United Gulf Planning Approvals

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has 21 plan areas, each with at least one Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law. Many of these Plans are dated and do not anticipate or easily enable larger buildings or mixed-use proposals. As a result, the large majority of approvals for significant buildings in HRM must be conducted through some form of planning approval: rezoning, site plan approval, development agreement, or even an amendment to the Plan.

United Gulf Developments has a number of active and upcoming development projects across HRM; all of which are of a scope requiring planning approvals. United Gulf has retained UPLAND to shepherd many of these projects through HRM’s various approval processes. This includes policy analysis and design recommendations; coordinating content from architects, engineers, and other development professionals to construct a compelling application package; building relationships with staff, residents, and councilors; and ensuring applications receive attention from HRM and move forward in a timely manner.

UPLAND works hard to pro-actively understand the planning and political context to reduce risk and friction in the approvals process. We also know development is a dynamic industry and advocate for planning approvals that leave flexibility for future changes to approved development proposals.

To date, UPLAND has obtained approval for over 900 dwelling units as well as dozens of commercial units for United Gulf. Among them, UPLAND recently received approval for one of the largest downtown, mixed-use projects in Halifax history; Skye Halifax will contain over 410 residential units, 130 hotel rooms, and 2,350 m2 of retail area.