Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr has approved development agreements for two sites designated as special planning areas under the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act.

One of the agreements  is for a mixed-use community of up to 905 units on the former Penhorn Mall lands in Dartmouth. The proposed development by Clayton Developments Ltd. and Crombie REIT will include 860 apartments and 45 townhouses, as well as new parks, trails and an active transportation network.

HRM will receive 12 per cent of the appraised value of the site from the developer and will invest the majority of those funds in new or existing affordable housing and the rest in community art or cultural spaces. The appraisal process is not yet complete; however, it is expected to generate millions to be invested in affordable housing options at the Penhorn location or another site in HRM.

The other approval is for Armco Capital’s proposal to develop up to 150 lots at the Indigo Shores special planning area in Middle Sackville. To support the development, the Minister also approved an amendment to a by-law that limited development within the subdivision to 25 lots a year.

The projects are still subject to required permitting, fees and regulatory requirements as specified in the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act.

“Overcoming this housing crisis is going to take a unified approach, creative solutions and a willingness to do things differently,” said Minister Lohr. “Our population is growing, and these special planning areas are an example of how the elimination of red tape and working in partnership with HRM and the development community will help thousands of people access housing faster.”