-bedroom units. The addition is located on the eastern end of the two parcels, far away from the heritage building, and will not impact or alter any character-defining elements of the heritage property.

Conservation work

One of the policy considerations for a heritage development agreement is requiring a level of investment in conservation work for the heritage property that is proportional to the additional development rights awarded through the agreement. Any conservation work proposed must conform to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada (2^nd Edition). The proposed conservation work includes repairing as much as possible, or replacing if needed, rotten exterior trim and cedar shingles, and replacing existing vinyl windows with wood or aluminum-clad wood windows.

Development Agreement Scope

If approved, the development agreement would allow the property owner to construct a 3-storey 6-unit residential addition at PID 41294182, adjacent to a registered heritage property at 1024 Tower Road (PID 00142927). The development agreement would also require the property owner to conserve/rehabilitate the registered heritage property at 1024 Tower Road, Halifax, and to follow specific building control parameters for the multi-residential building, which will include such controls as height, mass, architectural design, lot coverage, and others. 

Process

Heritage Development agreements are discretionary applications, meaning that they require the approval of Community Council to proceed. Details of the proposal have been published to the municipal website, and a sign will be posted on-site.

In the coming months, public feedback will be solicited via either a fact-sheet mailout or public information meeting, and residents within an 80m radius of the site will be notified by mail of the opportunity to provide feedback. Feedback may also be provided to HRM staff by anyone at any time via the contact details provided below.

After public engagement has been completed, HRM staff will negotiate a development agreement with the applicant and prepare a staff report and recommendation for review by the Heritage Advisory Committee and decision by Halifax and West Community Council. Prior to Community Council decision, a Public Hearing shall be held, and advertised through mail-out notifications sent to residents within a 80m radius of the site. 

Status

This application is in the pre-engagement stage, and the application documents are currently being reviewed by internal and external review agencies. Once the application is deemed ready to proceed to public engagement, residents within an 80m radius of the site will be notified by mail of the public engagement process and given an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed development.

Documents Submitted for Evaluation

The applicant has submitted plans and studies required by HRM staff to properly evaluate the application. The documents are also available for review at the HRM Planning and Development office in Downtown Halifax (5251 Duke St, 3^rd Floor).