A major overhaul of Saint John’s zoning bylaw is expected to be voted on by council on Monday night.
The proposed changes are meant to provide a much-needed boost to the housing supply throughout the city.
Among the changes brought forward by city staff in the past few months include;
- increasing the as-of-right number of permitted units within fully serviced residential zones to four;
- increasing the maximum number of dwelling units permitted within the residential intensification areas to six as appropriate;
- increasing density in proximity to post-secondary education institutions and primary corridors;
- increasing the maximum height allowance in the Mid-rise Residential zone (RM) to five to six storeys; and
- permitting garden suites and secondary suites within all residential zones as appropriate.
During a public hearing in December, a well-known developer in the city spoke in favour of the proposed changes.
“The city’s bylaw reform is going to have some very far-reaching positive effects in easing our housing crisis,” Rick Turner told council.
Turner said the key to getting out of the housing crisis is not just building new homes and apartment buildings, but overbuilding.
“The marketplace will dictate whether there should be more. And if we overbuild, then there’s a chance that you’re going to see some price stabilization in homes and you’re going to see some competition in the rental market,” he added.
Saint John is aiming to add 1,124 net new residential units over three years as part of its Housing Accelerator Fund agreement with the federal government.
