It’s been known for months that Research In Motion, developer of the wireless handheld computer-cellphone, will set up a technical support centre in Halifax before 2010.

But a staff report going before Halifax Regional Council tonight reveals the company has "entered into negotiations" with city hall to acquire a 20-hectare property near the Hammonds Plains Road-Bicentennial Highway interchange.

The Ontario-based company would like to start construction in the next few weeks on the proposed $230-million building that would employ 1,200 people but needs council’s permission to bend the rules to accommodate the 33-metre-high, seven-storey structure. That’s because three months ago, council approved the Bedford West secondary planning strategy, a guide that will ensure a "campus-style environment" will take root in the new community on the west side of the Bicentennial...

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