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Request
Request
Application by WM Fares on behalf of a property owner, requesting to enter into a heritage development agreement on lands at 5522-5540 Russell Street, Halifax (PID 00127332), also known as St. Mark’s Church, to permit a 10-storey multi-unit residential building on the registered heritage property, adjacent to but separate from the historic church building, as well as to allow for the rehabilitation of the church building.
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
5522 Russell Street, Halifax, also known as St. Mark’s Church, was registered as a municipal heritage property in 1995. The property contains a brick masonry church building which was designed by architect W.J. Busch and constructed from 1920 to 1921. It is a highly representative example of the gothic revival style. The church has historically served an important role as the garrison church of both the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Royal Canadian Navy. The church displays generally excellent heritage integrity.
Proposal
New Construction
The applicant is proposing the construction of a multi-unit residential building located on the lands of the registered heritage property but built to the west of the existing church building, physically separate from the church. The new building is proposed to be 10-storeys (30m) tall and to contain up to 82 units. Between one and two storeys of underground parking are proposed (depending on geotechnical constraints), providing parking for between 18 and 41 vehicles. Three surface parking/loading spaces are also proposed for use of the Church building. Bicycle parking will adhere to the requirements of the Regional Centre Land-Use Bylaw. The underground and surface parking are proposed to be accessed via a shared driveway fronting on Russell Street.
Church Rehabilitation
A key element of the proposal is the rehabilitation and continued use of the registered heritage building (the church). A non-original (1960s) addition to the church will be modified to reduce its footprint. The original church is proposed to be rehabilitated in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places to enhance its longevity and enable it to continue functioning as a church and community space.
Development Agreement Scope
If approved, the development agreement would allow the property owner to construct a 10-storey, multi-unit residential building on the lands of St. Mark’s Church, a registered heritage property. The development agreement would also require the property owner to rehabilitate the registered heritage building at 5522 Russell Street, Halifax in accordance with the Substantial Alterations Application (HRTG-2023-00201) reviewed by the Heritage Advisory Committee and approved by Regional Council on Sept. 10, 2024 and to follow specific building control parameters for the multi-residential addition, 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 was posted on-site. Public feedback was solicited via a fact-sheet mailout distributed in Fall 2024 to residents within an 80m radius of the site, as well as through the municipal website and a sign posted on-site.
After public engagement was completed, HRM staff reviewed the feedback with the applicant and the applicant revised their proposal. The design of the new building was altered from its original 12-storey, high-rise form to a 10-storey, tall-mid-rise form. Additionally, the design of the 3-storey podium has been revised with a more complementary and pedestrian-oriented design, featuring human-scaled materials such as brick. The site plan has also been revised to include a new parking/loading area for use by the church, accessed via the shared driveway.
Staff have prepared 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 an 80m radius of the site.
Staff have processed an associated application for Substantial Alterations to the municipally registered heritage property (St. Mark’s Church), which was reviewed by the Heritage Advisory Committee and approved by Regional Council on September 10, 2024.
Status
The staff report and recommendation have been reviewed by the Heritage Advisory Committee and will proceed to decision by Halifax and West Community Council. Before Community Council’s decision, a Public Hearing will be held, and advertised through mail-out notifications sent to residents within an 80m radius of the site as well as published on the municipal website here. Details on Heritage Advisory Committee and Community Council meetings and agendas can be found by clicking here.
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, 3rd Floor).
Application Documents: