A new neighborhood has been given the green light to be developed on the parking lot at Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth that would include thousands of housing units.
Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council approved what will see 2,800 residential units in addition to a new bus terminal, pathways, a small park and cycling facilities.
It’s called the M District.
The development has been in the works since 2022 when W.M. Fares Architechts submitted the plan. The developer is Joe Ramia.
Buildings will range from seven to 40 stories tall.
There was some hesitation from other councillors to go ahead with the project.
Patty Cuttell was one who said there was too much density.
“Councillor Austin talked about schools, well we also have to look at soccer fields. We also have to look at ball fields. We also have to look at rinks and recreation centres,” said Cuttell.
She also wondered if residents would be happy living there for a long time and said the project lacked a sense of “community and livability”.
However, Cuttell was not one of the five members of Council who were able to vote on the project.
Sam Austin is one of them and acknowledging some concerns from the public, he said it’s a beautiful neighborhood and it can tough to think of the additional congestion.
But, he says, we can’t hold the place in “stasis”.
“We have to try and manage these challenges of growth as best as we can and situate this stuff in the right spots,” said Austin.
He said, there is “enough good”, considering alternatives, to support it.
Phase one will include a new transit terminal, a seven to 13 story addition to the west side of the mall with parking and office space, as well as a 17-storey special care housing unit with 400 bedrooms.
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