PLANAPP 2025-01681 – 1290-1300 OXFORD ST, HALIFAX

Request

Application by FBM & Westwood Construction Limited on behalf of a property owner, requesting to enter into a heritage development agreement on lands at 1290-1300 Oxford St, Halifax (PIDs 00078162 & 00078170) to permit a multi-unit residential development (located entirely on PID 00078162) consisting of one 14-storey tower with two levels of underground parking, as well as landscaping improvements to both properties.

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
1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, also known as First Baptist Church, has been a cornerstone of Halifax’s Baptist community since its dedication in 1950. Designed by the Ontario architectural firm Bruce Brown & Brisley, with local supervision by architect Allan Duffus, the church is a highly representative example of the Neo-Gothic style. Constructed by the Brookfield Construction Company, the stone-clad church retains excellent architectural integrity. The congregation of First Baptist Church traces its roots to 1827 and has played a significant role in the religious, cultural, and social history of Halifax, including responses to the Halifax Explosion and both World Wars.

Proposal

New Construction

The applicant is proposing the construction of a new multi-unit residential building located on 1290 Oxford Street, the property immediately south of the registered heritage property (1300 Oxford Street). The new building is proposed to be 14 storeys tall and to contain 98 units. The new building will be physically separated from the church. Two storeys of underground parking are proposed to provide parking for 55 vehicles (4 accessible spaces), as well as a bike room and storage lockers. The underground parking entrance is proposed to be accessed via Oxford Street. The ground level is proposed to include 3,452sqft of indoor amenity space and 2,136sqft of outdoor amenity space.

Church Rehabilitation

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. Staff will review possible conservation measures for the church building with the applicant and will update this page when more details can be provided. Any conservation work proposed must conform to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada (2^nd Edition).

Development Agreement Scope

If approved, the development agreement would allow the property owner to construct a 14-storey, multi-residential building at 1290 Oxford Street (PID 00078162), adjacent to a registered heritage property at 1300 Oxford Street (PID 00078170). The development agreement would also require the property owner to conserve/rehabilitate the registered heritage property at 1300 Oxford Street, 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).