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2011-06-13_Agenda Packet--Dossier de l'ordre du jourCity of Saint John Common Council Meeting Monday, June 13, 2011 Committee of the Whole Si vous exigez des services franrais pour une r6union de Conseil Communal, s'il vous plait contacter le bureau de la greffiere communale a 658 -2862. 1. Call to Order 5:00 p.m. 8th Floor Boardroom City Hall 1.1 Financial Matter 10.2(4)0) 1.2 Financial Matter 10.2(4)(c, j) 1.3 Employment Matter 10.2(4)(c,j) 1.4 Land Matter 10.2(4)(c,d) 1.5 Employment Matter 10.2(4)(b) Regular Meeting 1. Call to Order — Prayer 5:15 p.m. Council Chamber 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Adoption of Agenda 5:15 p.m. 3.1 City of Saint John's Economic Development Task Force 6:30 p.m. 3.2 Plan SJ: Draft City of Saint John Municipal Plan 16. Adjournment 2 at SAINT JOHN City of Saint John's Economic Development Task Force K3 Recommendations June 13, 2011 .: Outline The City of Saint Jo r Background /Process Guiding Principles Best Practice Summary Executive Summary Detailed Recommendations Next Steps Appendix: • Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 4 SAINT JOHN ■ In February 2011, a Task Force was formed to address the following: 1. Determine if the current economic development model is best for Saint John 2. Is the City receiving Return on Investment for its contributions to Enterprise Saint John ■ Key Assumption: Economic Development is required, our task is to determine if Enterprise Saint John is the best model ■ Process /Approach: ❑ Established Task Force comprising of community leaders and Council members; hired an external facilitator. ❑ Over 60 hours of discussion on economic development ■ 15 Regular meetings held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 90 minutes each on average ■ Individual meetings with each task force member ■ Individual meetings with Councillors ■ Economic Development Workshop held on April 5, from 1 pm — 5pm, facilitated by David Campbell ■ Regular updates to Council at Closed Session ❑ Report Completed: May 19, 2011 ❑ Components reviewed: City's total economic development investment, model, governance, and reporting. ❑ Subject Matter Experts included in the process were David Campbell (Economic Development Consultant), Dora Nicinski (Governance Consultant) 3 5 SAINT JOHN 0 OM Task Force Guidin g Principles The City of Saint John City of Saint John is the major stakeholder; Enterprise Saint John is a regional agency and must also consider other funding partners' requirements Status Quo is not acceptable Ensure the City gets value for money spent Create and use a fact -based review process Use economic development best practices provided by Subject Matter Experts to guide the recommendations Provide a set of recommendations that are specific to the working relationship between Enterprise Saint John and the City of Saint John, but flexible enough to be applied to other economic development partners Ongoing assessment of the model will be required in order to ensure alignment with the future provincial direction (Invest NB still being formed) —� - -• g SAINT JOHN Role of Enterprise Saint John The City of Saint John ■ Recommendations related to attracting people to live within Saint John city limits vs. outlying areas are out of scope for this task force: this is a separate issue that must be led by the City outside the scope of this report. 7 SAINT JOHN Outline The City of Saint John • Background /Process ■ Guiding Principles ■ Best Practice Summary executive Summary Detailed Recommendations • Next Steps • Appendix: • Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 6 8 SAINT JOHN Best Practice Summary The City of Saint John ■ Key Activities of economic development: Attract investment to the region, foster expansion, ensure the value proposition for investment is strong Seek and find not the primary role of Enterprise Saint John Regional vs. Municipal Focus: ❑ Regional economies "don't follow municipal borders" ❑ Value in critical mass ❑ Ensure the area served by the Regional Development Agency is manageable The Role of Regional Development Agencies: Clearly identify local /regional needs and ensure the province acts appropriately Assess and respond to each planning cycle's workforce development needs Cluster /segment development (based on strategic targets) "Own" regional market intelligence Ensure RDA outcomes are aligned with City's key initiatives 9 SAINT JOHN 0 OM Best Practice Summary The City of Saint John ■ Each municipality is responsible for creating their own value proposition to get the appropriate % of the residential tax revenue generated by the Regional Development Agency What are municipalities responsible for? Urban planning and development Creating liveable, safe communities for residents Ensuring people choose to live in the city vs. other parts of the region There is a role for Regional Development Agencies to "sell" the merits of investing, working, and living in the region Ensure there is an internal economic development role on City staff, with solid role definition and communications process with appropriate external agencies 10 SAINT JOHN Outline The City of Saint Jo • Background /Process ■ Guiding Principles ■ Best Practice Summary ■ Executive Summary Detailed r�euu,, ii , endations • Next Steps • Appendix: • Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 9 11 SAINT JOHN The task force identified a number of key issues, and came up with recommendations that are designed to solve those issues over the next 6 months. Responsibility should be assigned by Council to ensure ongoing accountability. Issues: • Fundamental misunderstanding of: • The roles and responsibilities of a Regional Development Agency • Enterprise Saint John's activities, and if they are meeting Saint John's needs by providing value for funding provided • Need for: • Alignment between the City of Saint John and Enterprise Saint John on economic development strategy and activities • Timely delivery of agreed upon metrics and outcomes to show return on investment • There is a critical underlying issue of tax rate inequality between the City and outlying communities, which contributes to a diminished value proposition for the City when trying to attract and retain residents. Recommendations: 1. Strengthen existing economic development model: Improve the link between the City and Enterprise Saint John through the City's proposed economic development role. This proposed role would also coordinate activities for businesses within City Hall. 2. Develop a Service Level Agreement, including Return on Investment metric and reporting processes, aligned with City of Saint John priorities 3. Increase alignment between the City and Enterprise Saint John: A. Clarify Mayor /Council's expectation of Enterprise Saint John Board Appointees on role and interaction B. Improve alignment through a cooperative strategic planning process C. Provide input to the Annual Performance Review process of Enterprise Saint John CEO 4. Apply Governance and alignment recommendations to other boards, agencies, and commissions 1. Coordinate recommendations with City's phased approach to reorganization 2. Review and update appointment process for agencies, boards, and commissions 10 12 SAINT JOHN Outline The City of Saint Jo • Background /Process ■ Guiding Principles ■ Best Practice Summary — executive Summary Detailed Recommendations ■ Next Steps ■ Appendix: • Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 11 13 SAINT JOHN Recommendations — a�M Model and Activities The City of Saint John Strengthen existing economic development model: Improve the link between the City and Enterprise Saint John through the City's proposed economic development role. This proposed role would also coordinate activities for businesses within City Hall. i Based on Best Practices, municipalities of this size have at least one economic development full -time employee as part of City Hall. • This role has already been identified as part of the City Manager's reorganization plan. Further work is required on the part of City Administration to create the role profile, in consultation with subject matter experts in economic development, and hiring should take place as per the reorganization plan. • Sample activities provided by David Campbell, Economic Development Consultant: • Develops economic development priorities for City Hall. These priorities should be incorporated into ESJ's economic development strategy for the region but be specific to the City of Saint John. • Acts as liaison between City Hall and the city's various external economic development - related organizations. Ensures City Hall priorities are reflected in their efforts. • Coordinates the economic development committee of City Hall" • Acts as single point of contact for economic development projects within the city. Helps businesses navigate City Hall departments and other appropriate agencies. • Sets economic development priorities for various neighbourhoods within Saint John in conjunction with other relevant staff and in line with PlanSJ. • Answers questions from Council on economic development activities. • Liaises with Enterprise Saint John's CEO • Facilitates effective communications flow: Council to City Manager to Enterprise Saint John CEO "Note that a mechanism for bringing key stakeholders together to regularly discuss economic development issues is required; how this is accomplished is Council's decision 12 14 SAINT JOHN Recommendations A um A and Transparency The City of Saint John Develop a Service Level Agreement, including Return on Investment metric and reporting processes, aligned with City of Saint John priorities. ■ The Service level agreement should include Enterprise Saint John's key outcomes, and should be clearly in line with the City's strategic direction. • Long term funding should be in place, with annual reviews to validate the work being done by Enterprise Saint John • Metrics: F07 • Metrics package provided to the Mayor and Council should be simplified yet robust. • A balance between hard numbers and meaningful qualitative metrics should be created, with input and support from the City. • The city's Economic Development Specialist and an Enterprise Saint John staff member should work with a recognized and respected economic development subject matter expert to jointly create a simple, straightforward format • A draft Return on Investment metric (based on David Campbell's model) is included in the Appendix for Council's feedback to start this process. Reporting Process: • The reporting process should be managed by the City's economic development specialist, with a coordinated approach across all economic development agencies, boards, and commissions • The economic development specialist should first review Enterprise Saint John's annual metrics package to allow for feedback and open dialogue around the report. • Once this initial review is completed, it should go to Council in Closed Session to discuss budget and other concerns. • An Open Session annual review should be done for all economic development agencies, boards, and commissions so the public can understand the activities Enterprise Saint John (and other economic development agencies, boards, and commissions) is performing for the tax dollars provided. 13 15 SAINT JOHN �VcJ,� f Recommendations I*- um Alignment an rans arenc The City of Saint John p y Increase alignment between the City and Enterprise Saint John: A. Clarify Mayor /Council's expectation of Enterprise Saint John Board Appointees on role /interaction B. Improve alignment through a cooperative strategic planning process C. Provide input to the Annual Performance Review process of Enterprise Saint John CEO ■ Clarify City's expectation of Board Appointees on role and interaction: ❑ Mayor and Council should provide documentation and clear direction on the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the City's five Enterprise Saint John Board Appointees • Mayor and Council should provide clear direction on the strategic direction of the City and how this applies to the decisions made by the Enterprise Saint John Board Members • Mayor and Council should provide a list of 3 -5 "hot topics" to the Board Appointees that require additional discussion and input. These should include topics such as Annual Performance Review process, or major /strategic projects and /or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and requiring consistent messaging. ❑ Regular updates from City's Board Appointees back to the Mayor and Council are required and should be coordinated through the City's "Economic Development Specialist" ■ Improve alignment through a cooperative strategic planning process • The city's Economic Development Specialist will be responsible for ensuring Enterprise Saint John is aware and in line with the City's direction. The City's strategic direction is to be clearly communicated and openly discussed with Enterprise Saint John annually, but also when there are unplanned changes in the region. • Clear set of outcomes must support of the City's strategic direction. These outcomes should be included in a Service Level Agreement and refreshed annually as required. ■ Provide input to the Annual Performance Review process of Enterprise Saint John CEO ❑ The Board Chair of Enterprise Saint John asks the City Manager for input into the Annual Performance Review of the CEO of Enterprise Saint John 14 16 SAINT JOHN Recommendations A um Broader Application The City of Saint John Apply Governance and alignment recommendations to other boards, agencies, and commissions 1.Coordinate recommendations with City's phased approach to reorganization 2.Review and update appointment process for agencies, boards, and commissions ■ Coordinate recommendations with City's phased approach to reorganization: • Ensure the City's reorganization efforts are completed as per the phased approach • Complete the internal reorganization first, then move to the work to restructure the agencies, boards, and commissions ■ Review and update appointment process for agencies, boards, and commissions • City's economic development specialist should be the liaison across all economic development agencies, boards, and commissions • Ensure there are clear mandates and methods to communicate between the city and all agencies, boards, and commissions • A similar position in other departments should act as the liaison across their respective agencies, boards, and commissions 15 17 SAINT JOHN The City of Saint John Outline Background /Process • Guiding Principles • Best Practice Summary w Executive Summary Detailed Recommendations • Next Steps • Appe, dix: • Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 16 18 SAINT JOHN Next Steps/Questions The City of Saint John ■ The task force recommends that Common Council adopt the following motions: To accept the task force's recommendations which are based on best practices To create a Service Level Agreement between the City and Enterprise Saint John, including, at a minimum: Common Council priorities and objectives Detailed Description of Services Enterprise Saint John's Strategic Direction and 3 -Year Objectives Metrics and Expected Outcomes Reporting Process CEO's performance review process and expectations Provide long term funding to Enterprise Saint John in accordance with the Service Level Agreement 6- - 19 SAINT JOHN Outline The City of Saint Jo Background /Process • Guiding Principles • Best Practice Summary w Executive Summary Detailed Recommendations ■ Next Steps Appendix: Draft Return on Investment Metric • Economic Development Budget Numbers • Note from Co- Chairs 8 20 SAINT JOHN Sample Return on Investment Metric Return on City of Saint John Investment - 2010 Illustrative example of quantification methodology Calculated May 19, 2011 1 New employment activity impacted directly by ESJ 2 Estimated proportion of employees who live in Saint John 3 Saint John residential property tax rate 4 Average value of owned dwellings 5 Average residential property tax bill 6 Adjustment for employment income 7 Estimated residential property taxes supported per job 8 Estimated residential property taxes supported by ESJ 9 New employment 10 Employment retained 11 Total employment impacted by ESJ 12 Estimated square foot per employee 13 Total square footage 14 Estimated proportion within Saint John 15 Estimated property tax per square foot 16 Total commercial property taxes supported From Line 11 below Line 3 x Line 4 Factor supplied by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants Line 5 x Line 6 Line 1 x Line 2 x Line 7 Notes A 1,245 B 58% 1.785 C $ 155,000 $ 2,767 69% 1,909 $ 1,366,647 Manufacturing Retail Service &related &related &related Totals 207 438 600 D 1,245 207 438 600 1,245 500 1,000 200 E 103,500 438,000 120,000 661,500 95% 95% 95% F $ 1.50 $ 2.50 $ 2.50 G $ 147,488 $ 1,040,250 $ 285,000 H $ 1,472,738 17 Total municipal property taxes supported directly through ESJ activities Line 8+ Line 16 $ 2,839,384 18 City of Saint John financial contribution to ESJ in 2010 $ 432,750 19 Return on Municipal Investment (for every dollar invested) $ 6.56 19 21 SAINT JOHN Sample Return on Investment um Metric (Notes The City of Saint John Notes A This analysis quantifies the estimated property tax revenue generated for the City of Saint John on direct employment in 2010 which ESJ had an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the City, within the three years ended December 31, 2010. While the average life span of the jobs created is well in excess of three years, this time frame presents a trackable base. This calculation does not include contractors or indirect employment in those organizations which service the new employers, or construct their buildings or leasehold improvements. This calculation does not assign value to the numerous jobs supported by ESJ through workforce initiatives with employers. B Proportion of population in Census Metropolitan Area which resided in the City of Saint John based upon the 2006 Canadian Census. C This is an estimate based upon year to date 2011 MLS data, reduced for inflation. D These are the number of full -time equivalent jobs that were in existance as of December 31, 2010, which ESJ had played an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the three years ended December 31, 2010. E Manufacturing and service company estimates of average square foot per employee were provided by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants, based upon a study conducted by a national accounting firm. The estimated average square footage per employee were based upon industry standard provided by East Point Shopping. F Estimate based upon review of the specific employers and their operating locations. G Estimates used by David Campbell ofJupia Consultants in a recent study completed in rural Nova Scotia. Saint John rates may exceed these estimates. Efforts will be made in future to determine best metrics for the City of Saint John. This schedule is to serve as a draft for discussion purposes only. H Line 13 x Line 14 x Line 15 20 22 SAINT JOHN Enterprise Saint John The City of Saint a„n Investment Attraction Activities Enterprise Saint John has a staff of 2 -3 economic development officers who are responsible for the numerous actions related to Business Investment Attraction. These investment client interactions generally occur over a prolonged period of time. 1. Community Presentations to Potential Investors 2. Guided Tours of local Real Estate opportunities both commercial & industrial 3. Coordination with municipal officials regarding zoning, permitting regulations 4. Introductions /meetings with officials /politicians' from all 3 levels of government 5. Local Business stakeholders and Supply Chain companies' engagement 6. In -depth market research requests from Investors. 7. Workforce Availability 23 SAINT JOHN Development Assistance Program $1,800,000 UNBSJ Grant 1Fa $100,000 V.— Market Sq. Common Area $1,992,535 19°6 DMO $925,206 9°6 Harbour Station $567,966 5% ESJ 17,319 City's Economic Development Budget (Combined Operating and Capital) Fairville Blvd. PlanSJ Harbourfront Condo Industrial $100,000 Dev'tAssist.Implementation Plaza Park 1 °6 Program $100,000 $350,000 $1,130,000 Property acquisition \ $500,000 19I 4% 11°6 Waterfront $100,000 �� 656 1 °6 Development $1,180,000 Heritage Grants 11% $200,000 2°6 U N BSI G rar $200,00 2% arket Square mmon Area $2,015,139 1 23°6 City Market $1,414,000 Trade &Conv. 13% Centre $1,020,728 10% 2009 Total: $10,557,754 2010 eX Total: $10,625,923 Development ESJ Assistance $432,750 Program 4% UNBSI Grant $1,000,000 Industrial Park $100,000 _ n .� $1,107,875 1% 10% Market Square Common Area Waterfront $1,992,360 Development 19°9 $1,870,000 DMO 18'.5 $925,206 City Market 9116 Harbour Station Trade &Conv. $1,149,881 $988,033 Centre 11°6 $1,059,818 U�O — Industrial Park $491,000 ' 616 Waterfront Development $1,213,000 14 ":. DMO Trade & Conv. $925,000 Harbour Centre 10% Station $688,662 $435,774 S "o City Market $1,103,226 12% 2011 Total: $8,822,368 22 24 SAINT JOHN Enterprise Saint John's The Ci of Saint J ohn Annual Revenue All F t1 2009 (Actual) Total: $2,167,233 Special Misc. Fees & Projects Sponsorships, $250,168_ _ 15,630(14e) ACOA /Prov.of 1146 NB $355,400 True Growth - 16 °6 Other projects $576,474 Municipalities $622,759 27 °6 True Growth- 294 Workforce .11111�k SEED onnexion $67,406 3% True Growth Other $69,097(4% 2010 (Actual) Total: $1,704,921 Special Projects $474,619 28 ^, Misc. Fees & Sponsorships 1$22,000 (146) Municipalities $636,309 37 °E: True Growth \-SEED Connexion Workforce $75,730 Expansion S% $73,249 (4 %) 23 25 ACOA/ Prov. of "B $355,400 2011 (Budget) _ 1346 Total: $1,883,858 Special Projects $125,000 7 — ,frue G rowth - Other projects $475,000 25 "i. Misc. Fees & ACOA /Prov. Sponsorships of NB $20,000 (1%) $355,400 19;0 Municipalities True G rowth - J _ Workforce SEED Expansion Connexion $230,000 $66,000 1240 346 Enterprise Saint John's „e�,of�„a „� Annual Revenue- Municipalities 2009 (Actual) Total: $622,789 G rand St. Martins Bay /Westfield -- $1,438 $22,748(4%) - - - - - -- 0°,6 -Rothesay $77,003 quispamsis 1L° $94,281 15% Saintlohn $427,319 69'. .t 2010 (Actual) Total: $636,309 G ran d St. Martins Eay /V",Ati I,1 $1,419 ti22,77 {a 00,6 Rothesay 579,296 12, quispamsis $100,065 16 °o Saintlohn $432,756 6W, 9101 2011 (Budget) Total: $610,446 Grand St. Martins Bay /Westfield_ r $1,441 $23,388 (4 °6) - 0 ". Rothesay $81,356 13" • QU spamsis $103,694 1T,o Saintlohn $400,567 66” Note f• Co-Chairs The City of Saint John ■ The following task force members created this report: Mayor Ivan Court (Co- Chair) Councillor Chris Titus (Co- Chair) Councillor Patty Higgins Councillor Peter McGuire Pat Woods Minister Margaret Ann Blaney Kathy Craig Tony Gogan Dale Knox John Irving Mayor Grace Losier (Ex- Officio) 27 SAINT JOHN ENTERPRISE SAINT JOHN • ACTIONS Enterprise Saint John takes the 'lead' role in coordinating these actions in the Saint John region. 1. Community Presentations to Potential Investors 2. Guided Tours of local Real Estate opportunities both commercial & industrial 3. Coordination with municipal officials regarding zoning, permitting regulations 4. Introductions /meetings with officials /politicians' from all 3 levels of government 5. Local Business stakeholders and Supply Chain companies' engagement 6. In -depth market research requests from Investors 7. Workforce Availability Enterprise Saint John has a staff of 2 -3 economic development officers who are responsible for the numerous actions related to Business Investment Attraction. These investment client interactions generally occur over a prolonged period of time. 1. Community Presentations to Potential Investors. These presentations include current information regarding: - Saint John's labour profile (Wage levels, level of education, presence of specialized skills, current employers in the community with sector breakdown, Labour management /relations issues, training capabilities /programs, educational facilities (community college, university, high school), catchment area for potential labor, commuting times, unemployment figures /underemployment estimates, Employment Standards Legislation) - Real Estate availability - Infrastructure - Municipal Taxes /Development Charges - Planning /Permitting regulations - Transportation Logistics (Airport, Rail Service, Port, Highways) - Proximity to Market - Proximity to natural resources Potential Funding /Incentive or Innovation programs Business Support Services: Finance, Communications /Administration / Technology Partners - Supply Chain Services 2. Guided Tours of local Real Estate opportunities both commercial & industrial. Tours are coordinated as required with the Saint John Industrial Parks, the Saint John Port Authority, Saint John Waterfront Development Corp., Uptown Saint John, Saint John Airport Authority, local industry and developers. 3. Coordination with municipal officials regarding zoning, permitting regulations. Enterprise Saint John maintains ongoing interactions with local government to ensure seamless business integration into the region. Reducing 'red tape' is fundamental to business attraction. 4. Introductions /meetings with officials /politicians' from all 3 levels of government. Investors often require 'official' government support before proceeding with a project. 5. Local Business stakeholders and Supply Chain companies' engagement. Investors appreciate access to local business leaders, suppliers, contractors and technology companies that could impact their business success. 6. In -depth market research requests from Investors. It is critical that these requests are addressed immediately as quick response times increase the community's investment attraction success rate. 7. Workforce Availability. Investors who are new to the region often need Workforce information. Enterprise Saint John provides accurate Labour Market, wage incentive, & Human Resources information and access to university, community college and private sector trainers to Investors. Enterprise Saint John Return on City of Saint John Investment - 2010 Illustrative example of quantification methodology Calculated May 19, 2011 18 City of Saint John financial contribution to ESJ in 2010 19 Return on Municipal Investment (for every dollar invested) Notes $ 432,750 $ 6.56 A This analysis quantifies the estimated property tax revenue generated for the City of Saint John on direct employment in 2010 which ESJ had an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the City, within the three years ended December 31, 2010. While the average life span of the jobs created is well in excess of three years, this time frame presents a trackable base. This calculation does not include contractors or indirect employment in those organizations which service the new employers, or construct their buildings or leasehold improvements. This calculation does not assign value to the numerous jobs supported by ESJ through workforce initiatives with employers. B Proportion of population in Census Metropolitan Area which resided in the City of Saint John based upon the 2006 Canadian Census. C This is an estimate based upon year to date 2011 MILS data, reduced for inflation. D These are the number of full -time equivalent jobs that were in existance as of December 31, 2010, which ESJ had played an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the three years ended December 31, 2010. E Manufacturing and service company estimates of average square foot per employee were provided by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants, based upon a study conducted by a national accounting firm. The estimated average square footage per employee were based upon industry standard provided by East Point Shopping. F Estimate based upon review of the specific employers and their operating locations. G Estimates used by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants in a recent study completed in rural Nova Scotia. Saint John rates may exceed these estimates. Efforts will be made in future to determine best metrics for the City of Saint John. This schedule is to serve as a draft for discussion purposes only. H Line 13 x Line 14 x Line 15 29 Notes 1 New employment activity impacted directly by ESJ From Line 11 below A 1,245 2 Estimated proportion of employees who live in Saint John B 58% 3 Saint John residential property tax rate 1.785 4 Average value of owned dwellings C $ 155,000 5 Average residential property tax bill Line 3 x Line 4 $ 2,767 6 Adjustment for employment income Factor supplied by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants 69% 7 Estimated residential property taxes supported per job Line 5 x Line 6 1,909 8 Estimated residential property taxes supported by ESJ Line 1 x Line 2 x Line 7 $ 1,366,647 Manufacturing Retail Service & related & related & related Totals 9 New employment D 1,245 10 Employment retained - 11 Total employment impacted by ESJ 207 438 600 1,245 12 Estimated square foot per employee 500 1,000 200 E 13 Total square footage 103,500 438,000 120,000 661,500 14 Estimated proportion within Saint John 95% 95% 95% F 15 Estimated property tax per square foot $ 1.50 $ 2.50 $ 2.50 G 16 Total commercial property taxes supported $ 147,488 $ 1,040,250 $ 285,000 H $ 1,472,738 17 Total municipal property taxes supported directly through ESJ activities Line 8+ Line 16 $ 2,839,384 18 City of Saint John financial contribution to ESJ in 2010 19 Return on Municipal Investment (for every dollar invested) Notes $ 432,750 $ 6.56 A This analysis quantifies the estimated property tax revenue generated for the City of Saint John on direct employment in 2010 which ESJ had an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the City, within the three years ended December 31, 2010. While the average life span of the jobs created is well in excess of three years, this time frame presents a trackable base. This calculation does not include contractors or indirect employment in those organizations which service the new employers, or construct their buildings or leasehold improvements. This calculation does not assign value to the numerous jobs supported by ESJ through workforce initiatives with employers. B Proportion of population in Census Metropolitan Area which resided in the City of Saint John based upon the 2006 Canadian Census. C This is an estimate based upon year to date 2011 MILS data, reduced for inflation. D These are the number of full -time equivalent jobs that were in existance as of December 31, 2010, which ESJ had played an active and beneficial role in creating or retaining within the three years ended December 31, 2010. E Manufacturing and service company estimates of average square foot per employee were provided by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants, based upon a study conducted by a national accounting firm. The estimated average square footage per employee were based upon industry standard provided by East Point Shopping. F Estimate based upon review of the specific employers and their operating locations. G Estimates used by David Campbell of Jupia Consultants in a recent study completed in rural Nova Scotia. Saint John rates may exceed these estimates. Efforts will be made in future to determine best metrics for the City of Saint John. This schedule is to serve as a draft for discussion purposes only. H Line 13 x Line 14 x Line 15 29 Draft Municipal Plan Up For Review PlanSJ PlanSJ Common Coun June 13, 2011 Y.M. Engagement cil URBAN TEGIES INC . 1. What we Heard from the April PlanSJ Engagement 2. Overview of the Draft Municipal Plan 3. "Up for Review" Public Engagement 4. Next Steps in Finalizing the Municipal Plan .0 a r ICSP & Our Saint John Community Vision Zoning & Neighbourhood Service Plans Investment Sub - division Plans Strategy Bylaws ��nsJ City of Saint John Citizen Advisory Committee Urban Strategies 0-12 Building on City Initiatives Research & Technical Studies City of Saint John Saint John Growth & Change Strategy and Municipal Plan FINAL Technical Background Report Community Engagement 3 Iva- i-A , hO A loth, 1010 L6534MII �� /�)� /, -Pa vs� //��.�. � �f�I Q�Q STRATEGIES �/ INC pnn .4,,,.._., Community Engagement 3 Iva- i-A , Shaping the best future for the City Celebrating Saint John's many waterfronts The strong heart of the Greater Saint John Region Healthy, unique and inclusive neighbourhoods A progressive, robust and prosperous economy Protecting the natural environment and ecosystems Growing the City smarter with complete & compact communities An enviable quality of life, choice and experience A strong plan for action and making change III III U [:i1[01Ins 1. Public Project Launch (Jan 2010) 2. Opportunities &Directions Workshop (June 2010) 3. Choices for Growth &Change Workshop (Oct 2010) 4. Saint John's Choice for Growth & Change Open House (Dec 2010) 5. Adoption of Growth Strategy Report (March 2011) 6. Putting the Plan on Paper &Priority Neighbourhood Workshops (April 2011) 7. Draft Municipal Plan Up for Review Open House (June 2011) • E,. ■ a invitations to uengagement 148,228 sent events were presentations • 4 have been given to community groups T : .......................................... ............................... ....................................... ............................... 1012 people visited � • � people are PlanSJ the PlanSJ IVI Facebook fans Storefront ........................................................................................................................ ............................... • • number of people at public workshops youth 13 • • • • workshops r ^ youth Common • • • attended Council updates ........................................................................................................................ ............................... Citizen developers and 291, Advisory editions of PlanSJ An landowners Committee newsletter attended a targeted meetings distributed focus group ........................................................................................................................ ............................... written comments people signed up for 5�. received on PlanSJ the PlanSJ contact/ distribution list ..................................... ............................... 0 7( interviews stakeholder representing groups ........................... 197, 50C copies of "Insight" magazine (the City's official publication) featuring PlanSJ were distribute 1 City structure - Plan the City good reflection of for living in, the Growth not just Strategy visiting V City should take a more active role 1 in environmental protection Uptown & UNBSJ Support expansion Hospital Primary needs of local industries Centres serve - pulp & paper, brewery different purposes and should complement each other rather than compete Ensure space is available for industrial sector to expand Design & service the City with balanced Itransportation options - walking, cycling, transit and driving [design eed incentives flexible urban criteria to support development Address site specific requests Maintain diversity of housing Reduce parking needs in Uptown, transitioned slowly over time with more transit service P&WS G� OUR CITY- OUR FUTURE NOTRE VILLE•NOTRE AVENIR Vision for Change & Unclear vision, unrealistic Growth growth assumptions Quality of Life & Not an identified priority Neighbourhoods General Land Use Limited guidance & lack of predictability Urban Design No Policy Clearly defined vision & City Structure, Realistic growth targets Primary focus Focus on invigorating urban & priority neighbourhoods Areas of growth and of stability Mixed use complete communities Industrial uses directed to specific locations Rural residential directed to specific locations Urban Design Principles established Plan Topics AOL Vision for Change & Unclear vision, unrealistic Growth growth assumptions Quality of Life & Not an identified priority Neighbourhoods General Land Use Limited guidance & lack of predictability Urban Design No Policy Clearly defined vision & City Structure, Realistic growth targets Primary focus Focus on invigorating urban & priority neighbourhoods Areas of growth and of stability Mixed use complete communities Industrial uses directed to specific locations Rural residential directed to specific locations Urban Design Principles established Environment Infrastructure & Municipal Servicing Economy Weak or non - existing policy Strong environmental policies Extensive infrastructure expansion Traditional employment base Maximize use of existing infrastructure & serviced areas Support for economic diversification Transportation Car - oriented Balanced (driving, walking, transit and cycling) Plan Topics Neighbourhood Planning Investment Strategy No clearly defined program Process for neighbourhood plans Integrated with operational None and capital budgets Fiscal policies to assess impacts of new projects Implementation & No program Plan review every 5 years Monitoring Annual report cards Introducing the DRAFT Municipal Plan Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: City Structure Chapter 3: Land Use Chapter 4: Urban Design Chapter 5: Housing Chapter 6: Economic Prosperity Chapter 7: Natural Environment & Energy Chapter 8: Transportation & Mobility Chapter 9: Municipal Services & Infrastructure Chapter 10: Community Facilities Chapter 11: Arts, Culture & Heritage Chapter 12: Implementation P&WS G� OUR CITY- OUR FUTURE NOTRE VILLE•NOTRE AVENIR Phase 1: Where to Grow Opportunity Areas: Areas of Change .- t Jam,, �tg 1 i; Phase 2: How to Grow Defines the Extent of Change i • M i 4 A- :fi,.0 G i I / I ` y � is C,� :. ��, ." -•� � f I I • J � J I •o VY-: JI o j i • ••tip • \ �. .T Primary Development Area Boundary - Primary Centre - Local Centre - Mixed Use Centre Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Area Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Area Regional Retail Centre Employment Area Primary Corridor •••• Character Corridor Commercial Corridor Stable Areas Urban Reserve Federal Jurisdiction ' Transport Overlay St John Port Authority Rural Resource Areas Parks & Natural Areas •••• Rural Settlement Areas Rural Industrial Areas INSIDE PRIMARY DEVELOPMENT AREA City Structure INTENSIFICATION AREAS Primary Centre -Local Centre Mixed Use Centre Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Area Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Area EMPLOYMENT AREAS Primary Centre Regional Retail Centre Employment Area Port • • • • • . . Authority STABLE AREAS Stable Areas -Urban Reserve Future Land Use Primary Centre Local Centre Mixed Use Centre Medium to High Density Low Density Residential Primary Centre Regional Retail Centre Light Heavy Business g y Industrial Industrial Centre Federal Transportation -Low to Medium Density Residential -Low to Medium Density Residential Stable Stable Residential M Commercial Urban Reserve -Commercial Corridor -Major Community Park & Natural Facility Area OUTSIDE PRIMARY DEVELOPMENT AREA City Structure Parks & Natural Areas Rural Resource Areas . . Rural Settlement • • Areas Rural Industrial Areas Stable Areas Future Land Use -Parks & Natural Areas Rural Resource Areas Rural Settlement Areas / Rural Industrial Areas -Rural Residential Boundary •• —• PDA Intensification Areas Low Density Residential Low to Medium Density Residential - Medium to High Density Residential - Primary Centre - Primary Centre & Federal Transportation Overlay Local Centre MMixed Use Centre Employment Areas - Regional Retail Centre - Business Centre - Stable Commercial - Heavy Industrial Light Industrial Corridors = Commercial Rural Areas Other Areas Rural Settlement Federal Transportation Rural Resource - Major Community Facility Rural Industrial - Park and Natural Areas Rural Residential Stable Residential Urban Reserve DRAFT Schedule B - Future Land Use Land Use Designations Inside the Primary DevelopmentArea 1..m r,n ,In! John N1�beu, ..� +iii►! o, ►, - t I ; P e r � b r _ Primary Centre Low Density Residential Primary Centre & Federal Transportation Overlay Low to Medium Density Residential Local Centre Medium to High Density Residential Mixed Use Centre DRAFT Schedule B - Future Land Use t 1 � / 6 x'33 !! lti '•` �� -_. - ~`�, Ji � ; . -f WPI Employment Areas Corridors _ Regional Retail Centre Commercial _ Business Centre Transportation Stable Commercial Federal Heavy Industrial Light Industrial Stable Designations 2,10 INJ 1116, S.1. John • Major Community Facility Park and Natural Areas Stable Residential Urban Reserve Land Uw.Destognations outside the Primary DevelopPhent Area a Sill. /II ��` �i '�y Sys p ��r, .�•: r �/�.�p �y a P&WS G� OUR CITY- OUR FUTURE NOTRE VILLE•NOTRE AVENIR • Promote excellence in design of new buildings and public spaces — introduce Urban Design Principles • Reinforce sense of character and place in neighbourhoods • Invest in streetscaping of major gateways, corridors and parks • Ensure neighbourhood- specific urban design guidelines are developed as part of neighbourhood plans • Carry forward urban design policies for the central waterfront J � - / - " �o n • Ensure an adequate supply of land is available for housing • Ensure that a range of housing types are provided • Encourage the provision of affordable housing in all areas of the City • Work with partners to require appropriate maintenance standards • Permit compatible uses in residential neighbourhoods • Encourage environmentally sustainable housing design and construction • Provide incentives to encourage residential development in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas • Improve quality of life • Diversification of economy • Encourage clustering of related industries in parks • Grow the green economy • Maintain Uptown as centre for major office, retail & finance • Strengthen Tucker Park campus • Further develop Somerset Technology Park • Improved clarity & predictability for development • Prepare Economic Service Plan & Industrial Parks Plan Implement the Community Sustainability Plan Reduce air pollution • Protect water resources & water quality Protect floodplains, plan for climate change Connected natural systems & open space Leader in energy efficiency & solid waste management • Develop a multi -modal transportation system • Enhance our Active Transportation network, implement Bikeways Plan • Improve transit service in Intensification Areas • Connected hierarchy of streets • Improve accessibility for all users • Effectively regulate parking to support transit goals • Develop a Transportation Service Plan • Support growth at the Airport and Port as vital components of the national transportation network r • Make efficient use of existing infrastructure • Provide safe clean drinking water supply • Provide a quality wastewater system that meets federal & provincial standards • Ensure stormwater practices that protect areas from flooding and are environmentally sustainable • Support utility and communication services to residents and businesses • Effective police & fire services that support the future needs of the community John o s. �Q, � o Water • Votre eat., Increase connectivity, quality & access to green space Promote "complete communities" Establish a hierarchy of Parks: Regional, Community & Neighbourhood Develop a Parks and Recreation Service Plan to prioritize park assets and community programming to support PlanSJ Support local food production • Implement Arts & Culture Policy • Recognize Uptown as focus for Region's arts & culture, Provide a range of local venues and events • Celebrate our distinct cultures, languages & art • Promote heritage conservation in heritage districts • Strengthen heritage protection in conjunction with Neighbourhood Plans • Promote next generation of heritage • Protect significant cultural landscapes and heritage sites in cooperation with the Province • Holistic Plan to drive City decision making • Investment strategy with 5 year capital budget and service based plans • Policies to encourage innovative development to support the Plan ✓ Improved clarity & predictability ✓ Incentives ✓ Ongoing Fiscal review ✓ Guidance on previously approved development, timeframes for completion ✓ How amendments to the Plan are considered • Plan monitoring program with: metrics, annual report card, 5 -year review for major changes • Framework for Neighbourhood Plans Zoning & Sub- division Bylaws Neighbour Services Investment hood Plans Plans Strategy D • Council, Staff Steering Committee, Citizen Advisory Committee meetings Adjacent Municipalities briefing Developer and Landowners Focus Group June 15 PlanSJ Up for Review Public Open house and Workbooks We've completed the first draft of the Municipal Plan based on your input - now we need you to review it! Please join us at the Up for Review Open House: Wednesday, June 15th 5:30- 9:00pm Presentation at 6:00pm Saint John High School (170 -200 Prince William Street) SAINT JOHN We'll bed iscussing tlied raft policies oft lie Municipal Plan and reviewing tlied raft Land Use Map. We're eager to Dear your comments on tliem! The Open House will be followed by a 4 -week public review period, and we ask that comments be submitted by Friday, July 15, 2011. For more information on the Open House please go to or contact the PlanSJ Team at plans . -saintiohn.� -_,; 635 -2000 or at the PlanSJ Storefront in Brunswick Square. Next Steps =A - 0 Third PlanSJ video and a fourth Report on Engagement in the summer of 2011 Preparation of the Final Municipal Plan in the summer of 2011 Public Presentation of the Final Municipal Plan to Council in the fall of 2011 • Public Hearing on the Final Municipal Plan in the winter of 2011 Prepare additional detailed plans to implement the Municipal Plan Winter /Hiver Spring/Printemps Summer /Ete Fall /Automne & Winter /Hiver 2010 2010 2010 2010/2011 2011 go Public Defining Issues Setting the Confirmed Plan Draft Final Launch & Opportunities Direction for Growth and Municipal Municipal Change Plan Plan Lancement Definition des enjeux Determination Confirmation du Ebauche du plan Version definitive public et des perspectives de ('orientation plan de croissance d'amenagement du plan municipal et de changement Stakeholder Interviews, Opportunities + Community Open House, Focus Group Sessions, Public Hearing Public Project Launch Directions Workshop Youth Engagement Community Open House of Objections Youth Engagement Entrevues avec les Ateliersur les possibilite Journee portes ouvertes Seances de groupe de Audience publique des intervenants, Lancement et les orientations, pour la collectivite, discussion, journee oppositions public du projet partici pati on des i^ ;n. participation desjeunes portes ouvertes rniir collectivite Ongoingpublic engagement activities include the Plan SJ storefront, newsletters, Facebock. Twitter, video■nd Citizen Advisory Comml�e L'engagement publr. le local du ,hitter, le Comite consultatif de citoyens W , DRAFT City of Saint John Municipal Plan For Public Review Please Note: This draft Municipal Plan has been produced for discussion /public consultation purposes. It is a working draft and, as such, will continue to change and evolve based upon internal, external and legal feedback. This Draft of the Municipal Plan is being released for public review prior to submitting the Plan to Saint John Common Council for legal adoption. A public Open House on this Draft Plan will be held Wednesday June 15 at Saint John High School at 5:30pm. Written submissions on the Draft Municipal Plan will be accepted until 4:30pm on Friday July 15, 2011. For more information on the Plan please contact the PIanSJ team at 635 -2000, visit the storefront in Brunswick Square, visit the website at www.saintjohn.ca /PlanSJ or email the PIanSJ team at PlanSJ @saintjohn.ca June 7, 2011 .: Table of Contents Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... ............................... 8 1.1 Purpose of the Municipal Plan ....................................................................... ............................... 8 1.2 Saint John Context, Issues & Opportunities ................................................... ............................... 9 1.2.1 How much Growth to Accommodate .................................................. ............................... 10 1.2.2 Why We Need a Plan ........................................................................... ............................... 11 1.3 PlanSJ: Creating this Municipal Plan ............................................................ ............................... 13 1.4 PlanSJ Directions and Vision for Growth and Change ................................. ............................... 14 1.4.1 Directions ............................................................................................. ............................... 14 1.4.2 Saint John's Vision for Growth and Change ......................................... ............................... 16 1.5 Legislative Basis of the Plan ......................................................................... ............................... 18 1.6 Organization of the Plan .............................................................................. ............................... 18 1.7 How to Read the Municipal Plan .................................................................. ............................... 19 2. CITY STRUCTURE .................................................................................................. ............................... 20 2.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 21 2.2 City Structure Map ....................................................................................... ............................... 21 2.3 The Primary Development Area ................................................................... ............................... 22 2.3.1 Intensification Areas ............................................................................ ............................... 22 2.3.2 Employment Areas ............................................................................... ............................... 23 2.3.3 Stable Communities ............................................................................. ............................... 23 2.3.4 Urban Reserve ...................................................................................... ............................... 23 2.3.5 Corridors .............................................................................................. ............................... 24 2.4 Lands outside the Primary Development Area: The Rural Areas ................. ............................... 26 2.5 Other Areas .................................................................................................. ............................... 26 3. LAND USE ............................................................................................................. ............................... 27 3.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 28 3.2 Future Land Use Map ................................................................................... ............................... 28 3.3 Establishment of the Primary Development Area ........................................ ............................... 29 3.4 Land Use Designations ................................................................................. ............................... 31 3.5 Land Uses within the Primary Development Area ....................................... ............................... 32 3.5.1 Primary Centres .................................................................................... ............................... 32 3.5.2 Employment Areas ............................................................................... ............................... 39 70 3.5.3 Neighbourhood Intensification Areas .................................................. ............................... 46 3.5.4 Stable Community Areas ...................................................................... ............................... 51 3.5.5 Urban Reserve ...................................................................................... ............................... 53 3.6 Land Use Designations outside the Primary Development Area: Rural Areas ............................ 54 3.6.1 General Policies .................................................................................... ............................... 54 3.7 Land Use Designations Common to the Primary Development Area and the Rural .................. 58 Area.......................................................................................................................... ............................... A General Land Use Policies ............................................................................ ............................... 60 3.9 Monitoring and Review Metrics .................................................................. ............................... 62 4. URBAN DESIGN .................................................................................................... ............................... 63 4.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 63 4.2 The Public Realm .......................................................................................... ............................... 64 4.3 Urban Design and Built Form ....................................................................... ............................... 67 4.3.1 General Urban Design Principles .......................................................... ............................... 67 4.3.2 Urban Design Principles for Stable Community Areas ......................... ............................... 68 4.3.3 Urban Design Principles for Neighbourhood Intensification Areas and Primary Centres .. 69 4.3.4 Urban Design Principles for the Uptown Waterfront .......................... ............................... 71 4.3.5 Urban Design Principles for Employment Areas .................................. ............................... 72 4.3.6 Urban Design Principles for Rural Settlement and Rural Residential Areas ....................... 73 4.4 Building Urban Design Awareness ............................................................... ............................... 73 4.5 Monitoring and Review Metrics .................................................................. ............................... 74 5. NEIGHBOURHOODS and HOUSING ...................................................................... ............................... 75 5.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 75 5.2 General Housing Policies .............................................................................. ............................... 76 5.3 Affordable Housing ...................................................................................... ............................... 77 5.4 Supportive Housing ...................................................................................... ............................... 77 5.5 Boarding and Rooming Houses .................................................................... ............................... 78 5.6 Secondary Suites and Garden Suites ........................................................... ............................... 78 5.7 Home Occupations ....................................................................................... ............................... 78 5.8 Daycare Facilities ......................................................................................... ............................... 79 5.9 Home -based Tourism Accommodation ....................................................... ............................... 79 5.10 Manufactured Homes/ Mini Homes ........................................................... ............................... 79 5.11 Vacant Residential Properties ...................................................................... ............................... 80 5.12 Monitoring and Review Metrics .................................................................. ............................... 81 6. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ...................................................................................... ............................... 82 71 6.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 83 6.2 Improving Quality of Life .............................................................................. ............................... 83 6.3 Economic Diversification .............................................................................. ............................... 84 6.4 Sustainable Economic Development ........................................................... ............................... 85 6.5 Workforce Development ............................................................................. ............................... 85 6.6 An Economic Development Strategy for Saint John .................................... ............................... 86 6.7 Monitoring and Review Metrics .................................................................. ............................... 88 7. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT and ENERGY ............................................................... ............................... 89 7.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 89 7.2 Environmental Sustainability ....................................................................... ............................... 90 7.3 Air Quality .................................................................................................... ............................... 90 7.4 Water Quality ............................................................................................... ............................... 91 7.5 Natural Areas and Land ................................................................................ ............................... 92 7.6 Local Food .................................................................................................... ............................... 94 7.7 Energy Efficiency .......................................................................................... ............................... 94 7.8 Climate Change ............................................................................................ ............................... 95 7.9 Monitoring and Review Metrics .................................................................. ............................... 96 8. TRANSPORTATION and MOBILITY ........................................................................ ............................... 97 8.1 Goals ............................................................................................................ ............................... 97 8.2 General Transportation Policies ................................................................... ............................... 98 8.3 Active Transportation .................................................................................. ............................... 99 8.4 Public Transit .............................................................................................. ............................... 100 8.5 Roadway Infrastructure ............................................................................. ............................... 101 8.6 Accessibility ................................................................................................ ............................... 104 8.7 Parking ....................................................................................................... ............................... 104 8.8 Taxi Service ................................................................................................ ............................... 105 8.9 Inter -City Bus Service ................................................................................. ............................... 106 8.10 Goods and Freight Movement ................................................................... ............................... 106 8.11 Rail Transport ............................................................................................. ............................... 107 8.12 Port/ Water Transport .............................................................................. ............................... 107 8.13 Air Transport .............................................................................................. ............................... 108 8.14 Monitoring and Review Metrics ................................................................ ............................... 109 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES and INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................... ............................... 110 9.1 Goals .......................................................................................................... ............................... 110 9.2 General Municipal Services Policies ........................................................... ............................... 110 72 9.3 Water ......................................................................................................... ............................... 111 9.4 Sanitary Sewer ........................................................................................... ............................... 112 9.5 Storm Sewer ............................................................................................... ............................... 113 9.6 Un- Serviced Development ......................................................................... ............................... 113 9.7 Solid Waste Management .......................................................................... ............................... 114 9.8 Utilities ....................................................................................................... ............................... 114 9.9 Protective Services ..................................................................................... ............................... 116 9.10 Monitoring and Review Metrics ................................................................ ............................... 117 10. COMMUNITY FACILITIES ................................................................................ ............................... 118 10.1 Goals .......................................................................................................... ............................... 118 10.2 Parks ........................................................................................................... ............................... 119 10.2.1 Neighbourhood Parks ........................................................................ ............................... 119 10.2.2 Community Parks ............................................................................... ............................... 120 10.2.3 Regional Parks .................................................................................... ............................... 121 10.3 Open Spaces ............................................................................................... ............................... 121 10.4 Community and Recreational Facilities ..................................................... ............................... 122 10.5 Squares, Plazas and Community Gathering Spaces ................................... ............................... 122 10.6 Government and Community Structure .................................................... ............................... 123 10.6.1 Schools ............................................................................................... ............................... 123 10.6.2 Places of Worship ............................................................................... ............................... 123 10.6.3 Human and Social Services ................................................................ ............................... 123 10.7 Monitoring and Review Metrics ................................................................ ............................... 124 11. ARTS, CULTURE and HERITAGE ...................................................................... ............................... 125 11.1 Goals .......................................................................................................... ............................... 126 11.2 General Policies .......................................................................................... ............................... 126 11.3 Accessibility to Arts and Culture ................................................................ ............................... 127 11.4 Arts and Cultural Infrastructure ................................................................. ............................... 127 11.5 Integrating Arts and Culture ...................................................................... ............................... 128 11.6 Uptown Waterfront ................................................................................... ............................... 128 11.7 Multiculturalism ......................................................................................... ............................... 129 11.8 Cultural Landscapes ................................................................................... ............................... 130 11.9 Built Heritage ............................................................................................. ............................... 130 11.10 Monitoring and Review Metrics ............................................................. ............................... 132 12. Implementation - Making the Plan Real ........................................................ ............................... 133 12.1 Goals .......................................................................................................... ............................... 133 73 12.2 Governance Framework for Decision Making ........................................... ............................... 133 12.3 Development Approvals ............................................................................ ............................... 134 12.3.1 Existing Incompatible Uses ................................................................ ............................... 135 12.3.2 Previously Approved Applications ..................................................... ............................... 135 12.3.3 Timeframes and Phasing of Development ......................................... ............................... 136 12.3.4 Fiscal Implications of Development ................................................... ............................... 137 12.4 Investment Strategy: Service Plans and 5 year Capital Budget ................. ............................... 137 12.5 Cooperation with other External Agencies and other Levels of Government .......................... 139 12.6 From City -wide to Neighbourhood based Planning ................................... ............................... 139 12.7 Plan Monitoring Program ........................................................................... ............................... 141 12.8 Public Participation .................................................................................... ............................... 142 12.9 Monitoring & Metrics for Implementation: .............................................................................. 143 GLOSSARY................................................................................................................... ............................... 144 MAPS & SCHEDULES .................................................................................................. ............................... 151 PART II - NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS ........................................................................... ............................... 153 74 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of the Municipal Plan In late 2009, Council initiated the PlanSJ process to create a comprehensive new Municipal Plan to guide land use and development in the City over the 25 year time horizon for this Plan. The previous Municipal plan was nearly 40 years old and based on assumptions that the City would grow to a population of 265,000 people, which failed to materialize. Common Council recognized it was time for a new path forward for Saint John. This Municipal Plan presents a bold new direction for development and investment in Saint John, based on the aspirations of Saint Johners to grow the City in a more compact and sustainable manner. It is rooted in Saint John's assets, placing a much stronger emphasis on quality of life and a more urban Saint John in the future. Developed with the community over a two -year period using an extensive public engagement program, this is a holistic Municipal Plan integrating the principles of progressive urban planning with the needs and desires of Saint Johners. This Plan is not just about land use; it is about investing in our neighbourhoods to strengthen and reinvigorate our City; supporting neighbourhood -level planning; creating a balanced transportation network that supports increased use of transit and active transportation; and most importantly this Plan is about the people who live here and those who will come here in the future for the economic opportunities and the enviable quality of life. The City's Municipal Plan sets out the community's long term vision and Council's Policies to guide future land use and development within the City. Policies contained in the Municipal Plan are used to guide: ■ Capital expenditure and investment decisions by the City; ■ Decisions about where and how development occurs; ■ The Zoning and Subdivision By -laws as well as service based plans, or studies, as required to implement the Municipal Plan; and ■ The program for monitoring the Plan and for detailed neighbourhood planning. 75 1.2 Saint John Context, Issues & Opportunities The City of Saint John, located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in south - central New Brunswick, is the largest municipality in the Province. It is home to approximately 68,000 residents as of the 2006 Census, representing about half of the Greater Saint John Region's population. With three quarters of the jobs located here, Saint John is also the economic heart of the Greater Saint John Region, providing employment, shopping, entertainment and educational opportunities for residents within and outside the City in neighbouring municipalities and rural areas in southwestern New Brunswick, including Rothesay, Quispamsis, Grand -Bay Westfield, and St Martin's. As Canada's first incorporated city (established in 1785), Saint John has been welcoming people from all over the world for 400 years. Long before their arrival, the area was well known to the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet aboriginal inhabitants. Each group of immigrants helped to shape Saint John through its culture, architecture and people. Saint John boasts a remarkable coastal setting on the shores of the Bay of Fundy— home of the world's highest tides. Its unique landscape is defined in large part by the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers which meet in Saint John's Inner Harbour. The geographic location offers opportunities for residents and visitors to explore world class parks and natural spaces and discover the region's diverse topography shaped by extensive coastlines, rivers, lakes and wetlands. With nearly 800 designated heritage properties, many within historic districts, Saint John also offers residents and visitors a glimpse of the past along bustling Uptown streets and through quaint residential neighbourhoods. Built on an industrial and shipping base dating from the late 1700's, Saint John continues to be the major manufacturing centre of the region and has also become the regional centre for telecommunications, services, transportation, culture, health, and education. Saint John's economy continues to diversify and today the City is also one of New Brunswick's major destinations for tourism and conventions and hosts a growing number of cruise ships, docking in the heart of the Uptown. Saint John has developed from a series of neighbourhoods, clustered tightly around the Inner Harbour, to a sprawling City with one of the lowest population densities in Canada. This historic growth pattern has created many challenges for the City. However understanding the challenges the current city structure presents also provides an opportunity for the City to change the way in which it will grow in the coming years. Prior to the end of World War II, Saint John's pattern of development was very compact and consisted of the city centre — Uptown — surrounded by tightly knit core neighborhoods. The City's pre -war development pattern reflected the fundamental principles of a complete community — it was compact and walkable and most people lived close to work, shopping, schools and other services important for day to day life. In 1951, just after World War II, Saint John's population had grown to 73,000 people. At this time, the City's urban development footprint occupied just 36 square kilometres of land. Post -War infrastructure improvements, including the construction of the Saint John Throughway, road widenings, new arterial roads, and other municipal infrastructure projects provided access to undeveloped lands beyond the compact pre -War city. Saint John began to grow outward in a pattern that fundamentally changed the City's urban structure. Increasing automobile ownership allowed people to move farther out and as a result, growth following the War exhibited much lower densities than the pre -War City and often occurred in areas lacking municipal water and sewage services. Amalgamation with neighboring municipalities in 1967 increased the municipal land base to 316 square kilometres, almost 10 times that of the pre -War municipality. 76 Low density development extended across the expanded land base through new commercial, industrial and residential subdivision development. New suburban areas tended to have few street connections or amenities within walking distance. Low density housing in rural areas was also 'scattered' along rural roads and along waterfront views. This type of development - "ribbon development" or "rural sprawl" - is generally disconnected from the developed City and located beyond areas that can be provided with municipal water and sewer services. In contrast to the pre -War City, new development in Saint John contained very little mixed use. Large tracts of new, single - purpose uses were developed in isolation from one another. Residential uses were generally separated from places of employment, including major retail and commercial centres located in the east and west of Saint John, major employment centres such as the University of New Brunswick and the Regional Hospital, and industrial parks. This pattern of development has promoted an increased reliance on automobile use as a means to connect places to live with places to work and shop. Arterial roads and highways play an important role in connecting Saint John's dispersed urban structure. By the mid 1970's Saint John's population began to decline while the surrounding communities of Quispamsis, Grand Bay Westfield, and Rothesay began to grow. Saint John's urban core witnessed a significant decline in residential population over time, resulting in disinvestment and vacancies in the Uptown and established neighbourhoods. This pattern of dispersed outward growth and disinvestment in the urban core neighbourhoods continues however reinvestment has begun. As of the writing of this Plan, Saint John's population has declined from its peak of 89,000 in the mid- 1970's to approximately 68,000 people. Due to the dispersed pattern of post -War development, Saint John consumes a great deal more land per person than comparable cities and as a result, spends significant resources to provide services to an ever increasing development footprint. Approximately 42% of the population lives in the urban core developed prior to the War on just 5% of the land base; 40% of the population lives in post -war suburban neighbourhoods on 19% of the land base; and 18% of the population lives in rural settlement areas, the most land consumptive form of housing, and occupies 76% of the land base. 1.2.1 How much Growth to Accommodate Looking forward, the Municipal Plan designates the amount of land that will be required to accommodate changing employment and population levels over the 25 year planning horizon for the Plan. The Municipal Plan is based on the growth forecasts completed to the year 2031. The total population in Saint John is forecast to first reach a low of about 66,000 people in 2017, but then rise to about 77,500 by 2031. This represents growth of 10,000 people. Population growth is based on anticipated employment growth in local export -based industries (those that produce goods and services for export outside the City) and continued growth in sectors such as IT and health care, with the number of jobs rising from a total of 48,400 in 2010 to 61,800 jobs in 2031 (13,400 new jobs). People of working age (25 to 64 years old) are expected to move into the City to fill new jobs, and to fill vacancies left by people who retire. Many of those who retire in the near future are likely to stay in the City, although perhaps move to a smaller home. The number of new residential units (houses, townhouse, and apartments) is projected to grow by about 5,000 to the year 2031. This Plan is also based on anticipated land development needs for other sectors including commercial and industrial land uses. Real growth levels will be monitored and the Municipal Plan will be updated at regular intervals to effectively plan for changing trends in population, employment and households. 77 1.2.2 Why We Need a Plan A comprehensive and bold Plan is needed to reverse past patterns of inefficient development, and capitalize on Saint John's amazing natural and heritage assets. The Plan is crucial to address the issues and opportunities currently facing Saint John: 1. With a geographic area of approximately 316 square kilometres and a population of only 68,000 people, Saint John has a very low population density which affects the ability of the City to efficiently deliver services and enhance the quality of life for residents. To ensure the anticipated population growth benefits the City and improves the quality of life for residents, future development will be concentrated in key areas of the City. This will increase population densities in these strategic locations and reduce the cost of service delivery, supporting improved transit service, active transportation connections and greater investment in the public realm that support an enhanced quality of life. 2. Existing municipal water and sewage services within the City have the capacity to absorb the anticipated additional development without expansions. There is an adequate amount of serviced land within the City to accommodate approximately 3 times the anticipated residents expected to make Saint John home over the planning period. The City currently maintains and provides services including garbage collection, snow plowing and emergency response over nearly 600 kilometres of municipal roads. Maximizing the density of development on existing roads, water and sewer lines will decrease the cost of maintaining and upgrading these systems and allow for more of the City's budget to be targeted to providing services with a greater positive impact on the quality of life for community members. 3. The City of Saint John offers a wide range of housing and lifestyle choices in unique neighbourhoods; however, years of out - migration to suburban, rural and outlying areas have resulted in disinvestment in the core neighbourhoods. Between 2001 and 2006, 88% of the population loss that occurred was from the City's core, while 25% of residential growth was dispersed throughout the rural areas in the form of rural sprawl. Everything new built on the edge of the community coupled with a declining population has meant that too many buildings have been left empty in the urban core. 4. Many residential neighbourhoods are isolated from services and shopping, contributing to the challenge of maintaining and creating a series of connected, complete communities and unique places with distinct neighbourhood character. Targeted growth in Urban and Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, and minor infill in Rural Settlement Areas, will support the revitalization of urban core areas and suburban nodes. Combined with a focus on increasing the quality of building design of future development, this will support additional investment toward building a more complete community in these central nodes, increasing the quality of life for all in Saint John. 5. At the heart of the Greater Saint John Region, the City of Saint John is and will continue to be the hub for employment, arts, culture and heritage conservation. Supporting and expanding our rich architectural heritage and vibrant arts and cultural community will enrich the quality of life for Saint John residents and enhance our attractiveness as a tourist destination. 6. Changing demographics including an aging population present Saint John with opportunities to attract and retain residents from within Canada and abroad. Diversifying the economy and supporting the creation of employment opportunities in industrial and emerging sectors will help to attract and retain young professionals and workers from across this country and abroad. Cultivating and supporting investment in education will provide opportunities for existing residents and attract new ones, all supporting the City as a more attractive destination for employers and employees. 7. The City of Saint John has a strong employment base in industrial and service sectors, and has opportunities to diversify the economy in health, research and IT sectors (among others). Supporting continued investment in the knowledge and innovation clusters at the University /Hospital and Uptown will strengthen these anchors and create more opportunity. The creation of jobs in emerging sectors will attract residents to the City and careful consideration of the location for new industrial employment uses will decrease the potential for future land use conflicts and support growth and investment in a diverse range of employment sectors. 8. Walking and cycling are difficult, and it is inefficient and expensive to provide convenient and frequent public transit service throughout a large and dispersed geographic region. People with disabilities or without a car have trouble gaining access to jobs, services and amenities. A dense, compact urban form will enable more efficient and frequent transit service and promote opportunities for active transportation. 9. A wide array of natural areas, parks, surface water bodies and an expansive waterfront offer many opportunities for Saint John to be a leader in environmental sustainability. Limiting development in natural and rural areas and increasing the density of the City will decrease our carbon footprint. Enhancing urban parks, watersheds and waterfront areas will improve quality of life and our positive impact on the natural systems we rely on. If the current development pattern were to continue unchecked, by 2031 Saint John's development footprint would continue to consume significant amounts of land, further challenging the municipal tax base and the provision of municipal services. The current pattern of growth is not sustainable and cannot continue. In addition, the population is not forecast to grow at a rate that could support high levels of outward expansion and the costs associated with additional infrastructure including, roadways, water, sewers and other municipal services. 79 1.3 PlanSJ: Creating this Municipal Plan PIanSJ was the two -year community -based project to develop this Municipal Plan. It was the largest and most comprehensive community engagement exercise ever undertaken by the City. A multitude of technical studies and community based exercises were completed in order to capture the community's vision for the future and understand the existing challenges facing the City of Saint John. The depth of involvement by staff and the community was extensive and the process involved: ■ A 13- member Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) comprised of 2 City Councilors, 1 representative from the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) and 10 citizens of Saint John. Staff from the City Planning Department supported the Committee and the CAC advised City staff and Council on community issues. CAC members also acted as ambassadors within their neighbourhoods and across thR �t�erin °g Eom kiwtteom com pnivohd osenior safF��romnAPos °s ahsCity Departments who advised the project team on technical issues and day -to -day City operations to ensure Municipal Plan directions were aligned with other City initiatives. ■ Interviews with over 70 stakeholder groups engaged in arts, culture and heritage; housing and development; business and the economy; environmental issues; social community issues including poverty and affordable housing; transportation and mobility; education; health, wellness and recreation; youth and seniors. ■ Targeted youth engagement exercises with students from all the City's high schools, the Teen Resource Centre and Teen Vibe. ■ Ongoing public engagement throughout the 2 -year planning process via the PIanSJ Storefront in Brunswick Square, the project website and social media tools including Facebook and Twitter, and numerous presentations to community groups and organizations. ■ Three PIanSJ videos, available on the project website and YouTube, documenting the planning process and community members' hopes and expectations for the future. ■ Six public Open Houses and Workshops were hosted: • "Welcome to PIanSJ" Open House on January 27, 2010 • "Opportunities and Directions" Workshop on June 12, 2010 • "Choices for Growth and Change" Open House on October 14, 2010 • "New Direction" Open House on December 8, 2010 • "Putting the Plan on Paper" Workshop on April 14, 2011 • "Up for Review" Open House on June 15, 2011 :1 1.4 PlanSJ Directions and Vision for Growth and Change The City's Municipal Plan builds directly on other City initiatives. The directions and vision for the Municipal Plan were drawn from multiple sources including the OurSaintlohn community engagement process, corporate improvements and realignments as expressed in Vision 2015, and the City's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). The Plan is also based on a comprehensive understanding of existing conditions in Saint John derived from the Technical Background Report and Directions for Growth and Change from the Growth Strategy, completed during the first phase of PlanSJ in 2010. 1.4.1 Directions Throughout the duration of the PlanSJ community consultation process, the resounding message received from the community was a desire for change toward a much more sustainable growth pattern and ultimately an improved quality of life for all Saint Johners. The following nine Directions for Growth and Change reflect the community's aspirations for the future of Saint John as voiced during the PlanSJ community engagements. These nine Directions also reflect best practices in building sustainable and complete communities and provide the foundation for the Plan's city structure and land use framework. 1. Saint John proactively makes choices to shape the best future for the City. Saint John: ■ has the courage to say "yes" to what is in the best long term interests of the City and its citizens and the courage to say "no" to what is not ■ embraces challenges and passionately defends the right choices for the City even when they are difficult choices to make • leads by example • adopts leading edge planning principles 2. Saint John is the heart of the Greater Saint John Region and is a thriving urban centre. Saint John is: • energetic, creative, entrepreneurial, and authentic • the focus for growth and change in the Region as well as the centre for office, mixed use, shopping, living, entertainment, innovation, arts, culture, heritage, education, urban waterfronts and tourism ■ a City that brings back people that have moved away and is a magnet for newcomers 3. Saint John is comprised of healthy, unique and inclusive neighbourhoods. Saint John: ■ strengthens the concept of 'one' Saint John by working to make distinct neighbourhoods feel part of one City and one future ■ supports mixed income living, offering a range of diverse housing choices to meet different life cycle needs • enables people of any income level to live in a neighbourhood of their choosing • builds on the strong tradition of neighbours taking care of each other - neighbourhoods are the foundation of the strong community pride that defines Saint John ■ provides a range of services, employment, leisure and recreational choices within neighbourhoods to provide people with the opportunity to live, work, and play in their neighbourhood 4. Saint John actively pursues a progressive, robust and prosperous economy. Saint John: ■ reflects an economy that has been rooted in the past but now looks forward progressively to the future • strives towards long term economic stability and social security • embraces knowledge, innovation, traditional industry, green industry and emerging employment sectors ■ makes positive choices about the economy and about industry that are good for the people who live in Saint John and contribute to high quality of life for residents S. Saint John celebrates its many waterfronts and positions them as prominent and defining elements of the City. Saint John: ■ embraces water as a central feature of the City's economy, natural environment and a key to the lifestyle and collective community experience of living in Saint John — magnificent tides, beaches, the Port, fishing, boating, marine ecology, natural beauty, views, recreational opportunities, and a priority on water quality ■ celebrates the historic significance of the waterfronts - as key trade and transportation routes and the primary reason for the City's location ■ strengthens its waterfronts - the rivers, Bay of Fundy, and lakes — ecologically through preservation, publicly by creating and maintaining access for all, and economically by promoting waterfront development in appropriate locations 6. Saint John values and protects its natural environment and ecosystems on land and in water. Saint John: ■ builds the City in balance with nature by encouraging a more compact, sustainable growth pattern ■ actively stewards ecological systems through preservation, restoration and enhancement to increase biodiversity and to restore sensitive or diminished ecosystems ■ establishes linked natural areas that preserve ecological systems, connect between and across land and water, and connect people with nature ■ reduces the City's ecological footprint and strives toward greater long term environmental sustainability for future generations ■ promotes best practices in storm water management, maintains fresh and coastal water quality, and promotes water conservation ■ conserves energy and reduces energy use through sustainable building design, alternative energy systems and reduced auto dependence develops effective policy on climate change and integrates mitigation and adaption actions that can be influenced through land use policy 7. Saint John grows the City smarter by developing complete and compact communities. Saint John: • supports the concept that smart cities grow up not out • revitalizes existing communities through compact development and infill within the existing developed areas ■ develops a built form that supports efficient, convenient and viable alternative choices for transportation including walking, cycling, and transit that support healthy lifestyles ■ supports the long term health of the city centre by making choices that strengthen the core and saying "no" to choices that weaken the core ■ supports compact development by managing development and infrastructure according to lha rhsioea bEWaJarndiecdhamic goals for sustainability, vibrancy and long term prosperity 8. Saint John offers an enviable quality of life, choice and experience for all of its citizens. Saint John: • builds on unique places, people and experiences • offers a diversity of arts, culture, and recreational activities and amenities • encourages and fosters a welcoming community of longtime residents, newcomers, and people of different cultures ■ provides a high quality environment — buildings, parks and open spaces — and protects dramatic geography, beautiful views and vistas ■ plants trees and quality landscaping to maintain and enhance natural vegetation throughout the City 9. Saint John is committed to a strong plan for action and making change. Saint John: • has the courage to stick to the Plan during prosperous times and difficult times • builds partnerships with higher levels of government and neighbouring municipalities to realize the plan ■ nurtures and encourages inclusive and accountable leadership at the community and municipal level • embodies a culture of integrated planning • sets priorities for capital investment • commits to, sticks to, monitors and implements the Municipal Plan • builds upon the new Municipal Plan by updating the Zoning By -law and Subdivision By -law and by preparing more detailed Neighbourhood Plans. 1.4.2 Saint John's Vision for Growth and Change Looking forward to 2035, the Vision conceptually illustrated on Map A reflects the aspirations of Saint Johners to achieve a more urban focused City by prioritizing the transformation of their historic neighbourhoods through new investment, population and growth. Reinvigorating and enriching these urban places as more complete and healthy communities will renew and stabilize the urban core and improve the physical quality of the City and the experience and opportunities it provides. At the same time, the Vision anticipates targeted suburban and rural development recognizing the needs of a diverse and changing population. This pattern of growth supports the development of more compact, mixed use community at densities which allow people to live, work, study and play in more walkable, transit oriented neighbourhoods. This Vision builds on Saint John's record as a leader in sustainability, and protects cherished green spaces and natural assets. To this end, the Vision recognizes that social, economic, and environmental needs are interrelated and pursues an integrated 'whole systems' approach to ensure that priorities and actions are well balanced. The Vision illustrates the intensity of future developed areas of the urban structure that Saint John will seek to achieve by 2035 and beyond including: • Areas identified as stable neighbourhoods not intended to undergo significant change. • The potential for denser, more mixed use development along major streets, and the potential for new or intensified urban centres. • Existing and future industrial and employment uses. • A connected system of enhanced parks, open spaces and natural areas, encouraging active and healthy lifestyles by promoting and sensitively integrating human use in parks and open spaces. The Vision acknowledges that the health of Saint John's natural environment is dependent on preserving and strengthening the health of diverse natural features and habitats. Protecting the natural environment includes identifying, preserving and enhancing important natural systems and ecosystem functions and protecting them from development, recognizing that land in its natural and undeveloped state makes significant environmental contributions. Diverse economies are strong economies, often defined by a broad range of places of work and types of work, including a mix of traditional and green industries, sectors, and skill levels. Saint John's Vision for a strong economy and diverse places to work is based on creating more compact, well - located and better designed employment and retail clusters. The Vision identifies two major employment centres: one that strengthens the Uptown and supports its growth as the key office - retail- arts - entertainment - employment centre for Saint John and the wider region; and one that identifies UNBSJ and the Regional Hospital as an area for mixed use residential and increased employment uses. Retail growth is envisioned in McAllister Centre to the east, Fairville Boulevard to the west, the Uptown to the south, and north along Somerset Street between Crescent Valley and Millidgeville; Somerset is also envisioned as a place for office park and commercial development. New industrial growth is supported in expanded Spruce Lake and McAllister Industrial Parks. The Vision reinforces the value Saint John places on its distinctive neighbourhoods, and guides them to become even stronger through excellence in urban design to create high quality of place and life. Some neighbourhoods will remain stable over the planning period. Others, located in intensification areas described in the City Structure Chapter of this Plan, will be encouraged to evolve in positive ways by strengthening the range of quality housing choices they provide and by introducing appropriate mixes of land uses — places to live, work, shop, study and play — with easy connections between those places (especially for walking, transit, and cycling, and for municipal services like water and sewer). Housing choice and affordability are provided across the City and within individual neighbourhoods, making living in Saint John's most desirable neighbourhoods accessible to everyone. Ensuring Saint Johners have good alternatives for how they move to, from and within their communities is a critical component of the Vision for Saint John. The goal is to promote compact development that supports transit, walking, cycling and other active forms of transportation that help to minimize carbon output and do not rely on the automobile. Solutions for getting around need to be inclusive and accessible to people of all ages, income levels, cultures, and to those with disabilities. The Vision seeks to improve connections between neighbourhoods and destinations within Saint John by defining connections through and between important public spaces and provides new connections and access to public waterfront areas, parks and open spaces, trails, beaches, boardwalks and cycling routes, and by strengthening key views to the water in all directions. ., 1.5 Legislative Basis of the Plan The City of Saint John Municipal Plan has been prepared in accordance with the New Brunswick Community Planning Act. This Act empowers Municipal Councils to create Municipal Plans to guide and control land use decisions within their jurisdiction. Although the Municipal Plan does not commit the City or the Province to undertake any of the Plan Policies, it does preclude the undertaking of any development that is inconsistent or at variance with any Policy contained within it. The Municipal Plan is implemented by City Council through the approval of the Zoning and Subdivision By -laws and the implementation of the policy found within the Plan. It may also include the development of more detailed Plans for specific areas of the City. The Municipal Plan is a living document and will be reviewed and amended, where deemed appropriate by Council, to ensure that it remains current and is responsive to changes in the economy, population and demand for development. 1.6 Organization of the Plan The Municipal Plan is divided into Two Parts. Part I contains the 12 chapters that make up the body of the Municipal Plan, the Glossary, and the Maps and Schedules. Part II includes the framework for Future Neighbourhood Plans. Part 1 Plan Chapter One introduces the purpose, context and vision for the Plan, how it is organized and how to read the Plan. Chapter Two articulates the City Structure which supports the community's desire to manage future growth by pursuing a compact and sustainable development pattern which promotes a more transit - oriented complete community, allowing residents to live in close proximity to a full range of their daily needs and amenities and to have convenient access to key destinations and places of work. The City structure provides the basis for the land use framework for the City. Chapter Three contains the City's Land Use Framework and approach to regulating future land use to guide growth and changes over the course of the 25 year timeframe for the Plan. This is the primary part of the document that is statutory in nature. For information on regulatory permissions for development it is intended to be read in conjunction with the City Structure Chapter as well as the Urban Design policies in Chapter Four of the Plan. Chapters Four through to Eleven describes the overall city -wide policies guiding the plan which address: 0 Urban Design; 0 Housing; 0 Economic Prosperity, 0 Natural Environment and Energy; 0 Transportation; 0 Municipal Services and Infrastructure; 0 Community Facilities; M Arts, Culture and Heritage. Chapter 12 addresses the Implementation of the Plan including policies related to regulatory tools such as the Zoning By -Law and Subdivision Bylaw, the plan monitoring program and the framework for Neighbourhood Planning, and the overall the investment strategy (5 year capital budget) which supports the Plan. Glossary contains the definitions of terms or words found in the Plan. Maps are used for explanatory purposes however are non - statutory elements of this Plan. Schedules are used for explanatory purposes and are statutory elements of this Plan. Part 11 Plan Part two of the Plan contains the Neighbourhood Plans with more detailed policies that apply to specific areas of the City. 1.7 How to Read the Municipal Plan This Municipal Plan establishes policies to implement the vision and directions for future growth and development in the City. The policies are intended to set overall direction, allowing for flexibility for the private sector and government to respond with innovative development approaches to achieve the outcomes of the Plan. The city structure, land use and urban design policies are the main statutory policies and intended to be read in their entirety with relevant policies applied to each situation. While the Plan is organized in various chapters, the Plan is an integrated document that is meant to be repad as a whole. Policies recognize the link between land use, infrastructure, transportation and urban Wit�7in' Part I of the Plan, numbered policies with corresponding glossary definitions and schedules are considered to be operative statutory parts of the Plan. Throughout this document, any non - policy text commentary or illustrations provided are intended to guide the user's understanding of a given policy and not to be interpreted as policies of this Plan. Except for references to legislation, italicized terms in this Plan are defined in the Glossary section of the Plan. The Maps are included at the back of the Plan. Three of the maps are statutory and included as Schedules to the Plan: City Structure, Future Land Use, and Transportation. The other maps are included for information purposes. 0 2. CITY STRUCTURE This Municipal Plan directs new growth and investment where it will provide the greatest advantage to the community at large. By limiting the urbanized footprint of the City, reinvesting in historic neighbourhoods and promoting compact transit - oriented development patterns along key corridors, the City will change its urban structure and ultimately, achieve its Vision for Saint John. City structure refers to the way in which land uses, transportations systems, infrastructure, open spaces and natural features are distributed and arranged across the land base to create a city. The physical organization of a city's land uses is fundamental to all elements that create a great city, including: • The quality of life it can offer its citizens; • The health and function of the economy; • The overall community and social cohesion; • The health of the natural environment; • Ease of mobility; and • The ability to deliver high quality yet affordable municipal services. The Municipal Plan proposes a new City Structure for Saint John that is built on the following elements which organize and rationalize land use in the City of Saint John and establish an appropriate hierarchy of development: 0 The Primary Development Area (PDA) is where most future development will take place. The Employment Areas and Urban and Suburban Intensification Areas describe areas within the PDA that have the capacity for significant change and are in locations that will benefit from investment through new development. The Areas of Stability or Minor Change are healthy, stable neighbourhoods that will not experience major change. o The Natural and Rural Areas will be protected, with the exception of some resource development. This new City Structure will allow the City to make better use of existing infrastructure and capacity, particularly related to water, sewer and transit services. The organizing principles are also consistent with the significant investments the City is making in the urban core through its commitment to redevelop the waterfront, and complete the Harbour Clean -Up project. Such strategic investments have the potential to trigger much larger investments by the private sector in these areas, which need it most. More detailed information on the City's current structure and the forces and decisions which influenced it are available in The Urban Structure of Saint John: Sustainable Direction to Guide Change, part of the Technical Background Report. 2.1 Goals The City Structure goals are: 1. Limiting urban and rural sprawl. 2. Revitalizing existing communities through compact development and infill, and promoting'infill' development on vacant and underused properties. 3. Directing new housing and employment uses to identified Intensification Areas to achieve a higher density of people and jobs, enabling the City to improve efficiency in providing infrastructure and services. 4. Locating an integrated mix of land uses in Intensification Areas within walking distance of each other, including places to live, work, shop, learn and play. 5. Connecting Intensification Areas and existing Stable Communities with Primary and Character Corridors. 6. Developing a compact built form that supports efficient, convenient and viable alternative choices for transportation transit, walking and cycling that support healthy lifestyles. 7. Providing housing choice and affordability across the City and within individual neighbourhoods. 8. Achieving excellence in built form and design. 2.2 City Structure Map The City Structure Map lays the groundwork for the land use policies contained in the Municipal Plan and aims to improve the structure of Saint John by using land more efficiently to gain the most benefit for the community from development. The physical organization of the City is fundamental to the quality of life it offers its citizens, the functioning of its economy, the fostering of social cohesion, and the health of the natural environment. The City Structure Map for Saint John sets out the relative roles and hierarchy of key places in the City, with information on the relative mix of land uses, the organization and design of streets and blocks, and the density of built form in different areas. It illustrates areas of growth and change and areas which should remain stable but not static, recognizing that some minor change is appropriate to allow these areas to evolve over time, in keeping with established neighbourhood character. The City Structure Map although statutory, is not intended to reflect designations to regulate development. It categorizes land in the City based on the degree of change and intensity of development to be received over the planning period and directs where investments are to be made. It forms the basis for the Future Land Use Map which is intended to act as the primary tool for regulating future development. Where there is a conflict between the City Structure Map and the Future Land Use Map, the latter prevails. Council shall: Policy CS -1 Adopt the City Structure Map for the City of Saint John, attached to this document as Schedule A, to reflect the intended hierarchy of development in the City and ensure that it supports the long term best interests of the City. Policy CS -2 Provide for the City Structure Map to support and be consistent with the Future Land Use Map which guides growth and development in the City. Changes to the City Structure Map may only be considered in conjunction with appropriate changes to the Future Land Use Map. In the event of a conflict between these Maps, the Future Land Use Map prevails. MM 2.3 The Primary Development Area The Primary Development Area generally corresponds to the portion of Saint John with existing water and sewer services. Most new employment growth and approximately 95% of new residential growth will be directed inside the Primary Development Area to reinforce investments already made in infrastructure and protect rural and natural areas. Inside the Primary Development Area, the City Structure is organized as follows: 2.3.1 Intensification Areas Primary Centres are intended to attract and serve people from all over the City and the wider Region. They contain the highest densities and most complex and concentrated mix of land uses in the City. They contain medium /high density housing, office, tourism, culture, retail, and civic uses. There are two Primary Centres: Uptown Centre will remain the largest mixed -use centre in the City and Region. Uses will include the widest range of medium and high density residential, retail, quality business offices, arts, tourism, hospitality, entertainment, institutional, civic, open spaces and park spaces, entertainment, cultural uses, financial and personal services. UNBSJ /Hospital Centre will continue to evolve into a strengthened health and education mixed -use residential and employment area for the City and the Region. UNBSJ /Hospital Centre contains the second largest number of jobs in the City and the wider Region. The area will grow to include medium and high density residential uses, as well as a range of medical, educational, research and development and related uses. UNBSJ /Hospital Centre is intended to complement and not compete with the Uptown Centre. Significant new civic, arts, tourism and hospitality, entertainment, cultural uses and retail is directed to the Uptown Centre and discouraged from locating in the UNBSJ /Hospital Centre. A Local Centre on Somerset Street between Churchill Boulevard and Technology Drive will provide a range of the most frequently needed commercial goods and services to serve the needs of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Mixed Use Centres are places located adjacent to urban intensifications areas which are appropriate for re- urbanization and where the Plan will direct mixed commercial and medium to higher density residential development. These include Landsdowne Mall in the old North end, Prince Edward Square in Waterloo Village and Main Street West. Urban Intensification Areas include historic areas of the City that were generally established prior to the Second World War, including the South End, Lower West Side, Waterloo Village, Crescent Valley, and the North End. Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas are primarily residential neighbourhoods with low /medium density housing and convenience retail, services and corner stores. Suburban Intensification Areas include areas of the City generally established after the Second World War, including Central Millidgeville, University Avenue, Monte Cristo /Gault Road, and Forest Hills /Lakewood. Suburban Intensification Areas are primarily residential neighbourhoods with low density housing and convenience retail, services and corner stores. They contain lower densities than Urban Intensification Areas but higher densities and more aspects of complete community than traditional suburban neighbourhoods. :• 2.3.2 Employment Areas Employment Areas are a foundation piece of this Municipal Plan. The City's growth and development will largely be dictated by the community's ability to create employment and economic activity. Any successful urban area requires an ample supply of well located, high quality employment lands to accommodate the needs of business and industry. The City Structure defines what types of employment should be clustered and where, described as the following: Primary Centres are intended to attract and serve people from all over the City and the wider Region. They contain the highest densities and most complex and concentrated mix of land uses in the City including employment. There are two Primary Centres — the Uptown in the south and the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital in the north. These areas are intended to develop at the highest densities in the City with complementary uses. Regional Retail Centres of McAllister Centre and Fairville Centre provide large format retail and service uses at a scale and range to serve a city -wide and regional population and are intended to complement, rather than compete with, uses in the Uptown Primary Centre. Regional Retail Centres are not intended for residential use. Uses in the Regional Retail Centres are not intended to undermine the function of Local Centres or Primary Centres. Industrial Areas also made up of existing Industrial Parks and other areas of the City with existing industrial uses, as well as two areas of primarily undeveloped lands identified for new industrial and employment uses in Spruce Lake Industrial Park and McAllister Industrial Park. Industrial Areas will not support residential uses. 2.3.3 Stable Communities Stable Communities inside the Primary Development Area include existing healthy and low density residential areas not identified as Intensification Areas or Employment Areas. Stable Communities are not expected to experience major development, although they will evolve incrementally and organically, in keeping with the existing neighbourhood character in order to accommodate appropriate infill development to support complete communities. 2.3.4 Urban Reserve Urban Reserve lands are inside the Primary Development Area and are being reserved for future development. These lands are to be carefully managed to preserve their potential for future urban expansion to ensure there is a continuous supply of land that can be serviced with municipal water and sanitary sewer services, beyond the 25 year time horizon of this Plan. W 2.3.5 Corridors Corridors are best described as the links between Intensification Areas and community destinations, including the waterfronts. They are identified to define their different roles in shaping neighbourhood and community character. To best describe and characterize the different types of corridors and their functions, three kinds were created: Primary Corridors are locations for improved transit, active transportation, and in some cases, intensified land use. These Primary Corridors provide a link between Centres and Neighbourhood Intensifications Areas. They also serve the neighbourhoods they pass through with a broad range of uses at a scale and density suitable to support high levels of transit use and service. They are places where streetscaping improvements should be focused, and where urban design will be a priority. Primary Corridors include the following: ■ Millidge Avenue (from Somerset Street to Hill Heights Road) provides a number of neighbourhood related commercial and community uses, and connects to a range of places via the intersection with University Avenue and also via Somerset Street. ■ Somerset Street/ Millidge Avenue passes through a section of rocky and hilly natural terrain, which shapes the southern edge of Millidgeville and the northern edge of Crescent Valley. A historic quarry is also located along this section of Somerset Street, along with a mix of commercial and one storey business uses. In some places, the base of the steep slope sits close to the edge of the street, creating a natural 'street wall'. ■ The University Avenue/ Woodward Avenue /Sandy Point Road corridor reflects a number of unique characters: University Avenue is a wide boulevard with a mix of open natural spaces, town homes and low rise apartments; Woodward Avenue passes through a similar setting followed by a mix of low rise employment buildings; while Sandy Point Road is a rural road, following the natural edge of Rockwood Park, punctuated by small groups of detached homes. ■ Churchill Boulevard connects Lansdowne Centre with the Crescent Valley Intensification Area. The boulevard passes through a post war development of medium density housing. The road terminates at its southern end at the existing Lansdowne shopping plaza. ■ Main Street North (east of Douglas Avenue) connects the Uptown with the Lansdowne Centre and also connects to Saint John West via Douglas Avenue. It is a wide arterial boulevard with a mix of scattered uses, including: office, church, and retail uses, and parking lots. ■ Union Street is a primary transportation corridor linking the Uptown with Waterloo Village and Saint John East. It contains a mix of parking lots and 3 - 4 storey buildings, (some historic, others postwar) with retail at grade and professional offices and /or apartments above. ■ Fairville Boulevard frames the northeast edge of the Fairville Place Intensification Area. The boulevard passes through a section of historic retail oriented 2 -3 storey street frontage, as well as large sections of less developed areas, with one storey retail establishments, employment uses and parking lots. 91 Character Corridors are places for investment in quality streetscaping, the public realm, and urban design in order to strengthen the quality of place in important areas of the City and to act as a catalyst for high quality development in the adjacent Centres and Neighbourhood Intensification Areas. In most cases Character Corridors connect to Saint John's many waterfronts - a key direction in the Municipal Plan. They are not envisioned as places for significant development intensification. Character Corridors include the following: ■ Douglas Avenue connects the Lansdowne Local Centre with Fairville Place and Fairville Corridor on the City's West Side. The avenue has an attractive mix of historic and larger homes on wide lots, set far back from the street, and framed by a tall canopy of street trees. ■ Millidge Avenue (north of Hill Heights Road) provides an attractive view corridor and direct link to the waterfront edge of Millidgeville. ■ Main Street North (west of Douglas Avenue) provides a sloping view corridor and direct connection from the mixed use Lansdowne Local Centre to the waterfront parkland at the western terminus of the street, framed by a mix of semi - detached and row housing. ■ Main Street West (from Chesley Drive to Manawagonish Road) provides connections from the residential neighbourhoods of Greendale and Churchill / Quinton Heights to Chesley Drive and destinations eastward. The street contains a mixed character of housing and businesses, including a broad mix of retail, warehouse and industrial uses. ■ Manawagonish Road (from Main Street West to Manchester Avenue) contains an attractive mix of historic and postwar detached homes on large lots, fronted by a substantial and healthy street tree canopy. ■ Lancaster Avenue / Duke Street West / City Line connects King Square West and Queen Square West parks with two waterfront destinations within the Lower West Side Neighbourhood Intensification Area. ■ Charlotte Street connects the heart of the Uptown at Union Street with the southern tip of the Central Peninsula, where development lands may bring new residents and businesses to revitalize the western waterfront lands. The housing on Charlotte Streets is a mix of historic and post war medium density townhomes and higher density apartments. Setbacks are small or non - existent, as housing and businesses front directly onto the sidewalk at many locations. ■ Mount Pleasant Avenue / Crown Street connects the Uptown and Waterloo Village with the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood and the communities and public amenities found adjacent to, and within Rockwood Park. Commercial Corridors are places in proximity to the Throughway which are suitable for automobile oriented uses and over time are enhanced through improved urban design and site design standards. ■ Rothesay Avenue / City Road have historically served as a service corridor for industrial uses requiring access to the Throughway or rail. As the nature of industry has changed in Saint John, many of the former industrial uses have transitioned or relocated to the City's industrial parks. The Plan will support the continued transition of this area into a higher quality automobile oriented commercial corridor for developments that benefit from locations near the Throughway and for uses not appropriate in the Uptown Primary Centre or other centres identified in the Plan which are more suited to pedestrian oriented uses. 93 2.4 Lands outside the Primary Development Area: The Rural Areas Lands outside the Primary Development Area are generally Rural Areas and are not provided with municipal servicing. Rural Areas include Rural Resource Areas, Rural Settlement Areas, Rural Stable Areas, and Rural Industrial Areas. Policy in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan carefully controls all types of development in Rural Lands. Rural Resource Areas have existing pits and quarries, forestry uses and other forms of resource use. New resource uses may be permitted in Rural Resource Areas provided that it meets criteria outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan and the relevant provisions of the Zoning Bylaw. Rural Industrial Areas have existing industrial uses, such as Canaport LNG and Coleson Cove Generating Station, and residential uses will not be permitted. New Rural Industrial Areas may be permitted in select circumstances provided that it meets the criteria outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan. Rural Settlement Areas are the existing, historic communities of South Bay /Martinon to Ketepec, Lorneville and Treadwell Lake. New, minor low density residential development that is compatible with a rural lifestyle and with the existing community character will be permitted in the Rural Settlement Areas to support their existing character and vitality and to reinforce investments in existing community infrastructure provided that it meets the criteria outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan. Rural Stable Areas are areas with existing low- density residential development that are not located in any of the three Rural Settlement Areas. Limited rural residential development may be permitted provided that it meets the criteria outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan. 2.5 Other Areas Lands within this category are found within and outside of the Primary Development Area. They include land for Parks and Natural Areas as well as lands for Federal Transportation Lands, Stable Areas, and Urban Reserve lands. Parks and Natural Areas are not identified for development, in order to conserve ecosystems and the natural environment. These are areas that are currently in a primarily natural state; are not appropriate locations for development; or would benefit from re- naturalization (conversion back into a natural state) including wooded lands, lakeshores, rivers, coastlines, and important geology and habitats. The lands identified as Parks and Natural Areas are intended to form a system of natural areas to conserve ecosystems through specific policies in the Land Use Chapter, such as the provision of wildlife corridors, protection of Environmentally Sensitive /Significant Areas, and guidelines for watersheds, riparian, coastal and estuarine areas. Federal Transportation Lands are lands under the ownership of the Saint John Port Authority and the Saint John Airport Authority and are subject to Federal regulation. The Port Lands are located in the Uptown Centre, and South End and Lower West Side Urban Intensification Areas. In support of community aspirations for these lands, and notwithstanding their Federal regulation, some areas are identified in the City Structure Map as places for employment, mixed use, residential use, park space and public access to the waterfront. ., 3. LAND USE The Plan responds to the community desire to focus growth and development to support a strengthened urban core, spur economic growth and create an enviable quality of life for all Saint Johners. It provides for locations for different uses to minimize land use conflicts, moves the community towards creating complete neighbourhoods /communities, maximizes the benefits of mixed -use areas and clustering of similar uses, enhances quality of life elements that entice newcomers to move here and existing residents to stay, and provides certainty to residents and businesses so they may make informed decisions about investment and places to live. The desired City Structure discussed in the previous chapter will be achieved through a supporting land use framework which will serve as the regulatory guide for new development. The land use policies which follow, direct new development and intensification to the urban and suburban core of the City. This will ensure that development occurs in a manner that supports complete communities where people can live, work, and shop within walking distance of where they live and at densities which makes it efficient to provide quality transit and other municipal services. The Plan provides clarity and predictability in terms of where new employment and mixed use growth will occur. The land use framework will ensure an adequate supply of land to grow the economy of Saint John and ensure it is in the right locations with appropriate access to transportation and servicing. It will recognize the important role of the primary employment and mixed use centres, the Uptown and the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital centre and will support further regional retail development on the east and west sides of the City. The Plan recognizes the important role of Saint John's traditional industries in the City's economy and the need to minimize future land use conflicts as these industries continue to evolve and new opportunities emerge. Over the next 25 years, this land use framework directs the vast majority of growth (95 %) to the Primary Development Area reflecting the established urban and suburban cores of the City. This will capitalize on investment made in existing water and sanitary service infrastructure. From here, most growth will be directed to the Intensification Areas which are given appropriate land use designations to guide and support the desired growth in these areas. Approximately, 45% of new residential development will be directed to the Urban Intensification Areas and approximately 40% of new suburban growth will be directed to the Suburban Intensification Areas. Minor infill development will continue throughout the City (10% of future growth) and this land use framework ensures stable neighbourhoods will continue to evolve in a manner that is compatible with the character of these neighbourhoods. Rural areas will largely be protected for rural resource activities and natural areas with limited rural growth (5 %) directed to traditional rural communities. 95 3.1 Goals The Land Use goals are: 1. Focus 95% of all new residential development within the Primary Development Area capitalizing on investment made in existing infrastructure. 2. Monitor land supply within the Primary Development Area over the planning period and define the exceptional circumstances under which changes would be considered. 3. Strengthen the Uptown as the Primary Centre for all major commercial, government and community uses, and the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital area as the Primary Centre for health services and post- secondary education. 4. Improve access to Saint John's many waterfronts and enhance the Uptown waterfront in particular as a vibrant mixed use precinct. 5. Enrich the quality of life throughout Saint John, particularly in the priority neighbourhoods by directing the majority of growth to designated Centres and Intensification Areas. 6. Create more mixed use areas where residents, employment, and services are all within close proximity to each other. 7. Direct new industrial development to designated Industrial Areas, minimizing future land use conflicts. 8. Provide improved housing choice, quality and affordability to meet the needs of the changing population. 9. Direct no more than 5% of all new residential development to the City's Rural Areas and focus this growth in traditional Rural Settlement Areas and preserve the balance of the City's rural lands for appropriate resource use and conservation of natural areas. 3.2 Future Land Use Map The Future Land Use Map is a vital component of any Municipal Plan. In order to implement the broad objectives of a Plan, it is essential that a comprehensive picture be devised setting out how land in the City should be developed in the future. The Future Land Use Map takes the City Structure established in the previous chapter and creates a series of land use designations which further refine future land use and investment in the community. In broad terms, policy is developed for each designation shown on the Future Land Use Map to regulate the use and development of land in Saint John. Council shall: Policy LU -1 Adopt a Future Land Use Map for the City of Saint John, attached to this document as Schedule B, to guide future development and ensure that it supports the long term best interests of the City. Policy LU -2 Provide for the overall growth of the City to be in accordance with the Future Land Use Map. The Future Land Use Map represents the land use framework guiding development and investment in Saint John over the planning period. M Policy LU -3 Identify appropriate locations for the major land uses on the Future Land Use Map and it shall: a. Provide sufficient lands to accommodate the projected demands for residential, commercial, industrial and other uses over the planning period; b. Provide for a limited range of compatible uses to occur within the land use designations, subject to the applicable policies of this plan; and c. Provide for the more specific delineation of appropriate land uses in the Zoning By -Law and neighbourhood plans. Policy LU -4 Recognize that the boundaries of land use designations, as shown on Schedule B, are intended as being approximate, except where they coincide with roads or other clearly defined physical features. Where general compliance with Plan policies is maintained, minor adjustments to boundaries shall not require a Plan amendment. Policy LU -5 Not consider changing the designation of lands on the Future Land Use Map, through a Plan Amendment, unless the proposal: a. Is necessary by virtue of a lack of supply of quality land already designated in this Plan to accommodate the development; b. Is consistent with the general intent of this Municipal Plan and further advances the desired City Structure for Saint John; c. Enhances the community and the quality of life offered to residents of the City; d. Efficiently uses available infrastructure; e. Does not negatively impact the use and enjoyment of adjacent lands and neighbourhoods; and f. Is an appropriate use within the land use designation being sought for the property and the proposal is consistent with the specific policies regulating development in the designation. 3.3 Establishment of the Primary Development Area The vision expressed for Saint John in this Municipal Plan is to create a stronger urban structure for the community that targets growth and reinvestment primarily within the urban areas of the community. In order to realize this vision, the Municipal Plan establishes a Primary Development Area, where the vast majority of development is planned to occur over the 25 year horizon for this Municipal Plan. The Growth Strategy prepared to support this Municipal Plan established a goal that 95% of all new residential development over the planning period will take place in the Primary Development Area. The adoption of an urban growth boundary for Saint John is not a new idea. In fact, previous Municipal Plans for Saint John have included similar concepts but over time, amendments to those Plans allowed rural development which undermined efforts to further urbanize the City. Council shall: Policy LU -6 Establish the Primary Development Area (PDA) as shown on the Future Land Use Map. The Primary Development Area includes the lands currently serviced with municipal water and sanitary sewer or those intended to be serviced with this infrastructure over the planning period. 97 Policy LU -7 Intend that the Primary Development Area forms the growth boundary of the City. Lands within the PDA are the priority areas for accommodating future growth over the planning period to capitalize on investments made in existing infrastructure. Policy LU -8 Intend that all lands outside of the Primary Development Area are considered Rural Areas and will be governed by the policies governing Rural Area development in this Plan. Policy LU -9 Not permit development serviced with municipal water and sanitary sewer services beyond the boundaries of the Primary Development Area without first changing the boundaries of the Primary Development Area which requires an amendment to the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -10 Only consider amending the boundaries of the Primary Development Area boundary when: a. Following the completion of a comprehensive review of the Municipal Plan, as defined in the Implementation Chapter of this Plan. b. Notwithstanding Policy LU -10 a, an amendment to the Future Land Use Map may be considered outside of the comprehensive review period as a result of an application to accommodate an unanticipated large -scale industrial development. In such cases, the Primary Development Area shall not be expanded unless the industrial development is consistent with Policy LU -51 of this Plan. 3.4 Land Use Designations The Future Land Use map places all land in the City of Saint John in a land use designation. Land use designations identify the types and intensity of land uses that are appropriate within a given area and set out a specific policy framework to guide growth and development. The Future Land Use Map represents the legal framework for development and the various land use categories provide policy direction to realize the preferred future City Structure of the City. The relationship between the City Structure category and the accompanying Land Use designations is best described below, in Table 1. Table 1: City Structure Categories and Land Use Designations City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre Employment Areas Regional Retail Business Centre Commercial Corridor Local Centre Light Industrial Heavy Industrial Neighbourhood Intensification Areas Mixed Use Urban Intensification Area Medium /High Density Suburban Intensification Area Low /Medium Density Low Density Stable Community Areas Stable Residential Stable Commercial Major Facilities Urban Reserve Urban Reserve Rural Areas Rural Resource Rural Industrial Rural Residential Rural Settlement Parks & Natural Areas Parks & Natural Areas Federal Transportation Lands Federal Transportation Lands City Structure Category Land Use Designations •. 3.5 Land Uses within the Primary Development Area 3.5.1 Primary Centres This Municipal Plan creates two Primary Centres which are intended to accommodate the highest densities of development in the City of Saint John, reflecting Saint John's role as a regional employment, educational, and cultural hub. The Primary Centre designation is used to set out land use policy in the City's Uptown and also in the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital areas. Land use policy for the Primary Centres is customized to reflect the unique land use character and function intended for each Primary Centre ensuring that they evolve in away that complements one another. The two Primary Centres are intended to function as anchors, one in the north of the City, and one in the south of the City, such that higher density land uses and efficient transportation linkages can be provided between them. City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Council shall: Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre Policy LU -11 Create the Primary Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use Map which is used to identify the two areas of the City where the highest intensity of development is to be accommodated: the Uptown and UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital centre. Policy LU -12 Acknowledge that the two Primary Centres in Saint John will evolve differently and have a different function within the community. For clarity, Council intends that: a. The Uptown is the home of the highest intensity mixed -use development in the City, where all major office and government development is located and where a wide range of other commercial uses including specialty retail and the Region's arts, cultural, and entertainment facilities are located. High density residential uses are strongly encouraged in the Uptown Primary Centre. b. The UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital centre is the location for the major cluster of post- secondary education facilities as well as health care, medical and other related services. This Municipal Plan contemplates the introduction of a range of residential and commercial lands uses in this area following completion of a Neighbourhood or Structure Plan. Policy LU -13 Council may consider applications to amend the Future Land Use Map and expand the boundaries of the Primary Centres when a proposal is consistent with Policy LU -5 and the following additional criteria: a. Adequate land is not available within the Primary Centre for the proposed land use; b. The expansion further strengthens the Primary Centre and enhances the role of the Centre as one of the major concentrations of intensive land use in the City; c. For the Uptown Primary Centre, any proposed expansion of this study shall require a study which assesses the impact on adjacent neighbourhoods with respect to land 100 use, traffic, urban design and other such impacts, and a rationale as to why the proposal cannot be accommodated within established areas of the Primary Centre. Uptown Primary Centre An Uptown Strategy was prepared in 1994 to guide the future development and investment of the Uptown as a major regional centre. Many of these Strategy's goals have been realized over time. The fundamental components of the Uptown Strategy align with the directions of PIanSJ and are carried forward as part of this Municipal Plan. The vision identified in the Uptown Strategy recognized the potential for Uptown to emerge as a vibrant centre which: ■ Affords well designed, high quality physical environment, easily accessible and friendly to use; • Provides a variety of locations for its users to work, live, learn, play and visit; • Respects and celebrates its diverse cultural heritage; • Houses businesses and companies that provide outstanding quality goods and services; and • Hosts knowledge -based industries which will play a leading role in transforming the economy of the City. Council shall: Policy LU -14 Recognize the Uptown Primary Centre as the major business, office and retail area within the City of Saint John, featuring mixed use development and intense activity. The Uptown also contains uses which contribute to the City's vitality and animation, such as cultural, entertainment, residential and hospitality uses. Council shall encourage the following uses to locate in the Uptown Primary Centre: a. The major concentrations of government and other major office, financial, and professional services uses in the City; b. Major arts, culture, leisure and entertainment facilities; c. Green space and public gathering places; d. Specialty retailing; e. The retailing of food; f. Visitor attractions that are not location dependent; g. Post - secondary and private educational facilities; and h. Medium and high density residential uses, particularly in mixed use developments. Policy LU -15 Encourage the development and redevelopment of lands in the Uptown Primary Centre, Council shall consider amending the Zoning Bylaw to: a. Establish a height schedule for development directing taller buildings to appropriate locations consistent with the established urban form and to establish requirements for %e Aclsop re ucesdtvWcuF�alr Parking standards for land uses; c. Introduce bicycle parking requirements; 101 d. Allow for the provision of payments to the municipality in the form of cash -in -lieu of Pecuire arkin e. a mit a shar g of parking between uses; and f. Encourage the development of parking spaces within dedicated multi -level structures when feasible to satisfy off - street parking requirements. Policy LU -16 Identify and aggressively pursue business development opportunities which attract new investment and new ideas and provide a positive environment for retention and nurturing of business growth in the Uptown. Policy LU -17 Actively promote the Uptown as an ideal location for residential development. Older adults, students and young professionals, and newcomers are groups which may find Uptown living particularly attractive. Policy LU -18 Ensure that the Uptown is a vibrant urban environment that welcomes entertainment, dining opportunities, arts and cultural venues and events, and other people- oriented uses that contribute to 24 hour a day, year round activity. Policy LU -19 Ensure that the Uptown maintains a compact urban form. This will be achieved by developing supportive land use regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to direct high intensity mixed use development to areas which can support it while maintaining the character of established lower intensity areas. Policy LU -20 Ensure that new construction in the Uptown is sensitive to its historic surroundings and context. Council, however, also encourages modern expressions of architecture in the Uptown. Policy LU -21 Prohibit the development of automobile- oriented land uses in the Uptown. Policy LU -22 Encourage programming (events, formal and informal activities, festivals) of outdoor venues and facilities in the Uptown and to ensure that adequate venues are available for programming in the Uptown. Policy LU -23 Encourage the development of high quality urban design within the Uptown Primary Centre. Development shall incorporate the urban design principles established in this Plan which encourage mixed use urban forms of development. Policy LU -24 Encourage and facilitate commercial development opportunities at the street level and where appropriate, the physical transparency of storefronts through glazing. Policy LU -25 Ensure major new development provides opportunities for improved pedestrian connections at street level and through extensions of the Pedway, only where appropriate. Policy LU -26 Consider developing incentive programs which encourage design excellence, fagade improvements and the redevelopment of upper floors in commercial buildings for quality housing or other appropriate uses. Policy LU -27 Strategically invest in the public realm in the Uptown through a phased program of streetscaping to enhance the pedestrian experience on key corridors identified by this Plan. The City shall also improve, wherever possible, the quality of the physical environment through the planting of trees and grass within the street right -of -way. Policy LU -28 Generally discourage the development of surface parking lots in the Uptown, particularly where building demolition is required to accommodate the proposed 102 parking. Where deemed appropriate, surface parking shall not be visible from the street and shall be located on unutilized land on the fringe of the Uptown. Policy LU -29 Recognize and support enhanced provision of transit service in the Uptown as a catalyst for activity and development in the Uptown. Policy LU -30 Encourage partnerships with Uptown Saint John and community stakeholders to promote the Uptown as a significant destination and to ensure it is beautified and maintained at a high standard. Uptown Waterfront Central to the vision for PlanSJ is the celebration of Saint John's many waterfront areas and positioning them as defining elements of the City. The Inner Harbour Land Use Plan adopted by the City in 2003, identified a vision and a development framework for lands which extend from the southern edge of Fallsview Park, overlooking Reversing Falls, to the former Lantic Sugar site and Round Reef, and includes the Coast Guard site and Partridge Island. The Inner Harbour Land Use Plan provides a higher level of detail with respect to the future development of this area, as compared to other parts of the City. The land use intentions for this area are addressed in both this section and the Urban Design Chapter of the Plan. The area encompasses a rich diversity of cultural, historic, natural and economic resources, including the Fort LaTour site, Partridge Island, Trinity Royal Heritage District, the former Strait Shore fishing village, the HMCS Brunswick facility, the Market Square complex, waterfront properties administered by the Saint John Port Authority, and a number of other strategic development sites owned by public and private interests. The Inner Harbour Land Use Plan also included a development framework for the 'Uptown Waterfront' which is the portion of the Inner Harbour extending from the Fort LaTour site to the Lantic Sugar property. This Municipal Plan provides a supportive land use framework to foster the appropriate quality and mix of development envisioned by the Inner Harbour Land Use Plan. For the purposes of the Municipal Plan, the Uptown waterfront is included within the Uptown Primary Centre land use designation to signal the intention for a vibrant mixed use precinct. In order to ensure development along the waterfront occurs in a comprehensive manner, the Plan will support the establishment of a Waterfront Zone in the Zoning Bylaw. Lands will not be pre -zoned for waterfront development. The Plan requires that all major new development be considered through a rezoning process to ensure the provision of a high quality public realm and improved pedestrian accessibility and a mix of land uses including commercial, residential, cultural and other appropriate uses that benefit from a waterfront location. Council shall: Policy LU -31 Provide a supportive framework for the development of the Saint John Inner Harbour pursuant to the recommendations of the Saint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan and Implementation Strategy (November 2003), as updated over time. Lands within the Uptown Waterfront shall be included in the Uptown Primary Centre designation and development shall be subject to the applicable policies of this designation. Policy LU -32 Establish a Waterfront Zone in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure high quality development and public realm experience for the Uptown Waterfront area. Proposals for major development will be considered through the rezoning process to ensure development 103 occurs comprehensively in keeping with the principles of the Inner Harbour Land Use Plan. In evaluating such proposals Council shall give consideration to the following: a. Provide increased public access to the waterfront, within development sites, and to gn�p44 nvgh fit �� i Gi ebptown Waterfront as a catalyst for new economic development and employment creation opportunities in the City as a whole; c. Creation of a diverse and interesting waterfront offering a mix of land uses and range of unique year -round activities and experiences; d. Potential for new residential development and population growth in the Uptown Waterfront, Uptown Saint John and in the South End; e. Provision of new flexible public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, that meet the needs of a variety of users and can be used throughout the year; f. Facilitates better utilization of the community's existing waterfront developments, assets and heritage sites, including Market Square, New Brunswick Museum, Trinity Royal, the Fort LaTour site and Partridge Island where appropriate; g. Potential to increase the frequency and duration of tourist visits to Saint John; h. Potential to sustain and enhance the Saint John Port Authority's cruise operations by creating new, compatible integrated development opportunities; i. Supports the relocation of incompatible marine and industrial uses from the Uptown Waterfront; j. Demonstrate innovation in sustainable planning, design, engineering and management practices; k. Promotion of design excellence to create inspiring places and high quality landmark buildings; I. Opportunities to connect waterfront assets to the City and Region with a land and water -based network that provides for ease of movement between the waterfront and areas beyond; m. Provision of an access and parking strategy, showing how the needs of the project will be accommodated while also contributing to the needs of the waterfront /Uptown; n. That a comprehensive plan is developed to provide a clear understanding of all key aspects of the proposal, including proposed land uses, project statistics, design concept, architectural treatment, areas of public access and benefit; and o. Proposals shall conform to the principles, objectives and design guidelines outlined in the Urban Design chapter of this Municipal Plan. 104 Uptown Neighbourhood Plan Policy LU -33 Establish an Uptown Primary Centre Neighbourhood Plan which shall contain statements of policy addressing: a. The appropriate forms and locations of all desirable land uses including residential development and opportunities for mixed use development; b. The further development of arts and culture, entertainment, visitor attractions and amenities in the Centre; c. Identify strategies to protect and promote the reuse of heritage assets; d. The identification of investment priorities, particularly park & streetscape improvements, the further development of Harbour Passage, and views to the Harbour; e. Priorities for transportation improvements, particularly investments that make public transit, cycling, and walking easier and more attractive; f. Priorities for other infrastructure investments such as relocating electrical infrastructure underground; g. Strategies to accommodate the demand for parking while ensuring that parking infrastructure contributes to the success and attractiveness of the Uptown; and h. Such other matters as are desirable for the development of the area. 105 UNBSJ Plateau/ Regional Hospital Primary Centre This Primary Centre is intended to develop meet the needs of the existing cluster of health sciences and post- secondary educational institutions, to support growth in these knowledge -based sectors. Council shall: Policy LU -34 Encourage the following uses to locate in the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital Primary Centre: • Post - secondary education & other institutional facilities; • Medical /health facilities; • Laboratories and research & development facilities; and • Residential and commercial land uses consistent with a neighbourhood or structure plan adopted by Common Council. Policy LU -35 Establish a Neighbourhood or Structure Plan for the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital Primary Centre in collaboration with the property owners which shall contain statements of policy with respect to: a. The appropriate forms and locations of all desirable land uses including residential development to the extent that it enhances the continued positioning of the Primary be to dsentrAA Tian o in�estmenr porn neies,cpar icularlypar�C'& streetscape improvements; c. Priorities for transportation and other infrastructure improvements, such as bus routes and stops, cycleways, pedestrian links, connections to other existing developed areas, and shared parking facilities; d. Key public amenities including parkland, trails, and viewsheds; e. Further improving the quality of amenities and life for the student population and those employed in the Centre; and f. Such other matters as are desirable for the development of the area. 106 3.5.2 Employment Areas The City's Employment Areas area foundation piece of this Municipal Plan. The City's growth and development in the future will largely be dictated by the community's ability to create employment and economic activity and any successful urban area requires an ample supply of well located, high quality employment lands to accommodate the needs of business and industry. This Municipal Plan creates six land use designations to accommodate employment in the community: City Structure Categories Primary Centre Employment Areas Regional Retail Centre Land Use Designations Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre Regional Retail Business Centre Commercial Corridor I nrn1 (nntrn Regional Retail Centres are the primary large- format retail and service concentrations in the City. These Centres provide retail development that is designed to be accessed primarily by automobile although this Municipal Plan sets out policy that seeks improvements so that pedestrians, cyclists, and those using public transit can benefit from improved access to these important amenities. A Regional Retail Centre has been identified in East Saint John and a further area is located in the Fairville Boulevard corridor in West Saint John. Council shall: Policy LU -36 Create the Regional Retail Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use Map which is used to identify the two areas of the City where large format commercial and retail development will be directed: McAllister Centre and Fairville Boulevard Centre. Policy LU -37 Acknowledge that each Regional Retail Centre in Saint John is unique and will evolve differently to serve the needs of the community. Council intends that: a. McAllister Centre is the major regional retail centre in the City and will continue to be the focus for commercial retail and service -based uses intended to serve all of Southwestern New Brunswick. b. Fairville Boulevard Centre is a secondary, more community -based retail centre which will contain less intensive commercial retail and service -based uses intended to primarily serve residents west of the St. John River. Policy LU -38 When considering development in the Regional Retail Centres: a. Strongly discourage major professional offices and residential uses; Require that development demonstrate consideration of transit and pedestrian connectivity to the street and between retail locations; 107 c. Ensure that development contributes to a more pedestrian- oriented atmosphere by minimizing surface parking lots, encouraging shared parking, increasing landscaping and Frnocou age quality ur�anrc�esign ain 'where possible, more intense land use and development; e. Ensure that infrastructure improvements made necessary by a development project are generally the financial responsibility of the developer; and f. Ensure that the specific land uses established in the Regional Retail Centre are appropriate and strengthen the role of the City's Primary Centres. McAllister Regional Centre Policy LU -39 Prepare a comprehensive Stormwater Management Strategy that recognizes current flooding and storm water management issues in the McAllister Regional Centre and proposes measures to mitigate and /or resolve them. Council shall seek the cooperation of property owners in the Regional Centre to successfully implement the Strategy. Fairville Boulevard Regional Centre Policy LU -40 Prepare a Neighbourhood or Structure Plan for the Fairville Boulevard Regional Centre, which shall contain statements of policy with respect to: a. The coordination of land uses and infrastructure improvements in the area; b. The identification of opportunities to encourage the intensification of the Lancaster Mall site with retail and service facilities directly abutting Fairville Boulevard; c. Indicate a phasing strategy for short, medium and long -term land use changes that are compatible and not competitive with the McAllister Centre; d. Further encourage the relocation of incompatible land uses from the area to the City's industrial parks; e. Set detailed standards for land use, site design principles, landscaping, access arrangements, street /transportation improvements, transit routes, and other infrastructure improvements; f. The provision of improved linkages and transitions between the Regional Centre and adjacent neighbourhoods; and g. Establish priorities for community improvements. 1: Business Centres Business Centres are concentrations of light industrial and commercial development generally located on or adjacent to arterial streets in Saint John. These Centres generally contain significant employment but are not located in one of the Primary or Regional Centres and include the Main Street Commercial Area, Maritime Opportunity Centre, Loch Lomond Place, Somerset Business Park, and Millidgeville Business Centre. With the exception of Somerset Business Park, these areas are generally not identified for significant new development however they are anticipated to evolve over time in a manner that is appropriate to the surrounding context. Council shall: Policy LU -41 Create the Business Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use Map which is used to identify lands in the City of Saint John where a mix of commercial and light industrial uses including office uses are to be accommodated. Council intends that Business Centres serve a different purpose than the City's Primary Centres in that the uses accommodated are more automobile dependent, may require loading and storage space, may have a warehousing or laboratory component, or are not location dependent such as call centres. Policy LU -42 Ensure the Zoning Bylaw contains appropriate land use regulations to ensure that the redevelopment of lands in the Business Centre designation benefits from high quality urban design, extensive landscaping, pedestrian connectivity and restrictions on outdoor storage. Policy LU -43 Ensure the Business Centre designation is generally intended to identify a land use framework for existing concentrations of mixed commercial and industrial development. The re- designation of lands to expand existing Business Centres shall only be considered where: a. The applicant demonstrates that the proposed land use cannot be accommodated in the Primary Centres or other designated Employment Areas; b. Due consideration is given to site suitability including such considerations as road access, availability of public transit, necessary municipal servicing, compatibility with surrounding land uses, high quality urban design and landscaping; and c. The proposed development demonstrates high quality urban design with extensive landscaping, pedestrian connectivity and no outdoor storage. Specific redevelopment or expansion of a Business Centre, if approved, will demonstrate enhanced connectivity to the streetscape. Policy LU -44 Recognize that in the future there will be an opportunity to redevelop the lands generally bounded by Main Street, Chesley Drive, and Hilyard Street to accommodate more urban forms of development. It is Council's intention to work with the proponents of any such redevelopment to prepare appropriate plans to redevelop this area with a more urban character such as those found in the adjoining areas in the Uptown and the Old North End. Policy LU -45 Recognize that a technology /business park has been established west of Somerset Street adjacent to Technology Drive. Further development potential continues to exist in this Business Centre and it shall be the Policy of Council to encourage the use of the lands for an appropriate range of technology, knowledge, laboratory's and research- 109 based businesses as identified in the Zoning Bylaw. Council may consider additional investments in infrastructure to support the further development of this Business Centre. Commercial Corridors Commercial Corridors are focused on some of the major thoroughfares in Saint John that accommodate a diverse range of commercial, light industrial, and community uses. These Corridors have been identified in the Municipal Plan as appropriate locations for intensified land use and investment as they provide the major linkages between the Primary Centres, Employment Areas, and Intensification Areas. Council shall: Policy LU -46 Create the Commercial Corridor land use designation on the Future Land Use Map which is used to identify lands that are predominantly intended to be developed for automobile- oriented service and commercial uses generally excluding large- format retail uses. Institutional and community facilities and some compatible light industrial uses are also appropriate land uses in this designation. New residential uses and major professional offices will generally not be permitted. Policy LU -47 Ensure land development in the Commercial Corridor designation shall include consideration of: a. The provision of appropriate pedestrian, transit and cycling infrastructure to accommodate alternate modes of transportation; b. Quality urban design, landscaping, and streetscaping; and c. The potential to minimize the number of access driveways serving developments and to encourage the development of shared joint access driveways. Policy LU -48 Consider the expansion of Commercial Corridors or the addition of new Commercial Corridors in accordance with the following criteria: a. The Commercial Corridor is focused on a collector or arterial street in the City's transportation system as identified on Schedule C; b. Council is of the view that the Commercial Corridor provides a major linkage between a Primary Centre, Employment Area and /or an Intensification Area and is a logical location for the land uses deemed appropriate in this designation. 110 Local Centres The Municipal Plan acknowledges that there is a need and an opportunity for additional commercial development to be located in the North End to serve the neighbourhoods located between the Uptown Primary Centre and the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital Primary Centre. Lands adjacent to Somerset Street north of Churchill Boulevard /Samuel Davis Drive already accommodate a range of commercial uses and there are a number of industrial land uses which should transition to more urban and neighbourhood -based land uses overtime. This Local Centre is intended to provide a range of retail and service - oriented commercial uses that will serve residents in the North End and Millidgeville. The form of development intended is community- oriented urban commercial development at higher densities that support pedestrian activity and transit use. Encouraging the development of more housing in this part of the City is also desirable as it will further justify enhanced public transit connecting the two Primary Centres and it will help provide customers for the commercial uses that the City hopes to attract to this area. Council shall: Policy LU -49 Create the Local Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use Map for the lands adjacent to Somerset Street between Churchill Boulevard /Samuel Davis Drive and Millidge Avenue. The Local Centre designation is intended to encourage the development of a mix of urban land uses that support the development of a high quality streetscape and transit corridor with an emphasis on community -scale commercial uses. Council will encourage the development of complementary medium and high density residential development. Institutional and community facilities are also an appropriate use in this designation. Policy LU -50 Adopt regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to implement the policy objectives identified in the Local Centre designation. Bylaw provisions shall provide for the creation of an urban form where uses are located close to the street and balance the needs of motorists with those accessing the land from sidewalks, public transit and bicycle routes. The Bylaw shall set out an appropriate range of permitted uses, standards for urban design, parking, and landscaping, and provide for pedestrian and transit connectivity. The Zoning Bylaw may also set out minimum and maximum permitted floor areas for specific land uses. 111 Industrial Areas Saint John's economy is founded on its industrial and manufacturing operations, and the community is poised to continue its strong growth in sectors related to these activities. The City of Saint John recognizes that while critical to our economic growth, industrial land uses can significantly affect the quality of life in neighbourhoods and they must be carefully located to maximize their benefit to the community. The Municipal Plan establishes two industrial designations: the Light Industrial designation and the Heavy Industrial designation to steer industrial uses to their most appropriate location. The City also plays an important role in supplying the land required to accommodate industrial growth through its ownership of Saint John Industrial Parks Limited (SJIPL). SJIPL will help to ensure that an appropriate supply of land is available in the Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial designations in carefully planned industrial parks to fuel the community's future growth. General Industrial Policies Council shall: Policy LU -51 Recognize that the community's significant industrial base gives rise to the potential for unanticipated large -scale industrial developments that cannot be accommodated by the lands currently designated Industrial in this Plan. Council may consider applications to re- designate additional lands to Light or Heavy Industrial or Rural Industrial on the Future Land Use Map and shall consider the following in evaluating such proposals: a. Adequate lands that are already designated for Industrial development are available or are inappropriate to accommodate the proposed use; b. Appropriate studies are conducted by the applicant to satisfy Council that the proposed lands are located an appropriate distance away from incompatible land uses or it is demonstrated that appropriate mitigative measures can be implemented to address any community and /or environmental impacts associated with the development; and c. Due consideration is given to site suitability including such considerations as road access, necessary municipal servicing, landscaping and buffering. Policy LU -52 Encourage the relocation of incompatible light and heavy industrial uses located throughout the city to properly designated and zoned industrial areas. 112 Light Industrial Areas: Council shall: Policy LU -53 Create the Light Industrial land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. The Light Industrial designation is intended to accommodate industries which generally do not create nuisances discernible beyond the property line. Examples of such industries include, but are not limited to, light manufacturing and assembly, warehousing, wholesaling, distribution, research & development activities, equipment or vehicle servicing, sales or rental. Uses in the Light Industrial designation are connected to the City's water and sanitary sewer systems. Policy LU -54 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw that: a. Limit outdoor storage in Light Industrial areas and where it exists, provides that it be screened from adjacent uses and public areas and kept in a neat and orderly manner; b. Require industrial activities to be sited within enclosed buildings; c. Permit only limited ancillary activities (e.g. offices) that are used directly in conjunction with the primary light industrial use; and d. Limit the scale of retail sales in lands intended for light industrial development. Heavy Industrial Areas: Council shall: Policy LU -55 Create the Heavy Industrial land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. The Heavy Industrial designation is intended to accommodate industries which may or may not create a nuisance, including noise, heavy truck traffic, smoke, dust, heat, particulate matter, or highly visible outdoor storage, discernible beyond the property line. It is intended that all of the uses permitted in the Light Industrial designation shall be permitted in the Heavy Industrial designation except as specifically excluded by the Zoning Bylaw. Uses in the Heavy Industrial designation will generally utilize the City's water and sanitary sewer systems. Policy LU -56 Require that Heavy Industrial uses which emit pollution shall be required to provide appropriate separation distances and /or buffers from incompatible uses, as provided for in the Zoning Bylaw or as specifically required by Common Council. Policy LU -57 Establish requirements in the Zoning Bylaw to require appropriate hazard and risk assessment studies prior to permitting certain intensive Heavy Industrial uses in the City of Saint John. Policy LU -58 Generally prohibit the designation of lands as Heavy Industrial that are not located in an industrial park specifically designed to accommodate such uses. Policy LU -59 Notwithstanding policy LU -51, recognize there are a number of existing capital- intensive heavy industrial facilities in the City that are not located in industrial parks. Council may consider the re- designation of lands that are contiguous with these uses to Heavy Industrial, without an amendment to this Plan, provided that appropriate mitigation measures are provided. 113 3.5.3 Neighbourhood Intensification Areas The City Structure that has been created to support this Municipal Plan includes the designation of a number of Urban and Suburban Intensification Areas. These Intensification Areas are intended to accommodate the vast majority of residential growth and change as well as a mix of commercial and other land uses where appropriate. These are also areas where the City will focus its investment to attract development opportunities. Given the large geography and the limited demand for future growth in Saint John, it is necessary for the City to prioritize areas intended to receive growth. Mixed Use Centres are places located adjacent to Urban Intensifications Areas which are appropriate for re- urbanization and where the Plan will direct mixed commercial and medium to higher density residential development. These include Landsdowne Mall in the old North end, Prince Edward Square in Waterloo Village and Main Street West. Urban Intensification Areas are neighbourhoods that have generally been developed prior to World War II. The Urban Intensification Areas include each of the five priority neighbourhoods in Saint John, including the Old North End, South End, Lower West Side, Waterloo Village, and Crescent Valley, and are all located close to the urban core where a range of municipal services and amenities are readily available. These areas will benefit from renewed investment and development and are targeted to receive approximately 45% of future growth and development. Suburban Intensification Areas are neighbourhoods that have generally been developed since World War II or are currently undeveloped lands which have the potential to accommodate future residential development, with a limited range of other appropriate land uses. Council intends to encourage suburban growth here that assumes a more compact urban form and provides a range of different housing options with access to local and community services by a range of transportation modes. Suburban Intensification Areas have been identified in the Monte Cristo /Gault Road area on the West Side, the Forest Hills /Lakewood area on the East Side and in Millidgeville to the north and are targeted to receive approximately 40% of future growth and Development. This Municipal Plan sets out a common land use framework to guide growth and investment in the Mixed Use Centres and the Urban and Suburban Intensification Areas. Four land use designations are identified which define different levels of development density and a further designation is created to encourage mixed -use development in specific urban areas: City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre P-1- -t A-- P-i I Rct�il 114 Mixed Use Centre Council shall: Policy LU -60 Create the Mixed Use Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -61 Within the Mixed Use Centre designation, permit a range of commercial and higher density forms of residential development such as apartment, condominium and townhouse units, integrated with appropriately scaled commercial uses in carefully planned locations to facilitate the development of a vibrant, complete, urban neighbourhood. Policy LU -62 Seek to achieve gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Mixed Use Centre of no less than 45 units per net hectare. Density shall not be calculated on a property by property basis but shall be calculated in the Intensification Area as a whole. Policy LU -63 Establish appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw to encourage mixed -use development appropriate for the neighbourhood in which it is located by requiring appropriate setbacks, massing, height, and limits to the permitted commercial uses. 115 Medium /High Density Council shall: Policy LU -64 Create the Medium /High Density land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -65 Within the Medium /High Density designation, permit a range of housing types with an emphasis on the provision of higher density housing forms such as apartment, condominium, and townhouse units. Nothing in this Plan, however, shall be interpreted to prohibit lower density forms of residential development in this designation. Other compatible uses may be permitted in the Medium /High Density designation without amendment to this Plan including convenience stores, home occupations, neighbourhood retail uses, parks, and community facilities. Policy LU -66 Seek to achieve gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Medium /High Density of no less than 45 units per net hectare. Density shall not be calculated on a property by property basis but shall be calculated in the Intensification Area as a whole. Policy LU -67 Establish appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw to require new development to have appropriate setbacks, massing and height to create high quality residential environments. Policy LU -68 Establish regulations in the Zoning Bylaw that allows for mixed -use development in the Medium /High Density designation that includes the following general types of land use: • Residential development • Appropriate retail and office uses • Live /work forms of development • Community facilities • Home occupations Policy LU -69 Consider proposals to establish mixed -use development in the Medium /High Density designation through a rezoning process. Proposals must demonstrate conformance with the following criteria: a. The property is located on a collector or arterial street as illustrated on Schedule C of this Plan or is on a site identified for mixed use by a Neighbourhood Plan; b. The property is located in close proximity to a public transit route and is easily accessible by a range of transportation modes; c. The ground floor frontage of buildings facing collector and arterial streets is generally devoted to retail and commercial uses; and d. Residential development is generally located on the upper floors of buildings. 116 Low /Medium Density Council shall: Policy LU -70 Create the Low /Medium Density land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -71 Within the Low /Medium Density designation, a range of housing types is permitted with an emphasis on the provision of lower density forms of housing including townhouses, semi - detached, duplex and single detached dwellings. Other compatible uses may be permitted in the Low /Medium Density designation without amendment to this Plan including convenience stores, home occupations, parks, and community facilities. Policy LU -72 Notwithstanding Policy LU -71, new housing development of higher density may be appropriate in the Low /Medium Density designation, such as apartment and condominium dwellings, and shall be permitted subject to a rezoning process, where such development demonstrates compliance with the following criteria: a-09WANK W'eFOeer VIN' ydte%ERMk ?69&TSNrAArcg6Md8c�stransit routes; c. Is appropriately designed for the area in which it is located and is encouraged in suitable sites for in -fill development; d. Is compatible with surrounding land uses; e. Are in locations where all necessary water and sewer services, parks and recreation services, schools and other community facilities and protective services can readily and adequately be provided; f. Sufficient on -site parking and green space is provided; g. Site design features that adequately address such matters as safe access, buffering and landscaping, site grading and storm water management are incorporated; and h. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that contributes positively to the City's urban form. Policy LU -73 Seek to achieve gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Low /Medium Density of no less than 35 units per hectare and no more than 90 units per net hectare. Density shall not be calculated on a property by property basis but shall be calculated in the Intensification Area as a whole. Policy LU -74 Notwithstanding Policy LU -71, it shall be the Policy of Council that small neighbourhood retail and other commercial uses are encouraged on King Street West, particularly when implemented in a mixed use development. Policy LU -75 Notwithstanding Policy LU -71, it shall be the Policy of Council that small neighbourhood retail and other commercial uses may be permitted elsewhere in the Low /Medium Density designation by rezoning where compliance with the following criteria is demonstrated: a. The site is located on an arterial or collector street, as illustrated on Schedule C of this Plan, and is on the periphery of low density residential development; b. The uses are intended to serve the local neighbourhood and there is a demonstrable need for additional neighbourhood retail and commercial development in the immediate area; 117 c. The maximum gross floor area of commercial uses does not exceed 500 square metres; and d. Due consideration is given to site suitability including such considerations as road access, availability of public transit, necessary municipal servicing, compatibility with surrounding land uses, high quality urban design and landscaping. Low Density Council shall: Policy LU -76 Create the Low Density land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -77 Within the Low Density designation, permit a limited range of housing types with an emphasis on single detached, semi - detached and duplex dwellings. Other compatible uses may be permitted in the Low Density designation without amendment to this Plan including convenience stores, home occupations, parks, and community facilities. Policy LU -78 Seek to achieve gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Low Density of no less than 20 units per hectare and no more than 45 units per net hectare. Density shall not be calculated on a property by property basis but shall be calculated in the Intensification Area as a whole. Policy LU -79 Notwithstanding Policy LU -77, a limited number of new higher density residential developments such as grade- oriented townhouse, apartment and condominium dwellings may be permitted subject to a rezoning process where such development demonstrates compliance with the following criteria: eeq���t� �r� § roeg ���stransit routes; 6: alo- 00AIW WeNPAW804 NyAg0 c. Is encouraged in suitable sites for in -fill development; d. Is compatible with surrounding land uses; e. Are in locations where all necessary water and sewer services, parks and recreation services, schools and other community facilities and protective services can readily and adequately be provided; f. Sufficient on -site parking and green space is provided; g. Site design features that adequately address such matters as safe access, buffering and landscaping, site grading and storm water management are incorporated; h. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that contributes positively to the City's urban form; and i. No building has a height exceeding 4 stories unless specifically permitted in a Neighbourhood or Structure Plan. 118 3.5.4 Stable Community Areas These lands are other developed lands inside the Primary Development Area identified as Stable Community Areas in the City's Structure. These areas include a number of existing neighbourhoods in the City which are generally built -out and are not anticipated to receive major change over the planning period. Three land use designations are established in this Plan to provide policy direction for the future use of land in these areas: City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Stable Residential Areas Council shall: Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre Policy LU -80 Create the Stable Residential designation on the Future Land Use Map. Within the Stable Residential designation, housing of almost every form and density may be found and its acceptability is dependent on its specific location. In addition, other compatible uses may be found in the Stable Residential designation including convenience stores, home occupations, parks, and community facilities which are permitted in the designation without amendment to the Municipal Plan. Policy LU -81 Intend that the areas designated Stable Residential will evolve over time from a land use perspective but that new and redeveloped land uses are to reinforce the predominant community character and make a positive contribution to the neighbourhood. Policy LU -82 Ensure that significant new development and redevelopment in areas designated Stable Residential shall generally be permitted only subject to a rezoning process where compliance is demonstrated with the following criteria: g: Tkg mt�i� %tg�pgss.itively to the neighbourhood; c. The development is in a location where all necessary water and sewer services, parks and recreation services, schools, public transit and other community facilities and protective services can readily and adequately be provided; d. Site design features that adequately address such matters as safe access, buffering and landscaping, site grading and storm water management are incorporated; e. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that contributes positively to the City's urban form; and f. The proposal is on a property identified as a Corridor in the City Structure Map or does not detract from the City's intention to direct the majority of new residential development to the Primary Centres, Local Centres, and Intensification Areas. 119 Stable Commercial Areas Council shall: Policy LU -83 Create the Stable Commercial land use designation on the Future Land Use Map. Within the Stable Commercial designation a range of commercial uses exist that are likely to evolve over time. Within the Stable Commercial designation, redevelopment of property is permitted in compliance with the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw provided that the proposal does not negatively affect surrounding land uses. In addition, other compatible uses maybe found in the Stable Commercial designation including housing, parks, and community facilities which are permitted in the designation without amendment to the Municipal Plan. Policy LU -84 Ensure that significant new development and redevelopment in areas designated Stable Commercial shall generally be permitted only subject to a rezoning process where compliance is demonstrated with the following criteria: a. The proposed land use is desirable and contributes positively to the neighbourhood Srf%aproposal is compatible with surrounding land uses; c. The development is in a location where all necessary water and sewer services, protective services, and appropriate transportation infrastructure including public transit is provided; d. Site design features that adequately address such matters as safe access, buffering and landscaping, site grading and storm water management are incorporated; e. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that contributes positively to the City's urban form; and f. The proposal does not detract from the City's intention to direct the majority of new commercial development to the Primary Centres, Regional Retail Centres, Business Centres, Commercial Corridors, Local Centres, and Mixed Use Centres. Major Community Facilities Saint John has a number of major institutions and other significant facilities that serve the community. Learning institutions such as high schools and the New Brunswick Community College have major campuses that require special land use regulation. Similarly, major health service facilities, recreation complexes, and places of worship and assembly need to be carefully planned and regulated to ensure that they do not negatively impact adjacent land uses. Council shall: Policy LU -85 Create the Major Community Facilities designation on the Future Land Use Map which is intended to accommodate a range of larger -scale institutional uses including, but not limited to high schools and other educational facilities, major care facilities, recreation facilities, places of worship and assembly, and other government and community uses. 120 Policy LU -86 Ensure that major new community facilities that are of City -wide or regional significance are located in areas designated Major Community Facilities and shall generally be permitted only subject to a rezoning process where compliance is demonstrated with the following criteria: a. The proposed land use is desirable and contributes positively to the neighbourhood srt%aproposal is compatible with surrounding land uses; c. The development is in a location where all necessary water and sewer services, protective services, and appropriate transportation infrastructure including public transit is provided; d. Site design features that adequately address such matters as safe access, buffering and landscaping, site grading and storm water management are incorporated; and e. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that contributes positively to the City's urban form. 3.5.5 Urban Reserve The primary intent of the Urban Reserve designation is to ensure there is a continuous supply of land that can be serviced with municipal water and sanitary sewer services beyond the 25 year time horizon of this Plan. Lands within this designation are to be carefully managed to preserve the potential for future urban expansion. City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Council shall: Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre Policy LU -87 Create the Urban Reserve designation on the Future Land Use Map in order to preserve undeveloped lands within the Primary Development Area for future growth and development beyond the 25 year time horizon of this Plan. Policy LU -88 It shall be the Policy of Council to strongly discourage development in the Urban Reserve designation and only permit limited low density residential uses on large lots, resource uses excluding extraction activities such as pits and quarries, and other appropriate uses which do not preclude future urban development. The Zoning Bylaw shall establish the necessary controls for the development of land within this designation. 121 3.6 Land Use Designations outside the Primary Development Area: Rural Areas The City of Saint John is a large municipality with over 300 square kilometers of land within its boundaries. Council intends that urban development is most appropriately located within the boundaries of the Primary Development Area. This Plan carefully manages land uses beyond the PDA in the Rural Areas to preserve the environmental features and functions of these lands, protect the rural character of these areas, and facilitate the continued use of these lands for rural resource use. In order to properly manage land use in the Rural Areas of the City, this Plan creates four land use designations which specifically apply to the City's Rural Areas: City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre F-lnvmor� A �S Roninn�l Ro *mil 3.6.1 Genera[PRicies Council shall: Policy LU -89 Discourage new residential roads in the Rural Areas except in areas designated Rural Settlement Areas. Policy LU -90 Establish controls in the Zoning Bylaw and the Subdivision Bylaw to limit subdivision development in the Rural Areas outside the Primary Development Area. The City of Saint John shall generally require that new lots outside the Primary Development Area have a minimum lot area of 4 hectares except as otherwise provided in a specific rural land use designation. 122 Rural Resource The majority of the lands within the City's Rural Areas are located in the Rural Resource designation. These lands are intended to be managed to facilitate resource related activities such as forestry operations, agriculture, the fishery, and extraction activities including pits and quarries. Limited residential and other land uses may be contemplated. Council shall: Policy LU -91 Create the Rural Resource designation on the Future Land Use Map. Council intends that land within the Rural Resource designation shall generally be used for resource uses including forestry operations, agriculture including livestock operations, the fishery, and extraction activities including pits and quarries. Policy LU -92 Intend that resource extraction uses including pits and quarries shall be located in the Rural Resource designation and that such uses must be rezoned to the Pits and Quarries Zone. The Pits and Quarries Zone sets out specific performance standards for the operation of pits and quarries which control the operation and rehabilitation of operative and inoperative pits and quarries. In considering applications to rezone property to the Pits and Quarries Zone, Council shall ensure the proposed use can demonstrate compliance with all of the zone provisions, including: a. An appropriate location; b. Acceptable hours of operation; c. Incorporation of site development measures which will assist in the control of smoke, dust, odours, toxic materials, vibration and noise; d. Meeting the Zone's setback, yard, and separation distance requirements from existing roads or uses; e. The provision of acceptable visual screening; f. Acceptable location of buildings and equipment; g. Incorporation of necessary safety and protective measures; h. Acceptable location of entrances and exits, and the designation of hauling routes; i. Plans demonstrating compliance with signage and landscaping provisions; and j. Measures to ensure future rehabilitation of the site. Policy LU -93 Consider permitting limited residential development in the Rural Resource designation. Residential development shall only be permitted on newly created lots that have a minimum lot area of 4 hectares and have direct access to an existing public or private street. Policy LU -94 Generally not accept the dedication of new public streets within the Rural Resource designation unless Council is of the view that the new roadway is necessary to provide safe access to development or is necessary to improve connectivity between developments in the general area. Policy LU -95 Council may consider requests to re- designate lands to the Rural Resource designation provided that a demonstrated potential exists for a resource - related use of the land and 123 any environmental impacts of the proposal can be mitigated to a level deemed acceptable by Common Council. Rural Industrial Rural Industrial areas describe lands which accommodate, or are intended to accommodate, significant industrial uses which are best suited to un- serviced rural areas. Existing land uses in this designation include the Canaport LNG terminal, the Coleson Cove Electrical Generating Station, the solid waste management facility at Crane Mountain, and other un- serviced industrial uses located in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park. Future development of energy - related industries in Saint John may require the designation of additional lands within this category to accommodate growth. Residential land uses are inappropriate in this area given the intensive industrial nature of the land uses and will not be permitted. Council shall: Policy LU -96 Create the Rural Industrial designation on the Future Land Use Map. Council intends that land within the Rural Industrial designation shall exclusively be used for industrial uses subject to relevant provisions contained within the Zoning Bylaw. Policy LU -97 Council may consider applications to re- designate lands to Rural Industrial provided that substantial compliance is achieved with the criteria set out in Policy LU -51. Rural Residential The Municipal Plan applies the Rural Residential designation to those lands which accommodate existing low- density residential development that is un- serviced and located beyond the Primary Development Area. This Municipal Plan seeks to curtail this form of development and Plan policy limits further subdivision of lots for this purpose. Council shall: Policy LU -98 Create the Rural Residential designation on the Future Land Use Map. Council intends that land within the Rural Residential designation is generally intended to accommodate existing rural residential development. Development of residential uses on existing lots shall be permitted but the creation of new lots for additional rural residential development will generally be discouraged, except where applications for subdivision were approved by Common Council prior to the adoption of this Plan. Council will permit other compatible uses including home occupations, parks, and community facilities without amendment to the Municipal Plan. Policy LU -99 Not permit the expansion of rural residential development to lands not currently designated for this form of development. Council therefore shall not consider applications to re- designate lands to the Rural Residential designation except where such an application is necessary to correct a mapping error. Policy LU -100 Require that new lots in the Rural Residential designation shall be created through the Subdivision By -law and shall have a minimum lot area of 5,000 square metres. Council shall permit the creation of no more than 2 new lots from a host parcel and will not permit the creation of any more than 1 new access driveway to a collector or arterial roadway as a result of such subdivisions, except where approved by Common Council prior to the adoption of this Plan. 124 Policy LU -101 Generally not accept the dedication of new public streets or the creation of new private streets within the Rural Residential designation unless Council is of the view that the new roadway is necessary to provide safe access to development or is necessary to improve connectivity between developments in the general area. Rural Settlement Saint John is a City which has been expanded over time to incorporate a number of historic rural communities. This Municipal Plan recognizes three Rural Settlement Areas including South Martinon to Ketepec, Lorneville and Treadwell Lake where additional small scale Rural Residential and supporting commercial and community uses will be permitted. The new, low density residential development in these settlements is intended to be compatible with a rural lifestyle and with the existing community character. This housing will support the existing character and vitality of these settlements and utilize the existing community facilities that are already established in these areas. Permitting small scale growth in these settlement areas is intended to better utilize the City's investments in community infrastructure in these places. Council shall: Policy LU -102 Create the Rural Settlement designation on the Future Land Use Map. Council intends that lands within the Rural Settlement designation are to be developed in a way that is consistent with the character and form of the existing community. The development of low density housing with onsite water and sewage systems is permitted as are appropriate small scale commercial uses, community facilities, home occupations, and parks. Policy LU -103 Acknowledge that the Lorneville Rural Settlement Area is home to a traditional fishery and that in this settlement area, land uses that support the continued viability of the fishing industry will be permitted. 125 3.7 Land Use Designations Common to the Primary Development Area and the Rural Area This Municipal Plan creates two land use designations which are found in both the Primary Development Area and the Rural Area. A designation titled Federal Transportation Lands recognizes that the City of Saint John is unable to control land use on property owned by the Government of Canada used for transportation purposes including the Port of Saint John and the Saint John Airport. In the case of the Saint John Airport, the Airport lands are designated Federal Transportation and this Plan contains statements of policy with respect to the community's preferred use of this property. The Future Land Use Map communicates the City's preferred land use intentions for the Port Authority's property slightly differently recognizing that the Port is centrally located in the heart of Saint John's urban core. Portions of the Port lands located within the Uptown's central waterfront have been placed in one of the land use designations reserved for properties in the Primary Development Area reflecting the City's preferred future use of the lands for mixed use development. The Federal Transportation designation has also been applied as an overlay to acknowledge that the City has limited land use authority on these properties. The lands in the City of Saint John that are designated Parks and Natural Areas are lands that are generally not appropriate for any form of development including resource use. The lands identified as Parks and Natural Areas are intended to form a system of natural areas to help conserve natural ecosystems. Parks and Natural Areas include park lands and those lands that are identified as being environmentally sensitive or significant, lands that are located adjacent to watercourses and lands that are within the City's protected watersheds, coastlines, and estuarine areas. City Structure Categories Land Use Designations Primary Centre Parks & Natural Areas Council shall: Primary Centre Uptown Primary Centre UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre Policy LU -104 Create the Parks and Natural Areas designation on the Future Land Use Map. Council intends that the Parks and Natural Areas designation will permit a range of conservation and recreational land uses permitted in the City's major regional and community parks, environmentally sensitive or significant areas, lands that are located adjacent to watercourses, lands adjacent to the City's coastlines, estuarine areas, significant archaeological and geological sites, historic sites, and cemeteries. Council intends to permit commercial recreation uses in the Parks and Natural Areas designation subject to appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw. Policy LU -105 Provide further direction with respect to land use in the City's regional and community parks through the policies contained in the Community Facilities chapter of this Plan. 126 Policy LU -106 Regulate land use in and near environmentally sensitive or significant lands as well as lands adjacent to the City's watercourses and coastlines through appropriate regulation in the City's Zoning Bylaw. Policy LU -107 Acquire lands in the City's protected watersheds and to manage these lands such that their primary function is to ensure the provision of safe, clean drinking water. Federal Transportation Council shall: Policy LU -108 Create the Federal Transportation designation and the Federal Transportation Overlay on the Future Land Use Map. Policy LU -109 The Federal Transportation designation is used to identify lands owned by the Government of Canada that are used to provide transportation infrastructure of national significance including marine, port, and airport infrastructure. Council intends that these lands are to be reserved for uses related to their federal transportation mandate although it is acknowledged that a number of accessory, ancillary, and related uses are appropriate given that a diverse range of economic activity is undertaken on these lands. Policy LU -110 The Federal Transportation Overlay designation is used to identify lands owned by the Government of Canada and managed by the Saint John Port Authority in the Uptown Waterfront. The City intends that these lands be reserved for urban mixed use development and compatible marine uses in accordance with the policies of the Uptown Primary Centre. Policy LU -111 Recognize that the Saint John Airport Authority owns a significant land base to support the operation of the Airport. The City of Saint John supports the use of these lands for purposes that are related to general air transportation. Policy LU -112 Convey to the Government of Canada and the Saint John Airport Authority the community's strong desire that industrial, commercial, and residential uses that do not have a direct relationship with the provision of air transportation not be established on the Airport lands. Policy LU -113 Convey to the Government of Canada and the Saint John Port Authority the community's strong desire to not have land -based heavy industrial or non - marine related commercial uses established on Port lands. Policy LU -114 Encourage the Saint John Port and Airport authorities to further develop their land use frameworks in a manner consistent with this Municipal Plan. The City intends to collaborate with these agencies in aligning these visions. 127 3.8 General Land Use Policies The following sections of the Plan include general policies which apply broadly to the various categories of land use across the City related to commercial, industrial and institutional development. General residential land use policies are addressed in the Neighbourhoods and Housing Chapter. With respect to the general land use policies related to commercial, industrial and institutional development, Council shall: Ancillary Development Policy LU -115 Control the development of ancillary uses by establishing maximum thresholds in the Zoning By -law as to uses which may be permitted ancillary to the main use. Office Development Policy LU -116 Except as otherwise provided in the Zoning Bylaw, restrict the gross floor area of office space outside the Primary Centres to a maximum per property of 3000 square metres. Vehicular- Oriented Uses Policy LU -117 Permit the retail sale of automobiles only in areas designated Regional Retail Centre and Commercial Corridor. Policy LU -118 Control the design, layout and other spatial standards pertaining to gas bars / service stations / vehicle repair shops and drive -thru restaurants through appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw and the following criteria: a. The use is located on a collector or arterial streets as defined on Schedule C of this Plan; b. The development is sited to minimize its effect on any adjoining residential uses; c. The site shall not be located in the Stable Residential designation; and d. Appropriate site design features including landscaping and adequate buffering from adjoining properties are incorporated into the development. Community Facilities: Policy LU -119 Recognize that the provision of child care facilities is critical to support the economy and meet the needs of families in Saint John. Council shall generally provide that child care facilities for fewer than 15 children shall be permitted in all designations in the City except the Heavy Industrial designation, subject to the specific provisions of the Zoning Bylaw. Child care facilities for 16 or more children shall generally be located in the Primary Centres, Regional Retail Centres, Commercial Corridors, Local Centres, Stable Commercial Areas, appropriate locations within the Intensifications Areas, and such other locations deemed acceptable by Common Council in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Zoning Bylaw. Policy LU -120 Encourage the reuse of existing schools and places of worship, preferably for other community uses, but always in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Zoning Bylaw. 128 Non - Conforming Uses Generally, development proposals that do not conform with land use policies set out within this Plan are not permitted. It is necessary to recognize that in a historic City like Saint John, there are uses in locations that are not necessarily appropriate using best practices in land use planning today. While it is not possible to force relocation of these facilities, the Community Planning Act does set out a process to address these 'non- conforming uses' (also known as 'grandfathered uses') as they relate to reconvening the same use. It is also important to set forth a framework for such uses to change over time to more appropriate land uses. Policy LU -121 Continue to allow non - conforming uses to carry on with their operations in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Community Planning Act however the City will encourage the relocation of incompatible uses to more appropriate locations in accordance with the overall hierarchy set out in the Plan. Public Utilities Utility facilities and buildings provide necessary transmission, support or other functions to deliver electricity, gas and other utilities to properties, and these uses are found in all areas of the City. However, not all utility functions may be appropriate in all locations. It is also necessary to ensure these buildings, built with functional processes in mind, fit well within the character of the neighbourhood that surrounds them. Policy LU -122 Regulate the location of all utility uses through the Zoning Bylaw ensuring that the impact of such uses on surrounding land uses is mitigated and minimized. Policy LU -123 Encourage communication and utility providers to utilize existing corridors established within the City wherever possible when siting new facilities. 129 3.9 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. The number of changes made to the Primary Development Area. 2. The number of Municipal Plan amendments and variances requested and approved. 3. The total amount of floor space for commercial, retail and industrial uses developed. 4. The vacancy rates for office, retail and industrial space. 5. Size of commercial developments taking place outside of Uptown and /or UNBSJ Plateau. 6. The amount of Regional Retail floor space developed within existing regional retail footprints vs. space created on new lands. 7. The number of new mixed -use buildings built per year. 8. The amount of floor space and the number of new food retailers, by Centre. 9. The number of applications made to vary the restrictions on the proximity of Convenience Commercial outside of the Centres. 10. The number of vacant lots in identified centres & the floor space built on vacant and /or underutilize properties. 11. The number of incompatible industrial facilities relocated. 12. The 5 year rolling price, supply and demand for aggregates. 130 4. URBAN DESIGN Good urban design is essential to building a successful city. It is concerned with shaping the physical form of the City and plays an important role in strengthening the community's civic image, economic potential and quality of life. This Plan recognizes the important role of urban design in city building, establishing policies to foster compact pedestrian oriented forms of development in the public and private realm. As Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John boasts world class heritage architecture which has been carefully preserved through a series of Heritage Conversation Districts. This, combined with a unique setting on the Bay of Fundy, has shaped the evolution and built form of the City. This Plan provides an urban design framework which respects the strong sense of place in Saint John, while allowing for high quality innovative design, reflective of the current time, to create enduring and memorable places in Saint John which represent the next generation of heritage for the City. This Plan aspires for the City to be a leader in championing urban design to make Saint John a more liveable City over the timeframe of the Plan. This will require City leadership and partnerships to make strategic investments in the public realm to increase the attractiveness of Intensification Areas for developers and residents. Municipal investments to prompt development in Intensification Areas could take the form of streetscape improvements, enhanced parks, housing incentives and revitalization of arts, culture, and heritage, assets. The urban transformation envisioned by this Plan requires a new focus on achieving design excellence. Saint John's dense and walkable historic core provides a model for transforming other areas of the city to ensure livable and mixed use dense neighbourhoods throughout. The Plan features a set of urban design principles which are meant to be applied City -wide for developments which require approval of Council. These establish a set of intentions on how buildings should be designed and organized to contribute to the creation of a walkable, beautiful and inviting city. The Urban Design Chapter is intended to be read in conjunction with policies in both the City Structure and the Land Use chapters of the Plan. It also sets the stage for built form provisions in the Zoning Bylaw which will ensure appropriate standards related to height, relationships between buildings and the street and other public spaces, landscaping and other site design standards. Over time it is intended that neighbourhood specific urban design guidelines become a central feature in the development of Neighbourhood Plans for the areas identified for future detailed planning as shown on Map C. 4.1 Goals The Urban Design goals are: 1. Ensure all development and significant redevelopment within the City contributes positively to tLheBstrycture nd urbanhrim of th� %yl ti�rcWSP all as _cts ?f its q1es� n. ein orce the sense o place an is nc c acter ain Jo n s erse neighbourhoods, centres and intensification areas. 3. Encourage attention to civic design and architectural quality and excellence and foster distinctive, contemporary development and redevelopment that are well- suited to their time and place. 131 4. Create inviting, accessible places and streetscapes to enhance people's safety, comfort and enjoyment and improve the human experience of the City by offering appropriate opportunities for e�romote interaction iii rrt,,diversen�n °i�C o activities in a compact, accessible setting. 6. Provide flexibility for innovative design solutions that respond to the unique conditions or features of the site context or project. 7. To celebrate our waterfronts as special public places. 4.2 The Public Realm The City of Saint John recognizes the importance of building and maintaining a unique, accessible and vibrant public realm throughout the City. The Public Realm consists of a variety of public and publicly accessible places and spaces where people interact, including public sidewalks, streets, parks, squares and open spaces. The public realm can be enhanced and defined by the elements found within it — vegetation and landscaping, benches, light poles, transit shelters and public art all work together to provide character and identity in the public realm. Creating a vibrant public realm requires high - quality design and the provision of function, comfort and safety to make the space attractive and universally accessible to everyone. Council shall: Policy UD -1 Ensure the development of a high - quality, attractive and sustainable public realm that includes the following components: a. Public streets, rights -of -way and sidewalks; b. Public parks, squares and open spaces; c. Publicly accessible natural areas; and d. Off - street trails and bikeways. Policy UD -2 Recognize that streets, rights -of -way and sidewalks are significant public places and, therefore, their design should balance their multiple roles and functions by ensuring that they: a. Safely accommodate a variety of transportation functions including walking, cycling, transit and driving and the needs of those with disabilities; b. Accommodate municipal infrastructure and utilities; c. Contribute to the greening of the City with appropriate street trees and landscaping; d. Provide for comfort and social interaction with pedestrian amenities such as planted boulevards, street furniture, lighting and patios, where appropriate. Policy LID-3 Enhance the quality, sustainability and attractiveness of public areas, especially municipal parks and squares, by: a. Designing flexible open spaces to support different activities and uses at different times of the day and all seasons of the year, including formal and informal human V96t0ating local history, public art and culture into site design and amenities; 132 c. Promoting comfort and interaction with benches, trees and other weather protection; d. Utilizing attractive and hardy landscaping to provide visual interest in all seasons; Policy UD -4 Recognize that municipal investment in the public realm can act as a catalyst for new development and significant redevelopment and intends to direct municipal investment for public realm enhancements in Intensification Areas where appropriate and feasible. Uptown Waterfront The Uptown Waterfront, as defined in the Land Use Chapter of the Plan (also refer to glossary for the definition), is recognized as a significant regional asset requiring special attention to provide a publicly accessible and high quality public realm. The public realm will provide the organizing structure for private investment in the Uptown Waterfront by identifying important public places for gathering and relaxing and by defining key points of connection and important elements in the circulation network. Council shall: Policy UD -5 Recognize that the Uptown Waterfront will be a primary focal point of civic and cultural activity within the Greater Saint John Region, and a venue for major events. The quantity and quality of public spaces to be provided along the Uptown Waterfront will recognize and support this fundamental role. Policy UD -6 Council will consider the following guidelines for the development and enhancement of the public realm of the Uptown Waterfront: a. Opportunities to provide direct public access to the water will be maximized. Areas that are currently accessible will be protected and enhanced for public use. Harbour Passage will continue to be reinforced as the spine of the public realm system. While it should be clear that Harbour Passage is a continuous trail, its character can vary in keeping with the quality and identity of the various sites it passes through. Over time, the majority of the Harbour Passage route will follow the water's edge; b. The public realm will be designed to celebrate Saint John's 'natural animators' — the Port and the tides - and encourage water - related activities; c. Important pedestrian connections from the Uptown Waterfront to key streets in Trinity Royal will be reinforced and emphasized, in particular along King, Princess, Duke, Charlotte and Sydney Streets; d. Improvements will be made to important pedestrian crossing streets, including Water and St. Patrick Streets, to enhance pedestrian safety; e. The physical interface between sites in the Waterfront, and between the Uptown Waterfront and the Uptown, will reinforce interesting and animated edges through pedestrian connections, landscaping and new buildings that present inviting faces; f. The quality and character of public spaces, landscapes and buildings in the Uptown Waterfront are essential to creating a memorable experience. All building and open space projects are designed to a very high standard and use quality materials and site furnishings to achieve durability and minimize 133 maintenance costs, while also characterizing the Waterfront as an evocative and unique place; g. A combination of inviting hard surfaced public spaces (boardwalks, recreation trails and cruise ship aprons) and soft public spaces (parks) will be provided on the Waterfront; h. Public spaces are as comfortable as possible all year round and are flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of potential programming designed to be flexible and easily adaptable to a variety of active and passive uses; i. Encourage the provision of facilities for a variety of active recreational activities, including children's playgrounds and water features, volleyball, skating and skate boarding; j. Market Slip and Loyalist Plaza will be the primary location for waterfront events, given their combined size, visibility and adjacency to Uptown and other waterfront sites. As waterfront development and activity increase, Pugsley Park and /or the Coast Guard site will play important roles in augmenting the Market Slip /Loyalist Plaza area; k. Are designed to mitigate the negative effects of the natural elements, while also developing spaces that are equally comfortable to individuals and to crowds; I. The planning and design for the development of key sites within the Uptown Waterfront may include design competitions for public spaces and public art; m. Public art will be of a scale commensurate with its setting and in locations that offer synergistic relationships with surrounding activities. The dramatic tidal fluctuations of the Saint John Harbour offer a unique opportunity to explore and communicate this natural phenomenon using public art as the medium; n. Connections — street, pedestrian, transit, and trail - to and through the Uptown Waterfront will be enhanced so that all of its parts are easily and clearly accessible to all. It is envisioned that numerous and continuous links would be created, of both a formal and informal nature. Connections to the adjoining communities will be clearly designed to minimize potential pedestrian /vehicular conflicts. These connections will be designed to accommodate a range of active transportation modes, including public transit; and o. The existing city grid of streets and infrastructure will be extended where necessary to allow for new development and to provide important new connections to and through the Uptown Waterfront. 134 4.3 Urban Design and Built Form 4.3.1 General Urban Design Principles Council shall: Policy UD -7 Establish a height and built form framework in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure the intent of the City Structure is implemented for new development. Policy UD -8 Adopt the following set of General Urban Design Principles to generally ensure that all major development proposals evaluated by Council will achieve a high quality of design appropriate to the context in which they are located. Council may require an urban design brief be prepared by applicants to support the review of applications to rezone property for major development proposals. Policy UD -9 Ensure all development proposals generally conform with the following General Urban Design Principles: a. That new development respect and reinforce the existing and planned context in which it is located through setbacks, landscaping, pedestrian entrances, building massing, architectural style and building materials. Specifically the built form of new developments will be designed to achieve the following objectives for specific areas of the City: i. In Stable Community Areas, as identified in the City Structure Map, new development will be designed to respect and reinforce the physical character of the established neighbourhood as set out in Policy UD -10; ii. In the Primary Centre and Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, as identified in the City Structure Map, new development will be located and organized to frame and support the surrounding public realm and massed to fit harmoniously into the surrounding environment, including appropriate transitions to areas of lower intensity development, as set out in Policy UD -11; iii. Special considerations are established for the Uptown Waterfront as set out in Policy UD -13; iv. In Employment Areas, as defined in the City Structure Map, uses will be located and organized as set out in Policy UD -15 to provide functional buildings that foster alternative transportation modes and limit any impacts on nearby Stable Community Areas; and v. In Rural Areas, as defined in the City Structure Map, new development where permitted shall be rural in character and conserve and strengthen the rural context in which it is situated as set out in Policy UD -16 of this Plan. b. Designing sites to incorporate existing natural features and topography; c. Designing sites to protect, create and /or enhance important view corridors to the water or landmark sites or buildings; d. Incorporating innovations in built form, aesthetics and building function to encourage high quality contemporary design that will form the next generation of heritage; 135 e. Where appropriate and desirable, encourage human scale pedestrian oriented development particularly at the street level; f. Designing sites, buildings and adjacent public spaces as complete concepts with integrated functions; g. Using quality, durable building materials and a consistent level of design and detail for all elements of the building; h. Designing for visual interest by incorporating landscaping, local history, public art and /or culture into sites and buildings; i. Directing higher rise buildings to areas where they already exist and are sensitive to neighbourhood or heritage contexts; j. Encouraging sustainability in design by: vi. Utilizing reused, recycled, renewable or local building materials where possible; vii. Using green building or neighbourhood standards; viii. Designing for energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy; ix. Designing for water conservation and on -site storm water management; x. Promoting the conservation and adaptive re -use of existing buildings and design sites to retain mature trees; xi. Designing sites and buildings to work with, rather than against, the natural environment by designing according to the topography, hydrology, ecology and natural drainage patterns of the site and taking advantage of passive solar gain and natural light; and xii. Using native vegetation for landscaping where appropriate. k. Designing sites and buildings according to `Crime Prevention through Environment Design' (CPTED) principles to promote safety and security, in balance with other urban design objectives. 4.3.2 Urban Design Principles for Stable Community Areas Stable Community Areas are intended to grow and evolve organically through minor change in keeping with the existing neighbourhood context. The following urban design policies will apply for redevelopment or new development within Stable Community Areas where Council approval is required. Council shall: Policy UD -10 Ensure that new development and redevelopment in Stable Community Areas shall be designed to respect and reinforce the physical character and uses of the surrounding neighbourhood, paying particular attention to: a. The local pattern of lots, streets and blocks; b. The size and configuration of lots; c. The building types of nearby properties; d. The heights, scale and massing of nearby properties; 136 e. The setback of buildings from the street; f. The pattern of rear and side yard setbacks; and g. Sensitive integration with and enhancement of adjacent heritage properties. 4.3.3 Urban Design Principles for Neighbourhood Intensification Areas and Primary Centres The City Structure Chapter of this Plan describes the overall vision for the Primary Centres and Neighbourhood Intensification Areas. Within these areas significant growth and change will be targeted as a catalyst for transforming these areas into vibrant mixed use neighbourhoods where people can live, work, play and learn. Ensuring excellence and innovative design is crucial to enhancing the quality of life and place in these areas. The Plan includes general and neighbourhood specific urban design guidelines as a key consideration in evaluating developments in these areas. Council shall: Policy UD -11 Ensure that new development and significant redevelopment in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas and Primary Centres will be designed to enhance the surrounding public realm and to complement the existing context while providing opportunities for intensification, where appropriate. In particular, development will demonstrate due consideration to: a. Designing sites, building and accesses with people as the primary focus and with generally consistent setbacks; b. Creating animated, active streetscapes with interesting fagades and human -scale buildings and setbacks particularly at the street level. Within the Uptown and other urban intensification areas, generally development should establish a human scale street wall respecting a 1:1 ratio between the street wall height of the building and the width of the street; c. Where appropriate, ensure heritage streetscapes and Heritage Conservation Districts are reinforced with compatibly scaled and designed developments; d. Providing active ground floor uses and avoiding blank fagades. In particular along commercial streets in the Uptown Primary Centre, commercial uses shall be strongly encouraged at the ground floor of buildings; e. Creating appropriate transitions in scale to areas of lower intensity; f. Defining appropriate standards for bulk, above grade step -backs and separation distances of buildings to ensure adequate street level conditions with respect to minimizing wind and maximizing sun penetration and sky exposure; g. Generally locating building entrances to connect directly to the public street network; h. Designing sites and buildings that are barrier -free, convenient and have clear signage; i. Promoting pedestrian comfort with appropriate landscaping, furniture, weather protection and buffers from vehicular traffic; j. Designing for active and alternative modes of transportation by providing convenient access to buildings from transit stops, by including bicycle parking and 137 end -of -trip facilities where appropriate, and mid -block pedestrian connections where possible; k. Designing sites and buildings to facilitate human activity and interaction by including patios, courtyards, plazas and sidewalk amenity space wherever possible to enliven the public or semi - public realm; I. Designing sites and buildings for visual interest and maximum use in different seasons and at different times of the day; m. Including a variety of uses in buildings and /or sites to allow for a diversity of uses and users; and n. Encouraging shared elements between uses such as parking, entrances, landscaping and amenity space. Policy UD -12 Ensure that in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas and Primary Centres, new development and significant redevelopment will locate and organize vehicle parking, access and service areas to minimize their impact on surrounding properties and the public realm by: a. Sharing services, including public and private driveways, parking and service areas wherever possible; b. Sharing and minimizing the width of driveways and curb cuts across public sidewalks; c. Providing vehicle service areas within buildings where possible; d. Providing underground parking where possible; e. Generally locating surface parking to the side or rear of buildings; f. Buffering and screening surface parking, outdoor storage, loading and other service areas from adjacent properties and the public realm; g. Integrating service connections, vents, mechanical rooms and equipment within the architectural treatment of the building where possible; and h. Ensuring that parking areas, lobbies, service areas and stairwells are well -lit and visible from other locations. 138 4.3.4 Urban Design Principles for the Uptown Waterfront Waterfront property is an invaluable and limited asset within the Uptown that will be reserved for those activities that offer the greatest positive impact by reinforcing the Harbour as a special place in the City and by strengthening its relationship with the Uptown. Achieving high quality development is fundamental to the success of the Saint John waterfront. The policies of this Plan seek to ensure that the built environment is contemporary and forward - looking in its architectural expression, yet respectful of Saint John's heritage in its approach to scale and use of materials. The following urban design principles will guide the City's review of development proposals within the Uptown Waterfront. Council shall: Policy UD -13 Intend that waterfront locations within the Uptown Waterfront will be reserved for those uses that require, or benefit from, a waterfront setting. In considering waterfront development projects, Council shall give consideration to the following built form principles: a. Wherever appropriate, development proposals will demonstrate opportunities for the site to be intensified overtime. The objective is to promote the highest and best use of waterfront lands so that a critical mass of activity is achieved on the Uptown Waterfront; b. A mix of uses will be provided in new development proposed for a larger site(s), and /or in new development where more than one building is proposed. Appropriate uses include: residential, business or commercial, institutional, port - related, and community facility or public use; c. Active public uses will be located at grade in new buildings to provide an animated edge to public areas and an enhanced pedestrian atmosphere. Wherever possible, these uses will front onto Harbour Passage and pedestrian promenades to enhance their animation and safety; d. The provision of retail, restaurant and other service - oriented uses within the Uptown Waterfront will be balanced with and complementary to those of Uptown; e. That residential development within the Uptown Waterfront will provide a variety of housing options that are attractive to people of all ages and incomes; f. New uses in the Uptown Waterfront will contribute to and support the continued success of the cruise ship industry, balanced with other urban design objectives including the desire for public access to the waterfront. This Plan recognizes that the presence of cruise ships in the Uptown Waterfront is an important part of the Saint John waterfront experience and will continue to be accommodated; g. That new buildings will be strategically positioned to frame significant outdoor public spaces, helping to reduce the impact of waterfront climatic conditions, including sun, wind and fog; h. That important views to and from the Inner Harbour will be maintained and enhanced by organizing new development to frame existing views and sight lines, towards the Harbour as well as back into the City, and to open up new views and sight lines not currently available; 139 i. That new development incorporates appropriate transitions in building heights, stepping down to the water's edge; j. Landmark or iconic buildings will be developed at strategic locations throughout the Uptown Waterfront. Building elements in these locations will serve as evocative waterfront icons, identifiable from the water or from the City; k. The architectural vernacular of Uptown Saint John will be respected in development along the Waterfront, through compatibility in character and quality, materials, massing and scale; I. New or expanded small craft facilities will be an important part of the public realm and movement network within the Uptown Waterfront; m. Provides uses that draw or serve the public, at many times of day and across seasons; n. Has 'active building faces' achieved by locating public and /or private uses capable of animating public routes and spaces; o. Provides or protects for multiple publicly accessible routes through the site in current and future phases of development; and p. Is highly transparent in nature in order to permit views from the street side through to the Harbour side. Policy UD -14 Encourage new waterfront development to actively promote environmental sustainability, taking into account changes in sea level caused by climate change. New development will also demonstrate leadership in the reduction of greenhouse emissions, and sustainable planning, design, building systems and construction practices. 4.3.5 Urban Design Principles for Employment Areas New development and significant redevelopment in Employment Areas will be designed to maintain a human scale and provide functional and convenient access for all modes of transportation, while limiting impacts on adjacent community areas. Council shall: Policy UD -15 Ensure that new development and significant redevelopment in Employment Areas will be designed to: a. Allow for a variety of lot sizes and building sizes to accommodate a wide range of employment uses; b. Maximize the placement of buildings along the frontage of lots facing public street and provide appropriate landscaping; c. Designing buildings, streetscapes and lighting at a human scale; d. Limit surface parking between the front of a building and the public street or sidewalk; e. Design safe and direct access to buildings for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users by providing walkways from the public street, transit stops, and parking areas to 140 main building entrances and including bike parking and end -of -trip facilities, where appropriate, and mid -block connections where possible; f. Design sites and building accesses that are barrier -free, convenient and have clear signage; and g. Buffer and screen surface parking, outdoor storage, loading and other service areas from adjacent properties and the public realm. 4.3.6 Urban Design Principles for Rural Settlement and Rural Residential Areas Council shall: Policy UD -16 Ensure that where new development and significant redevelopment in Rural Settlement and Rural Residential Areas is permitted, it will be compatible with the existing character of the area and respect and enhance the surrounding natural environment. 4.4 Building Urban Design Awareness Council shall: Policy UD -17 Encourage an open discussion and exchange of ideas between developers, design professionals, the public, City staff, Common Council and the Planning Advisory Committee in considering design elements of applications for new development and significant redevelopment. Policy UD -18 Ensure precinct -based urban design guidelines are developed as a required component of Neighbourhood Plans. These will support a form -based approach to Neighbourhood Plans. Policy UD -19 Investigate the potential for a design review process and new tools for design and form based planning including urban design awards, design charettes, and design competitions for major public projects. Policy UD -20 Provide the capacity for the development or the addition of an urban design function within the City Planning Department. 141 4.5 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Completion of Urban Design Principles for the City 2. Higher quality of design, increased public satisfaction 3. Resources for streetscaping improvements, public realm investments 4. Number of sidewalk cafes and events 5. Assessment values 6. Amount of private sector investment 142 S. NEIGHBOURHOODS and HOUSING The importance of supporting and enhancing neighbourhoods is central to the viability and well -being of Saint John. Neighbourhoods play a key role in the everyday lives of residents, providing a sense of place and identity for those who live there today and for those who move there in the future. Ensuring neighbourhoods evolve with the changing needs of the community is critical for their health and vitality, as it allows residents to find the type of housing and support services they and their family need as they move through different life- stages. Having access to a broad range of affordable, quality housing in every neighbourhood allows families and friends to stay close to one another, despite their changing needs. For residents, the type of neighbourhood they live in often serves as a defining character for the entire community as a place to live, work and play. Saint John is a city of distinct residential neighbourhoods, characterized by their history, location and in particular, the housing styles, types and tenure available. To enhance and maintain the live- ability of the City of Saint John, it is critical to enhance the quality of existing housing and provide an appropriate range of housing types in all neighbourhoods. Without renewal and investment overtime to meet the changing needs of residents, neighbourhoods risk losing the people that make them vibrant places to call home. In terms of providing for all income levels, this Plan recognizes the shared responsibility all levels of government and community agencies have in providing housing. The City of Saint John will continue to work with the Provincial and Federal governments to ensure there is access to a range of affordable housing types and tenure, to meet the needs of the Saint John community. The City will also continue to support local housing agencies and the community in the provision of good quality housing that is appropriate in type and tenure for residents. 5.1 Goals The Housing goals are: 1. To provide for an appropriate range of housing types, unit sizes, affordability and tenure arrangements at various densities and scales that meet the needs and income levels of current and future residents of Saint John. 2. To promote building designs and densities for new housing which efficiently use land, resources, infrastructure and public facilities, and support and contribute to safe, vibrant and pedestrian - friendly streetscapes and neighbourhoods. 3. To support opportunities to increase the quality of available housing, particularly with respect to the existing rental stock available in core neighbourhoods. 4. To ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing and housing for residents with special needs is available and integrated into the community, where appropriate. 5. To direct the majority of new housing development to the Primary Development Area where infrastructure and public facilities are or will be available. 6. To support stable residential neighbourhoods and ensure that new development and redevelopment maintains and enhances the character of these existing neighbourhoods. 143 5.2 General Housing Policies Council shall: Policy HS -1 Monitor the land supply for housing across the City, to ensure an adequate supply of land is available to meet the housing needs of all residents. Policy HS -2 Direct the majority of new housing starts in the City to the Primary Development Area, in order to maximize existing investments in infrastructure and support the development of a more integrated transportation network. Policy HS -3 Support the development of a wide range of housing types and forms of tenure in Intensification Areas to redevelop and revitalize these neighbourhoods, in accordance with good land use planning principles. Policy HS -4 Develop neighbourhood specific Urban Design Guidelines in Intensification Areas, through the creation of Neighbourhood Plans, to ensure appropriate integration of new development and redevelopment. Policy HS -5 Encourage the provision of student housing in close proximity to educational institutions and major transit routes. Policy HS -6 Promote the inclusion of sustainable ('green') design elements in new residential development, where appropriate and where possible. Policy HS -7 Monitor housing tenure, particularly in the Intensification Areas, to ensure a balanced supply of rental and homeownership opportunities. Policy HS -8 Encourage the Province and the Federal government to support measures to increase the quality of the existing housing stock such as the creation of targeted incentive programs, where appropriate. Policy HS -9 Support measures to ensure housing is well maintained for the safety and welfare of residents and for the benefit of the surrounding neighbourhood. Policy HS -10 Continue to work with the Province of New Brunswick to obtain additional powers to enforce all municipal bylaws, particularly those dealing with land use and the maintenance of buildings and properties. Policy HS -11 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the required residential lot size, lot frontage, and associated off - street parking requirements in the Zoning Bylaw for lands within the Primary Development Area to encourage a broader range of housing forms and tenure, in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood. 144 5.3 Affordable Housing Affordable housing is the core responsibility of the Federal and Provincial governments however the City will support the provision of affordable housing whenever possible. Council shall: Policy HS -12 Pursue the opportunity to partner with senior levels of government and interested agencies to develop a housing strategy for the City to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing is available in appropriate locations and integrated with existing housing. Policy HS -13 Encourage the location of affordable housing throughout the Primary Development Area, particularly in close proximity to shopping, community facilities, and existing or potential public transit routes. Policy HS -14 Encourage housing providers to build affordable housing using available incentives, when possible, such as tax rebates, grants or subsidies. Policy HS -15 Encourage housing providers to build market -based affordable housing and integrate subsidized affordable housing units into larger market -based development projects, wherever possible. Policy HS -16 Work with housing agencies to monitor affordable housing development to ensure there is an adequate supply, tenure and range of quality affordable housing and ensure it is properly maintained overtime so that it always adds value to neighbourhoods. 5.4 Supportive Housing Council shall: Policy HS -17 Encourage the provision of housing for people with special needs, including senior citizens, group homes and shelters, to integrate into suitable residential areas of the City, in close proximity to major transit routes, community facilities and needed services. Policy HS -18 Facilitate the integration of housing for people with special needs into all residential areas, subject to compliance with regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to: a. Maintain an adequate separation distance between supportive housing developments; b. Maintain compatibility and character with the host residential neighbourhood; and c. Ensure the adequate provision of on -site parking and landscaping. 145 5.5 Boarding and Rooming Houses Council shall: Policy HS -19 Permit boarding and rooming houses in suitable residential areas of the City, where they are in close proximity to major transit routes, community facilities and services and where they are compliant with regulations in the Zoning bylaw to: Ensure�compa 1pllly anedpc�iara °ced�wi Rict�ieioWeesbcPeria�eig��our�iodhouses; c. Ensure the quality of the housing is safe and appropriate; and d. Ensure the adequate provision of on -site parking and landscaping. 5.6 Secondary Suites and Garden Suites Council shall: Policy HS -20 Permit the provision of Secondary Suites and Garden Suites in appropriate residential areas within the Primary Development Area, subject to appropriate regulatory requirements as described in the Zoning Bylaw. Policy HS -21 Permit the provision of Secondary Suites and Garden Suites as -of -right in Intensification Areas, subject to regulatory requirements in the Zoning Bylaw, to increase the diversity of housing choice, increase the affordability of the rental stock, and increase residential density. 5.7 Home Occupations Council shall: Policy HS -22 Permit home occupations in residential areas which are operated by a resident of the dwelling, subject to appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw and the following criteria: a. The business is generally not visible from the street except for permitted signage and does not affect the primary residential character of the property or the surrounding neighbourhood; b. There is no outside storage of material or equipment; c. The business use(s) is of such a nature that it does not involve excessive truck use for the purpose of goods movement; d. Business signage is unobtrusive and appropriate in scale and character for the residential area; and e. The business use(s) do not produce smoke, dust, fumes, or noise to an extent that it would create incompatibility with adjacent or nearby residential uses. 146 5.8 Daycare Facilities Council shall: Policy HS -23 Permit small - scale, in -home neighbourhood daycare in all residential neighbourhoods which is operated by a resident of the dwelling, for a maximum of 15 children, subject to compliance with regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure: a. The use is secondary to the permitted residential use; b. Compatibility with the surrounding land use; c. Appropriate parking and signage requirements; and d. Appropriate accommodation and landscaping, including fencing. 5.9 Home -based Tourism Accommodation Council shall: Policy HS -24 Permit small -scale tourist accommodations such as bed and breakfasts which are operated by a resident of the dwelling, subject to provisions established in the Zoning Bylaw and the following criteria: a. The use is secondary to the permitted residential use; b. Appropriate parking and signage requirements are provided; and c. The use is compatible with the surrounding land uses. 5.10 Manufactured Homes / Mini Homes Council shall: Policy HS -25 Ensure manufactured homes, separately located or in manufactured home parks intended for permanent year -round occupancy, are accepted as a legitimate and needed form of housing in the City of Saint John and that they are integrated into residential areas so that their inhabitants have access to all the facilities, services and amenities provided to residents of conventional homes. Policy HS -26 Ensure that manufactured homes, whether located on an individual lot or within a manufactured home park, intended for permanent year -round occupancy are to be: a. Developed in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning By -law; b. Appropriately integrated with other forms of residential development; c. Erected on lots of an appropriate size, generally compatible for the neighbourhood in which the manufactured home is to be situated; d. Subject to similar setbacks as those for conventional dwellings; e. Erected such that the manufactured home unit or units on any individual lot are for the habitation of only one family; f. Erected such that a permanent closed -in foundation or suitable skirting is installed at the time of erection or immediately thereafter; and g. Allowed to continue in use, once permitted, in the same way as conventional homes and not subject to any annual review. 147 5.11 Vacant Residential Properties Council shall: Policy HS -27 Encourage property owners of vacant properties within residential neighbourhoods in the Intensification Areas to landscape the property so it positively contributes to the surrounding neighbourhood. Policy HS -28 Discourage the use of vacant properties within residential neighbourhoods in the Intensification Areas for surface parking however where permitted by Council, surface parking shall only be granted as a temporary use. Policy HS -29 Support initiatives which create and enhance neighbourhood identity and a better sense of place for residents and the community. .• 5.12 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Number of condo units added or removed from the inventory. 2. Number of rental units added or removed from the inventory. 3. Number of affordable housing units added or removed from the inventory. 4. Increase or decrease in rate of homeownership in the Intensification Areas. 149 6. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Saint John has hundreds of years of history of being a major commercial and industrial centre of national prominence. The City's economy has always been centred on the City's harbour and its location where the St. John River and the Kennebecasis River meet the Bay of Fundy. These major waterways have always created opportunities for trade. Today, the City's seaport, combined with railways, highways, and a national airport continue to create economic opportunities for the community. Saint John is the centre of a regional economy which provides employment not just for residents of the City, but for those who live in a large area stretching far beyond the City's boundaries. The economy continues to be rooted in products that are moved by sea including potash, petroleum products, and forestry products but has always been broadly diversified in many sectors. In fact, research conducted for PlanSJ confirms that Saint John has one of the most diversified small city economies in Canada with significant concentrations of employment in many different industries. This diverse range of economic activity has led to a growing service sector and burgeoning health and IT clusters, which is creating further opportunities for growth in the community. The economic analysis and projections prepared as part of the PIanSJ process call for continued economic growth for Saint John over the planning period. Saint John's economic strength in future - oriented industries such as professional services and business services and other growing industries such as health care provide Saint John with an excellent foundation to pursue enhanced economic prosperity through the planning period. Residents of Saint John have clearly indicated that future economic prosperity must provide a platform to enhance quality of life for residents of the City. Indeed, the economic success of the community will require that existing residents commit to making Saint John their home. An aging workforce and growing labour force will also result in an intensified demand for immigrants from around the world to choose Saint John as a place to earn their living and, more importantly, a place to live. This Municipal Plan aims to make Saint John a place where people want to live and a place where businesses want to establish and be successful. The Plan places significant emphasis on quality of life, which will be the single most important community asset in attracting new businesses and new workers. The Plan designates a range of places within the City for commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses so that there is an excellent physical location for each different type of employment land use. Finally, this chapter of the Plan identifies a range of policies that will be pursued by the City of Saint John to achieve long term economic prosperity. These policies will work in conjunction with the other policies of the Plan to create a supportive environment for economic growth and to achieve the City's objective of making Saint John a 'complete community'. 150 6.1 Goals The Economic Prosperity goals are: 1. To support the development of a strong, diversified, and resilient economy. 2. To enhance the quality of life and the quality of the urban environment in Saint John to support economic prosperity. 3. To support the development of the City's economy by working to expand the resident population and workforce. 4. To identify appropriate locations for a wide range of employment uses to support economic growth while enhancing quality of life in the community. 5. To work cooperatively with the City's economic development partners and all stakeholders in the community to: a. Project a positive image of Saint John as a place to live and as a place to do business. b. To become more entrepreneurial and to take responsibility for our economic prosperity and our future success. c. Create and implement economic development strategies that support Plan SJ, strengthen the local economy, and enhance quality of life in the community. 6.2 Improving Quality of Life Technology and transportation have made the world a small place in recent decades. Entire industries have been created that involve the development and transformation of information, and employment in these industries can be located almost anywhere in the world. Similarly, the ease of moving people and products from one part of the world to another creates further opportunities for economic and employment growth as the physical location of jobs becomes more flexible. Successful communities have realized that employment growth and prosperity is now inextricably linked to the quality of life offered by a community. One of the most significant factors involved in a businesses' decision on where to locate is the quality of built space and urban form to support their business, housing, recreational amenities, the availability of arts and culture, and other elements of urban life. Similarly, in an economy where labour is scarce and cities must complete for a limited pool of workers, employees will have more freedom to choose where they want to live and this will strongly influence the location decisions made by employers. Policy EP -1 Council shall recognize the critical role that quality of life plays in the City's economic prosperity. The City shall ensure that its land use planning decisions balance the need for economic development with the community's desire to further enhance community quality of life. 151 6.3 Economic Diversification The Saint John economy has historically been firmly rooted in manufacturing and industrial development. Shipbuilding, petroleum refining, forestry - related industries, and food processing have historically employed large numbers of people in Saint John and those they have also created significant wealth in the community. In recent decades, Saint John's economy has been in transition as some traditional industries have been in decline, but new industries are now emerging. The economy is diversifying and Saint John has a number of natural strengths which can provide long -term economic prosperity for the City and its residents. The Municipal Plan has a role to play in ensuring that the City has a diversified and prosperous economy. In addition to enhancing quality of life in the community, it is important that appropriate land is supplied for a diverse range of employment uses. The City plays an active role in supplying the land necessary to accommodate economic growth through the work of Saint John Industrial Parks Limited. This Plan calls for the creation of an Industrial Parks Master Plan for the industrial parks to maximize the City's opportunities for growth. The City also plays a significant role in the delivery of economic development services. In conjunction with partners at the regional, provincial, and federal level, the City helps create the conditions for economic growth in a diversity of sectors. Policy EP -2 Council shall ensure that an appropriate inventory of land is available in the City of Saint John to support the development of a wide range of employment uses. Policy EP -3 Through the work of Saint John Industrial Parks Limited, monitor the supply of industrial land in the City of Saint John and where possible, ensure that an appropriate inventory of land is available for the diverse range of industrial uses proposed by this Plan. Policy EP -4 Council encourages Saint John Industrial Parks Limited to create an Industrial Parks Service Plan that includes the following: a. The identification of appropriate locations within the areas identified for industrial development in this Plan for a wide range of industrial land uses; b. The identification of lands most appropriately suited to industrial expansion in the future and strategies to acquire the land required to accommodate future growth; c. The development of strategies to ensure that the necessary transportation and servicing infrastructure is provided to accommodate anticipated industrial growth in an efficient and sustainable manner; d. Urban design and streetscape guidelines to enhance the appearance of Saint John's industrial parks including private properties within the parks; and e. Strategies to market Saint John and its industrial parks as an ideal location for new industrial investment. Policy EP -5 Council shall work with its partners in economic development to develop appropriate programs, strategies, and initiatives to encourage and support the further diversification of the Saint John economy. 152 6.4 Sustainable Economic Development The City of Saint John is committed to sustainability. One of the pillars of sustainable development is the development of an economy that supports the community and its residents. The imperative of developing a prosperous economy, however, must not come at the cost of compromising our environment and our social and cultural resources. In fact, the City takes the position that balancing our economic development objectives with the other elements of sustainability will help make the community more prosperous overtime. A major element of economic sustainability is ensuring that the City of Saint John provides a stable and predictable environment for business to succeed. The City's commitment to PlanSJ and to the provision of effective and efficient municipal services is important in achieving economic prosperity. Policy EP -6 Council shall recognize that economic development is an important component of sustainable development but that land use planning decisions must also be balanced against environmental, social, cultural and fiscal impacts. Policy EP -7 Council recognizes that a strong commitment to the implementation of PlanSJ and the delivery of efficient and effective municipal services and infrastructure are important to foster community economic prosperity. 6.5 Workforce Development Saint John's future economic prosperity will rely, in large measure, on the availability of a labour force sufficient in size and bearing the appropriate set of skills to meet the needs of employers. Saint John is no different than any other community in Canada in the simple reality that the population is aging and there are fewer young people to assume the jobs left behind as people retire. It will be critically important that Saint John's young receive the education and training that they require to enter the local workforce. It will also be important to encourage our youth to choose Saint John as the place that they want to call home and we will also have to be aggressive in encouraging people from beyond our community to move to Saint John. Policy EP -8 Council shall strongly encourage the Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada, and local post- secondary institutions to develop appropriate programs of education and training to ensure that Saint John's youth are prepared to enter the local workforce. Policy EP -9 Council shall work with other levels of government and its other partners in economic development to encourage immigration to Saint John to ensure that the community has the workforce that it requires to further develop the community's economy. Policy EP -10 Council recognizes the important role that the City of Saint John plays in welcoming new immigrants to the community through the delivery of the municipality's programs and services. The City intends to ensure that its services are sensitive and responsive to the needs of new residents of the community. 153 6.6 An Economic Development Strategy for Saint John PlanSJ establishes a bold new vision for Saint John. The Directions established in the Plan focus the community to work together to proactively create a more urban Saint John focused on enhancing the quality of life of the City's residents. The economy creates the personal and community wealth necessary to grow the community and improve the infrastructure and services provided by the City of Saint John. A robust economy is a pre- requisite to fully realizing PlanSJ. The economic policies used to advance Saint John's economy must be fully integrated with the land use planning process and also the municipal planning that advances the delivery of all of the essential services and infrastructure required to support the success of the city. Saint John requires a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy supported by the City and all of its partners in economic development to provide a clear path toward future prosperity. Policy EP -11 Council shall work with its partners in economic development to establish an Economic Development Strategy that advances the Vision and Directions established in PlanSJ. The Economic Development Strategy will include, but shall not be limited to the following topics: a. Establishing clear economic goals and objectives, policies, and investment priorities that support the City's economic prosperity, enhance community quality of life, and implement PlanSJ; b. Providing policy direction which advances community economic diversification and supports the development of growing economic sectors including the development of industries related to: i. Green technology; ii. Health Sciences; iii. Education and learning; iv. Information and Communication Technology; v. Arts and Culture vi. The energy sector; vii. Advanced manufacturing; and viii. Other industries complementary to existing established uses in Saint John. c. Developing strategies to attract new investment to the community and ensure that homegrown industries are retained and expanded over time; d. Identifying and implementing programs to ensure that the City has an available and skilled workforce to support economic prosperity; e. Strengthening working relationships with the Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada, neighbouring municipalities and the Cities of Fredericton and Moncton, to continue to develop a strong provincial economy; f. Strengthening working relationships with other local partners in economic development including Enterprise Saint John, Saint John Waterfront Development, Uptown Saint John, the Saint John Board of Trade, the Saint John Airport Authority and the Saint John Port Authority; 154 g. Encouraging the development of a culture of entrepreneurship in the community and the supporting the establishment and ongoing success of locally -owned businesses; and h. Establishes mechanisms to measure progress and implementation of the economic development strategy and to share these results with the community on an ongoing basis. 155 6.7 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. The adoption of a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in the short -term (0 -5 years), f�olJIhei uenc°w oc qy Tor reviie cPlan mic Development Strategy. 3. The adoption of the Industrial Parks Master Plan in the short -term (0 -5 years), following the adoption of the Plan. 4. The annual vacancy rate for office, retail, industrial and general commercial space. 5. The rate and amount of new development and /or renovation of new employment land across the City. 6. The rate of change for unemployment on a yearly basis. 7. The number of community associations, business improvement areas, and other community enterprise organizations involved in economic development. 8. The number of applications for development incentives. 9. The number of incompatible uses re- located. 10. The number of applications for development in each intensification area. 156 7. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT and ENERGY The natural environment provides the elements we require for life — air, water, food and fuel. Human well -being and economic and social activity depend on a healthy natural environment. Aside from the intrinsic benefits of a healthy natural environment, it also provides a variety of important aesthetic, social and cultural benefits to a community. Development and human activity is placing increasing pressure on the natural environment, and we need to better understand the relationships between our community and our environment in order to protect and restore the ecosystem functions on which we depend. The way we design, construct and use the built environment has significant impacts on our local and global natural environment. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility and partnerships must be developed between individuals, the business community, all levels of government and other organizations and agencies to achieve true, lasting sustainability. Saint John's natural environment is a defining feature of the city. The Bay of Fundy, the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers, our extensive coastlines, unique geology and vast forested areas contribute to make Saint John one of the most environmentally diverse cities in Atlantic Canada. Residents of the City expect that PlanSJ will address environmental issues such as air quality, water quality, and climate change to as they significantly impact quality of life. One of the foundations of the Municipal Plan is a commitment to an integrated planning approach to promote a more sustainable future. Land use, the built environment, infrastructure, the natural environment, and financial considerations must be fully interconnected to create a sustainable Saint John. Building on the PlanSJ Directions and Vision, the Municipal Plan concentrates residential and employment growth and change within the Primary Development Area in order to maximize the use of existing services and preserve the natural environment within and outside the Primary Development Area. 7.1 Goals The Natural Environment and Energy goals are: 1. Improve the quality of our natural environment by improving air quality, water quality, and minimizing our impact on climate change. 2. Promote the principles of progressive urban planning to support environmental sustainability. 3. Minimize local contributions to air pollution through the creation and enhancement of Saint John as a complete and compact community. 4. Protect the City's water resources to ensure accessible clean and safe drinking water. 5. Work with other levels of government and community partners to restore degraded natural environments. 6. Encourage local food production in forms such as community gardens and small -scale urban agriculture. 7. Continue to reduce the City's energy usage and environmental footprint. 8. Mitigate local contributions of greenhouse gases and plan to adapt to the potential impacts of climate change. 157 7.2 Environmental Sustainability The City of Saint John aims to demonstrate leadership in sustainable development. True sustainability requires significant changes to the way we build the city and the way people lead their daily lives. The City needs to lead by providing the infrastructure and the municipal regulation required to make our community more sustainable. We need to use land and infrastructure wisely. We need to build a more compact city. We need infrastructure that allows people to move around on foot, on bicycle, and on public transit. People and businesses in Saint John need to change the way they interact with their environment every day. We all have to work together to reduce our environmental footprint. This Municipal Plan promotes the principles of progressive urban planning to support environmental sustainability and ultimately achieve a balanced relationship between the built environment and the natural environment. Council shall: Policy NE -1 Consider environmental sustainability in all municipal decisions. Policy NE -2 Support the continued implementation of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. Policy NE -3 Support initiatives that result in 'green' buildings and neighbourhoods such as LEED and LEED -ND certification in both the public and private sector. 7.3 Air Quality The City of Saint John is committed to minimizing local contributions to air pollution through the creation and enhancement of complete and compact communities, offering a better range of transportation choices, providing support for corporate initiatives, and increasing public awareness and education of provincial and Federal government clean air initiatives. Given the significant industrial base in Saint John, it is also important that industry be carefully sited within the community and that the City work with senior levels of government to ensure that air emissions from industry is minimized. Council shall: Policy NE -4 Encourage reduced automobile emissions by promoting a more compact, mixed -use development pattern and making walking, cycling and transit use viable transportation choices. Policy NE -5 Work with the Province of New Brunswick, industry and other agencies to develop and implement clean air initiatives, such as emissions reduction. Policy NE -6 Carefully consider the appropriate location for and potential impact of heavy or noxious industry when considering development applications. Policy NE -7 Reduce emissions from City infrastructure, including buildings and fleets, through corporate purchasing and operating policies that support the Municipal Energy Efficiency Program. 158 7.4 Water Quality Saint John is situated next to important salt and fresh water bodies and there are a number of streams, lakes, and wetlands located within the City's boundaries. Protection of the City's water resources, improving water quality in our watercourses, and promoting water conservation are important community priorities. Saint John relies on a surface watershed for its drinking water and the provision of clean and safe drinking water is critically important to the future of our city. The City of Saint John works closely with other levels of government and with community partners to protect the quality of our water. Council shall: Policy NE -8 Limit un- serviced development to protect groundwater for existing well users and to promote more compact urban settlement. Policy NE -9 Enhance groundwater assessment requirements and septic suitability analysis for un- serviced development in Saint John through appropriate regulations in the Subdivision By -Law. Policy NE -10 Carefully control industrial development, petroleum storage and other uses with the potential to contaminate groundwater. Policy NE -11 Protect environmentally sensitive areas including watercourses and wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains and appropriately restrict development near these features. Policy NE -12 Support the implementation of the Safe Clean Drinking Water Strategy to improve drinking water safety and quality by seeking Federal and Provincial support. Policy NE -13 Establish provisions in the Zoning By -law to protect the Loch Lomond and Spruce Lake municipal watersheds by prohibiting development, petroleum storage or other uses with the potential to contaminate the City's drinking water supply and also work to prevent illegal dumping in the City's watersheds. Policy NE -14 Acquire land within the watersheds that provide the City's municipal drinking water supply, when possible. Policy NE -15 Complete the Harbour Clean -Up Program, which will provide full wastewater treatment in serviced areas of the City. Policy NE -16 Continue the separation of combined storm and sanitary sewer systems. Policy NE -17 Provide and encourage public access to water bodies such as the Bay of Fundy and the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers and lakes where appropriate and where access and public use will not negatively impact riparian or aquatic ecosystems. Policy NE -18 Establish provisions in the Zoning By -law to protect riparian areas by requiring appropriate setbacks from watercourses and wetlands and encouraging the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of vegetation in riparian areas. Policy NE -19 Work with the Province of New Brunswick to improve the process of identifying, designating and protecting provincially significant wetlands. Policy NE -20 Protect provincially significant wetlands by restricting development in or adjacent to wetlands and requiring appropriate setbacks and buffers for development. Policy NE -21 Protect and enhance the natural flood storage capacity of flood plains by: 159 a. Supporting the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative as proposed by the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) and the restoration of other key wetland systems in the City of SbaiEnm,inng development in flood plains and exploring options for safeguarding, flood proofing or relocating existing development in flood plains; and c. Exploring options for floodplain zoning and working with the Province of New Brunswick to develop flood proofing standards. Policy NE -22 Improve the natural storm water storage capacity of watercourses and wetlands in urban and suburban areas on a comprehensive watershed basis in accordance with the City's Storm Drainage Design Criteria Manual and by: a. Restricting development in natural and rural areas; b. Utilizing 'low impact development' techniques for on -site storm water management wherever possible and encouraging innovative storm water management methods such as green roofs, permeable surfaces, and rainwater collection and utilization; and c. Designing storm water management facilities as local amenities by locating them adjacent to parks, open spaces, or greenways and permitting public access where appropriate. 7.5 Natural Areas and Land The Municipal Plan aims to protect and enhance natural areas in Saint John to improve the functioning of ecosystems and maintain biodiversity. The City of Saint John is very large geographically and hosts a diversity of natural landforms. To the maximum extent possible in an urban area, the City intends to work with rather than against its natural features. The City will work with other levels of government and other community partners to restore degraded natural environments. Council shall: Policy NE -23 Enhance natural areas within the City by: a. Protecting and limiting development in environmentally sensitive areas including significant habitat areas, open spaces and areas of biodiversity; b. Minimizing the fragmentation of significant natural areas by limiting development in rural areas and linking natural areas wherever possible to maintain wildlife habitat and provide for corridors between natural areas; c. Working with the Province of New Brunswick and other agencies to encourage sustainable forest management practices on Crown Land and private woodlots; d. Carefully considering and mitigating the impacts of resource uses on adjacent natural areas when considering development applications; and e. Working with the Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and other agencies to identify and protect species of special concern and their habitat. Policy NE -24 Protect significant natural areas by working with the Province of New Brunswick and other agencies to identify, protect, and enhance designated Environmentally Significant 160 Areas (ESA's), Protected Natural Areas (PNA's), conservation areas, nature preserves, ecological reserves, bird sanctuaries and other significant natural areas including sites owned and managed by the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. Policy NE -25 Enhance biodiversity throughout the City by: a. Encouraging the use of native species of vegetation for landscaping in private and public developments where appropriate; and b. Preserving representative vegetation, species and ecosystems in major open spaces and City parks. Policy NE -26 Protect significant natural landforms unique to Saint John. Policy NE -27 Control the impacts of erosion by: a. Restricting development in erosion -prone areas; and b. Working with the Province of New Brunswick to ensure appropriate sediment control measures are implemented where development takes place. Policy NE -28 Actively participate in provincial and federal environmental impact assessments undertaken for projects in Saint John and advance the City's interests. Policy NE -29 Where possible, seek to harmonize the environmental impact assessment process and the City's land use planning processes for development projects. Policy NE -30 Utilize Land for Public Purpose dedications, as described in the Subdivision By -Law, to enhance natural areas within the City by: a. Seeking public ownership of key natural areas with potential for sensitively integrated passive recreation, biodiversity preservation, or ecosystem enhancement through the development process where there is not a neighbourhood need for active recreation sites; and b. Exploring mechanisms for developers to participate in the creation or enhancement of community facilities and natural areas in -lieu of land for public purposes. Policy NE -31 Enhance the urban forest by: a. Encouraging the retention of mature trees and natural tree growth wherever possible; b. Establishing a planting program along designated streets and public rights -of -way where doing so will not interfere with existing municipal services, sidewalks or roadway infrastructure; c. Utilizing hardy native species with appropriate diversity and longevity where appropriate; and d. Implementing sustainable forest management practices on City -owned lands to explore and manage issues such as biodiversity, sustainable harvesting, and management for fire safety. 161 7.6 Local Food Contemporary urban planning is recognizing the importance of local urban food production to increase the sustainability of cities and to reduce the cost of healthy food. This Municipal Plan encourages local food production where appropriate in forms such as community gardens and small -scale urban agriculture. The City intends to develop appropriate standards for such uses to ensure that they do not negatively impact neighbours. Council shall: Policy NE -32 Encourage the production of local food and work to increase access to fresh food by: a. Supporting interested groups in the development of community gardens; b. Allowing small -scale urban agriculture, in accordance with appropriate standards; and a. Encouraging the development of larger -scale agriculture operations in appropriate rural locations. 7.7 Energy Efficiency The City of Saint John is a national leader in energy efficiency at the municipal level. The City's has made significant investments to reduce the City's energy use and has developed and is using alternative energy sources to reduce the City's energy costs and environmental footprint. The City intends to continue to engage in public education and awareness efforts to encourage our citizens to implement energy efficiency measures. Council shall: Policy NE -33 Continue to improve the energy efficiency of municipal service delivery, facilities, equipment, fleet and procurement through the Municipal Energy Efficiency Program. Policy NE -34 Explore and encourage the development and use of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal. Policy NE -35 Encourage excellence in energy efficiency in new development and in retrofitting of existing development. Policy NE -36 Support public education and action on the use of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency measures. 162 7.8 Climate Change Saint John's location on the Bay of Fundy, the St. John River, and the Kennebecasis River makes the community particularly susceptible to climate change. The City of Saint John must consider climate change impacts and mitigation measures in all future decision making to ensure that our residents, our built environment, and our infrastructure are protected. The City also needs to do its part to minimize the impacts of climate change by reducing local contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. The City will seek to adapt to climate change impacts in order to minimize risks, protect natural resources, ensure no adverse public health effects, build resilience and take advantage of potential benefits wherever possible. A Climate Change Study and Action Plan for the City of Saint John could inform these actions. Council shall: Policy NE -37 Work with the Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and other agencies to research and better quantify the predicted impacts of climate change. Policy NE -38 Mitigate local contributions to climate change by: a. Working with the Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and other agencies to reduce local emissions of greenhouse gases; b. Working with the Province of New Brunswick and Saint John Energy to explore renewable sources of energy; c. Supporting initiatives to increase public awareness and action on greenhouse gas emission reduction; d. Encouraging excellence in emissions reduction and green building standards for all development; and e. Recognizing that a variety of initiatives, such as the development of complete communities, economic diversification, increased transportation choice, and local food production contribute positively to climate change. Policy NE -39 Proactively plan for climate change and take action to manage the effects of climate change and minimize adverse impacts. 163 7.9 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Air quality, as measured by the Index of Quality of the Air (IQUA), monitored and reported on by h Department offknjvironmer�tin coo�Frati�n with Environmefr Canada. t1.PAchievement o i. sewage reatme in a serviced areas o e City. 3. Implementation of the Safe Clean Drinking Water Strategy. 4. Impacts of flooding in developed areas. 5. Residential, commercial and industrial water usage. 6. The amount of solid waste disposed of at the Crane Mountain Landfill and the amounts recycled and composted. 7. The number of trees planted by the City each year. 8. The amount of energy consumed in municipal buildings and throughout the City. 164 8. TRANSPORTATION and MOBILITY Transportation and land use are highly interrelated functions. A city's transportation network strongly influences how the community grows, and the pattern of urban development dictates the overall demand placed on the transportation system. Throughout the process of developing this Municipal Plan, a key message from our citizens has been a desire to reduce our reliance on the automobile and to improve opportunities to use alternate modes of transportation such as public transit, walking and cycling. The underlying goal of the Municipal Plan is to increase population density in Saint John by directing development to areas of the City that already have municipal water and sewer so additional system capacity will not be needed. More residential population and more employment in Intensification Areas will generate the critical mass necessary to justify enhanced alternative modes of transport such as public transit and active transportation. Transportation is also critically important to the City's economy. Trade and business requires efficient and effective transportation systems. Saint John is host to a national airport, a national sea port, and railways that are important not only to the local economy but to a much larger region. The City intends to develop a cooperative working relationship with the authorities and companies that manage these air, rail, and marine assets to ensure that the community's needs and interests are well understood. It is very important that land use planning decisions on Port and Airport lands be compatible and complementary to the broader interests of the community as contained in this Municipal Plan. 8.1 Goals The Transportation and Mobility goals of the City are: 1. Develop and maintain a multi -modal transportation system that includes active transportation options and good public transit service to provide choice for the City's residents. 2. Maintain and enhance the City's roadway network including the effective regulation of parking. 3. Maintain and develop rail service to promote economic development within the City. 4. Support growth in air service at the Saint John Airport. 5. Support growth in marine traffic at the Port of Saint John. 6. Maintain and develop an efficient system of goods movement within the City. 165 8.2 General Transportation Policies The City of Saint John is committed to creating a transportation system that provides residents with a range of options of moving about the community and from Saint John to other places in New Brunswick and around the world. The need to move cars and trucks around the City must be balanced against the need to develop healthier and more sustainable ways of travelling including walking, cycling and using public transportation. Council shall: Policy TM -1 Develop and maintain a comprehensive transportation plan for the City of Saint John which advances the development of a multi -modal transportation system for the community. Policy TM -2 Work with the New Brunswick Department of Transportation to adopt a more comprehensive multi -modal approach to transportation planning and to strongly encourage the Province to consider making investments in more sustainable modes of transportation. Policy TM -3 Require a transportation study, provided at the expense of the developer, when a proposed development will create a significant change to the City's transportation needs. The City may require that such studies include an analysis of vehicular transportation volumes, turning movements, access to major roadways, public transit requirements, sidewalk and other pedestrian infrastructure, and /or cycling facilities or other transportation impacts. Policy TM -4 Consider the following when evaluating new development proposals: a. Arrlstreet hierarchy should be identified and designed to accommodate traffic within Lh�Oe calp °acr ty of existing adjacent streets should be sufficient to accommodate the forecasted traffic generated by the new development; c. Vehicular access points to arterial and collector streets should be minimized where possible by encouraging shared access driveways, appropriately controlling access from corner lots, and providing for parallel service roads where practical; d. The street layout should be designed to facilitate effective transit system operations; e. Amenities such as benches and shelters should be provided along transit routes; f. Connecting pathways between streets should be provided in locations where the safety and convenience of pedestrians can be enhanced; g. Active Transportation infrastructure should be encouraged to support alternative modes of travel within the development; h. The design of residential streets should provide a safe, convenient and livable environment for residents, motorists and pedestrians; and i. Excellent pedestrian connectivity and circulation to public sidewalks and between adjoining neighbourhoods should be encouraged. 166 Policy TM -5 Ensure that developers contribute to the cost of on and off site transportation improvements made necessary as a direct result of a development proposal. Policy TM -6 Improve directional and wayfinding signage for users of all forms of transportation infrastructure in Saint John. 8.3 Active Transportation In 2010, Common Council adopted the Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan which was prepared to guide development of a comprehensive trail and bikeway network that connects key destinations around the City. The Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan creates the opportunity to provide our residents with non - motorized transportation options to move around the City. Key recommendations from the Strategy are incorporated as Municipal Plan policies. Council shall: Policy TM -7 Implement the Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan, as resources permit, for those priority corridors that align with the Municipal Plan. Policy TM -8 Develop and maintain a system of on- street and off - street infrastructure for non - motorized traffic throughout the City including sidewalks, trails and on- street bicycle lanes and recognize this system as a core component of Saint John's transportation infrastructure. Policy TM -9 Encourage and promote the use of the active transportation network by residents as a healthy transportation choice by undertaking such initiatives as public education campaigns, mapping of the network, and wayfinding signage. Policy TM -10 Acquire linear active transportation infrastructure as part of the dedication of Land for Public Purposes in new development through provisions of the Subdivision By -law. Council shall also work with developers to establish the connections and off -site upgrades necessary to link new developments to the City's active transportation network. Policy TM -11 Review the City's traffic by -laws with the intent to support making improvements, where possible, that encourage residents to choose active transportation infrastructure. Policy TM -12 Incorporate improvements to active transportation infrastructure into other municipal infrastructure projects such as roadway reconstruction and resurfacing. During the planning and design phases of such work consideration must be given to the relative precedence of the travel modes to be accommodated. Policy TM -13 Implement connections outlined in the Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan which are aligned with the priorities for community investment identified in the Municipal Plan, including, but not necessarily limited to: a. North End — Uptown Connection b. Manawagonish Road /Douglas Avenue Corridor c. Rothesay Avenue (following the understanding of the traffic impacts of the One Mile House interchange) d. Loch Lomond Road Corridor 167 e. Rockwood Park — Uptown Connection f. East Side — Uptown connection g. Reversing Falls Bridge h. Active transportation linkages to the University and Regional Hospital Policy TM -14 Improve active transportation routes into the Uptown through measures such as improved crosswalks and pedestrian infrastructure on the overpasses that cross Route 1, ramp intersections and other locations. Policy TM -15 Support the development of the Marsh Line Trail through Community and Stakeholder Partnerships as set out in the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative. Policy TM -16 Provide parking for bicycles throughout the City, particularly in locations such as the Uptown in accordance with the Uptown Bike Parking Plan, in commercial and high density residential developments in accordance with requirements to be included in the Zoning Bylaw, and in park and ride lots that provide suburban access to the public transit system. Policy TM -17 Encourage the provision of end -of -trip facilities such as showers and change rooms in new developments and redevelopment projects to promote active transportation means for commuting. Policy TM -18 Improve pedestrian amenities and infrastructure with particular attention to: a. Effective winter sidewalk and trail maintenance as resources allow; b. Appropriate street furniture; c. Barrier free access; and d. Visible and safe pedestrian crossings. 8.4 Public Transit Saint John Transit is New Brunswick's largest public transit service with an annual ridership of approximately 2.7 million passenger trips and a network length of 515 kilometers. Fare revenues cover approximately 55% of operating costs making Saint John Transit one of the most self- sufficient Canadian transit services for similar sized municipalities. Council shall: Policy TM -20 Recognize and promote public transit as an important component of a sustainable urban transportation system that contributes to economic development and helps the City achieve its environmental goals and objectives. Policy TM -21 Provide effective fiscal support for cost efficient, affordable, safe and convenient transit services linking major employment, commercial, residential and recreational areas. Policy TM -22 Prepare a Transit Plan to strategically review and set the direction for transit services in the City and to identify service enhancements, especially in Intensification Areas and express east -west service at peak times. Policy TM -23 Consider the provision of public transit access to, and on, a development site when considering an amendment to the Zoning By -law. Policy TM -24 Support ongoing Transportation Demand Management initiatives such as the COMEX, park and ride infrastructure and ridesharing. Policy TM -25 Examine the feasibility of and the potential for developing additional public transportation opportunities including commuter rail service and commuter ferry service, as long -term objectives and in co- operation with neighbouring municipalities. Policy TM -26 Improve monitoring of ridership on Saint John Transit. Policy TM -27 Continue to improve access to the public transit system through such improvements as: a. Enhanced bus shelters and transit infrastructure; b. Services for the mobility impaired; c. Access to route schedules; and d. The development of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in and around transit stops. Policy TM -28 Work with the Federal Government and the Province of New Brunswick to increase financial support and favourable taxation for transit service and operations. 8.5 Roadway Infrastructure The City's road system covers approximately 600 kilometres and represents the municipality's largest investment in the transportation network. Continued investment and reinvestment is required to maintain the system and achieve many of the transportation goals envisioned in the Municipal Plan. Ar important consideration is that some of the City's roads fulfill a regional and provincial role, requiring a partnership with the Province for sustainable funding. Council shall: Policy TM -29 Establish a hierarchy of streets in the City of Saint John as identified in Schedule C, the Transportation Map for the City of Saint John to meet the community's road transportation needs over the planning period and adopt the following classification hierarchy for streets in the City: Local Streets — A road whose function is to provide direct access to individual properties. Local roads are designed to carry low traffic volumes for short distances and normally connect to other local roads and collector streets. Collector Streets — A road whose function is to provide land access and traffic movement with equal importance. Collector roads typically carry traffic between local and arterial streets. Arterial Streets — A road whose function is the movement of large volumes of all types of vehicular traffic at medium to high speeds. Arterials typically connect with collector streets, other arterial streets, and freeways. The amount of direct access to adjacent development is limited on arterial streets. Freeways — A road whose function is to accommodation high volumes of all types of vehicular traffic at high speeds and under free flowing conditions. Access to adjacent land is not permitted on freeways. 169 Policy TM -30 Seek the co- operation and assistance of the Provincial Government in meeting their commitments to maintain roadways in the City of Saint John that are designated as Provincial and Regional Highways. Policy TM -31 Work with the Provincial Department of Transportation to plan improved access between Route 1 and the City's roadway network to support the implementation of this Municipal Plan. Policy TM -32 Work with the Province to implement the following priority roadway improvements: a. Simms Corner Intersection Improvements; b. Ashburn Lake Road /Rothesay Avenue /Retail Drive realignment; c. Improved connections to /from the Uptown and Route 1; d. Improvements to the capacity of the intersections adjacent to Somerset Street and the Route 1 interchange; and e. The development of a full interchange Ashburn Lake /Retail Drive / Route 1 interchange. Policy TM -33 Work with the Provincial Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian access across Route 1 between the Uptown and areas north of the highway on the Somerset Street, Crown Street and Viaduct interchanges. Policy TM -34 Establish and update short and longer term priorities for roadway and intersection improvements and new road construction through updates to the City's Five -year Capital Works Plan and acquire right -of -way for projects sufficiently in advance of construction to assure implementation and reduce costs. Policy TM -35 Expand the roadway maintenance and investment program to improve the condition of City roadways. Policy TM -36 Consider constructing new Arterial or Collector roads in the Primary Development Area only where such roads will facilitate development or enhance the existing transportation system. Policy TM -37 Carefully examine new development proposals which propose the creation of new Public Streets to ensure that they are warranted and justified. Policy TM -38 Develop a connected and continuous grid -like street network that supports convenient and efficient travel by all modes of transportation. Discourage the development of street types that disrupt the grid network. Where possible, new development should support grid -like street networks with multiple connections to collector and arterial streets. Policy TM -39 Emphasize streetscaping along Arterial and Collector roads by utilizing such means as: a. Landscaping; b. Street trees; c. Limiting curb cuts and left turns; d. Burying overhead utilities; e. Controlling signage on fronting properties; f. Street lighting and furnishings; and g. Sidewalks, bicycle lanes and medians where appropriate. 170 Where these measures are implemented in conjunction with a capital project, consideration shall be given to the overall financial resources of the municipality. Such projects shall incorporate relevant components of applicable Neighbourhood Plans. Policy TM -40 Improve the appearance of the places -of -entry or 'gateways' to the Uptown: Viaduct, Somerset, Haymarket Square, Courtenay Causeway, and the Port. Policy TM -41 Consider stopping up, closing, and divesting of existing public streets that are not required as part of the City's transportation system. Policy TM -42 Consider the adoption of unique context sensitive design and maintenance standards for urban and rural roadways including but not limited to pavement and right -of -way widths, design speeds, second access requirements, street lighting, the use of roundabouts, the provision of sidewalks and boulevards and other criteria and review such standards on a regular basis. Policy TM -43 Develop a traffic calming policy for residential streets where excessive vehicle speed and /or inappropriate through traffic volumes are impacting quality of life. Traffic calming is to be used as a measure of last resort when appropriate street design techniques and enforcement measures fail. Policy TM -44 Encourage multi- occupant vehicle use through measures such as car - pooling and High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Policy TM -45 Develop a street naming policy to encourage the naming of streets for significant people, places, events and things related to Saint John. Policy TM -46 Pursue connecting existing dead -end streets with new and existing streets to improve the overall connectivity of the transportation system. Policy TM -47 Allow cul -de -sacs only where they are necessary or required to facilitate the efficient development of land. Where a cul -de -sac is to be constructed, adequate provision shall be made for pedestrian connectivity, snow removal, transit servicing, emergency vehicle access, water quality and the cost - effective provision of services. Policy TM -48 Review the life cycle cost and financial impacts of the utilization of granite curb on street reconstruction projects in the Uptown. Policy TM -49 Review means to improve traffic flow in the Uptown as part of a neighbourhood planning process including the possible conversion of one -way streets to two -way streets, and completing upgrades to traffic signal infrastructure such as emergency vehicle pre - emption and traffic actuated control. 171 8.6 Accessibility Users of the transportation network who have mobility impairments will benefit most from design approaches which minimize physical barriers to travel and maneuverability. Users with cognitive and sensory impairments should have access to information on the pedestrian environment that is necessary for independent travel. Council shall: Policy TM -50 Require that all modes of transportation incorporate design elements required for disabled persons. Policy TM -51 Ensure that street crossings are designed for users with wheelchairs, strollers, elderly people and children and to consider reduced pedestrian walking speeds where applicable. Policy TM -52 Support and expand the Handi Bus service, where demand exists. Policy TM -53 Develop criteria for Audible Pedestrian Signal installations and incorporate the appropriate Transportation Association of Canada guidelines into the City's Standard Specifications. Policy TM -54 Implement barrier free parking standards for new development and redevelopment projects through the Zoning By -law. Policy TM -55 Develop policy for Right -of -Way usage for street vendors, sandwich boards, sidewalk cafes to ensure these amenities are provided in a way that minimizes negative impacts for those with disabilities. 8.7 Parking Within the City, the primary focus for parking management is in the Central Peninsula as this area experiences a high demand for commuter, resident and retail parking. Demand is currently met by the provision of both on- street and off - street parking areas throughout the Peninsula. As the Uptown and surrounding neighbourhoods increase in density, there will be an opportunity for the City to make strategic investments in public transit and active transportation infrastructure in order to reduce the overall demand for parking. The ultimate goal is to increase the modal share of public transit and active transportation use among commuters and residents. Council shall: Policy TM -56 Direct the Saint John Parking Commission to assume responsibility management of parking resources on the Central Peninsula and work with the Transit Commission and other partners to balance parking supply with public transit service and access to other active modes of transportation. Policy TM -57 Explore Transportation Demand Management (TDM) initiatives to reduce overall parking demand in the City and especially the Uptown. This can involve measures such as permitting shared parking among various land uses, staggering employment start times, managing the number of parking spaces, and providing preferential parking for carpool users and smaller vehicles. 172 Policy TM -58 Encourage the construction of underground parking and multi -level parking structures for new developments. Where possible, parking facilities should provide publicly accessible parking and facilities facing public streets and /or Harbour Passage will be encouraged to have active uses or well- designed facades at grade to ensure an attractive pedestrian atmosphere. Policy TM -59 Generally prohibit the demolition of existing buildings for the express purpose of providing commercial surface parking through appropriate standards in the Zoning By -law. Policy TM -60 Establish different parking requirements for different areas of the City which reflect land uses and /or the distance between housing and employment and the availability of public transit. Policy TM -61 Regularly review Uptown parking rates and the supply and demand for commuter and short -term parking in the Uptown to encourage transit and carpooling while providing a competitive parking environment for businesses in the Uptown. Policy TM -62 Consider examining the feasibility of establishing a cash -in -lieu of parking program where the provision of on -site parking is not economically or physically practical or is not desirable from an urban design perspective. Policy TM -63 Implement parking controls that limit long term on- street parking, particularly in the winter months, to ensure that necessary street maintenance can be undertaken. Policy TM -64 Encourage shared / common access driveways for parking areas immediately adjacent to one another on neighbouring lots. 8.8 Taxi Service Taxis play an important role in the City's transportation network, particularly for visitors to Saint John, arriving by air or for cruise ship passengers and those residents unable to afford a private automobile. It is important that the industry be regulated to promote high standards regarding the level of service provided and the maintenance of vehicles. Council shall: Policy TM -65 Implement and regulate standards for the Taxi Industry in Saint John, in cooperation with the industry. Policy TM -66 Provide convenient locations for on street taxi parking to meet the needs of users. 173 8.9 Inter -City Bus Service The existing inter -city bus service provides an important service for moving goods and people between New Brunswick municipalities and neighbouring provinces. Bus transportation provides a more environmentally sustainable way of linking communities and it is a particularly important service for those who do not own an automobile or cannot drive. Council shall: Policy TM -67 Encourage the continuation of provincial inter -city bus service between Saint John and other regional destinations. Policy TM -68 Work with inter -city bus service providers to strengthen the provision of Inter -City bus service within the Province and to points beyond. 8.10 Goods and Freight Movement Saint John is an industrial City and as a result the ability to move goods into and out of the City and between industrial areas is a key component of economic development. Council shall: Policy TM -69 Develop a system of truck routes within the City of Saint John that is aligned with road hierarchy for the community as identified in Schedule C. Policy TM -70 Support the development of an integrated and efficient transportation network for goods movement, including rail, truck, marine and air travel by maintaining effective working relationships with providers. Policy TM -71 Support convenient access to rail and highway networks from Employment Areas and fast and convenient interchanges for transferring goods between truck, marine and rail modes. Policy TM -72 Encourage employment uses that generate heavy truck traffic to locate in Employment and Industrial Areas with good access to Provincial highways. Policy TM -73 Require that on -site loading areas for new development be sited away from streets to minimize impacts on adjacent land uses, public rights of way and pedestrian routes and incorporate screening through appropriate regulations in the Zoning By -law. Policy TM -74 Review the need for on- street loading zones in the Uptown and other areas of the City and develop the necessary policy and standards to regulate on- street loading and manage the impacts on on- street parking and vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 174 8.11 Rail Transport Many of the City's industrial areas are serviced by rail transport which provides an important means of goods movement for business within Saint John. Maintenance and additional development of rail service is important for the City's economic development. Council shall: Policy TM -75 Work with rail transportation providers to maintain a system of rail services that supports economic prosperity in Saint John. Policy TM -76 Support rail infrastructure improvements that will allow for faster and more convenient movement of people and goods by rail but that also consider quality of life impacts for residents of the City. Policy TM -77 Consider the potential for the resurgence of passenger and freight rail industries in the future when considering Municipal Plan amendments, re- zonings and land disposition relating to former rail lands and rights -of -way. Policy TM -78 Encourage reintroduction of passenger rail service throughout the region and beyond. Policy TM -79 Maximize the utilization of rail infrastructure for goods movement by directing industrial development which requires rail to locations adjacent to rail corridors and yards within Employment Areas. Policy TM -80 Carefully consider development locating adjacent or near rail infrastructure to ensure that noise or environmental concerns are appropriately addressed. Council shall evaluate land use compatibility, compatible noise and vibration levels and appropriate separation distances and /or safety barriers when evaluating development proposals. 8.12 Port/ Water Transport Marine transportation is an important part of Saint John's economy. The Port of Saint John is a national marine asset that handles a range of cargo and vessels and has recently tapped into the tgrrowing cruise ship market. The Port offers a key advantage to economic development for the City and CouncffKIl: Policy TM -81 Acknowledge the national importance of the Port of Saint John to support the economy of Saint John and the region and to encourage the development of marine infrastructure in appropriate locations to support economic development while minimizing impacts for the residents of Saint John. Policy TM -82 Work with the Province of New Brunswick and rail providers to maintain and improve efficient road and rail access to the Port and minimizes impacts on adjacent development. Policy TM -83 Encourage the Saint John Port Authority to utilize its Uptown waterfront land holdings for uses related to cruise ship traffic and not for industrial and cargo operations. Policy TM -84 Work with the Port Authority to ensure the land use plan for the Port accounts for community needs and aspirations and are in conformity with the Municipal Plan. 175 Policy TM -85 Work with the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick to support the continuation of the Digby ferry service and to improve access from Route 1 to the ferry terminal. Policy TM -86 Encourage the provision of amenities and services required to encourage resident and visitor pleasure boat activity on the Saint John and Kennebecasis Rivers. 8.13 Air Transport The Saint John Airport provides scheduled passenger and cargo service for residents and visitors providing important linkages to regional and national destinations. The Airport is Federally owned, operated by a local airport authority. Council shall: Policy TM -87 Recognize the importance of the Saint John Airport to support the continued economic prosperity of Saint John and to work with the Saint John Airport Authority to improve air service. Policy TM -88 Promote an open dialogue with the Airport management, Board and the City's nominated members concerning matters of mutual interest and concern. Policy TM -89 Ensure adjacent lands are appropriately zoned to limit interference with airport operations. Policy TM -90 Work with the Airport Authority to ensure that the land use plans for the airport account for community needs and aspirations and are in conformity with the Municipal Plan. 176 8.14 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Increase ridership of the Saint John transit service, with an ideal target of 14% of travel mode share. 2. Traffic Volumes. 3. Vehicle delays at key intersections. 4. Transportation modal split, as gathered in the Census. 5. Green House Gas Emissions from vehicles at key intersections. 6. Annual Airport Passenger volumes. 7. Annual port cargo tonnages. 8. Area of City industrial parks served by rail. 9. To maintain an average pavement condition for the network of streets at PCI 70 (Pavement Condition Index) of fair or better. 10. Supply and demand of parking in the Uptown. 11. Percentage of sidewalk kilometres serviced to service level objective at the storm severity index outlined in the City's Winter Management Plan. 12. Total operating costs for effective sidewalk maintenance per kilometre of sidewalk. 13. Percentage of residents satisfied with the City's management of traffic flow. 14. Number of traffic related accidents involving motor vehicles and /or pedestrians. 15. Percent change in speed or traffic volume where traffic calming measures are installed. 16. Transit subsidies per passenger and per capita compared with other transit systems in Cities of similar size. 17. Percentage of residents that are satisfied with the availability of parking in Saint John. 18. Percentage of total operating costs for the parking system covered by revenue generated. 177 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES and INFRASTRUCTURE Future development will be directed to serviced areas of the City within the Primary Development Area. This will result in the more efficient use of existing piped infrastructure, protective services and other municipal services as well. In addition, policies contained in the Municipal Plan will have to consider electrical and communications infrastructure in accordance with the Community Planning Act. The challenge will be to balance the demands to service new areas while managing the City's infrastructure deficit. 9.1 Goals The Municipal Services and Infrastructure goals are: 1. To use existing municipal infrastructure more efficiently to minimize costs for the residents of �Flip[ iii �en ti ytli� �t i �a ir<�cture to meet the needs of residents and businesses, support economic prosperity, and to protect the natural environment. 3. To maintain a municipal water supply system that provides high quality water in adequate supply to meet existing and future needs. 4. To maintain a wastewater collection and treatment systems that supports existing and future development and protects the natural environment in accordance with Provincial and Federal standards. 5. To provide a system of stormwater management that protects development from flooding, is environmentally sustainable, and protects natural water bodies from contaminants originating from urban runoff. 6. To work cooperatively with utility providers to ensure that residential and businesses in Saint John have access to high quality electrical, energy and communication services. 7. To provide effective police, fire, and emergency management services for the protection of the public and property. 9.2 General Municipal Services Policies Over the past several years, the City has come to the realization that the provision of infrastructure to service new development and the location of that new development should be better controlled to manage the financial implications of providing municipal servicing. As a result, the Municipal Plan seeks to limit unserviced development and to reallocate the financial responsibility for new infrastructure development away from the taxpayer and back to the beneficiaries of new development. Council shall: Policy MS -1 Ensure that the first priority of the City of Saint John is to maintain and upgrade existing municipal servicing systems. Policy MS -2 Discourage infrastructure extensions unless a sound business case that benefits both the City and the Developer is provided or it can be clearly demonstrated there is no existing infrastructure to accommodate the use, but it is in the public interest. 178 Policy MS -3 Generally require that onsite and offsite infrastructure costs associated with new subdivisions and developments be the responsibility of the developer. Policy MS -4 Require the developer to confirm that there is adequate downstream capacity in municipal infrastructure to accommodate a proposed development. Policy MS -5 Limit unserviced development in the City of Saint John. The priority for new development is for it to locate in existing serviced areas within the Primary Development Area. Policy MS -6 Pursue any available Provincial and /or Federal Government financial assistance in carrying out improvements to the water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems. Policy MS -7 Develop an asset management system which will inventory and manage the replacement of infrastructure in an effort to optimize service delivery over the life of the asset. Policy MS -8 Utilize existing corridors, particularly roadway right of ways, for infrastructure extensions wherever possible. 9.3 Water One of the key priorities for the City of Saint John over the planning period is to implement the City's Safe Clean Drinking Water Strategy to enhance quality of life for our residents, meet public health requirements, and to support the community's economic development. The City will need to make difficult decisions about providing the financial resources necessary to support new development while also managing the City's infrastructure deficit and implementing the strategic directions that have been established regarding upgrading the City's water system. Council shall: Policy MS -9 Develop and maintain a water supply system to supply the City with adequate potable and industrial water. Policy MS -10 Investigate the feasibility and desirability of establishing a separate municipal industrial water distribution system to meet the needs of industry in Saint John. Policy MS -11 Implement the strategic directions that have been established with respect to upgrading the City's water system as described in the Safe Clean Drinking Water Strategy. Policy MS -12 Develop appropriate initiatives to encourage water conservation by residents and businesses in Saint John. Policy MS -13 Require that the water distribution system in new subdivisions and developments provide the infrastructure necessary to meet public health and safety requirements. Policy MS -14 Maintain the highest possible water quality in the Loch Lomond and Spruce Lake watersheds by seeking the cooperation of the Province of New Brunswick to further control development in the City's drinking water supply watersheds, to appropriately restrict recreational and resource exploitation uses and to encourage further coordination between the City and Province with respect to licensing and permitting in accordance with the standards and guidelines of the Watershed Protected Area Designation Order. 179 Policy MS -15 Continue to pursue opportunities to acquire privately owned land in the City's Watershed Protected Areas with priority on lands in proximity to watercourses or having incompatible land uses. Policy MS -16 Protect the public water supply through a comprehensive backflow and cross connection control program including public education. 9.4 Sanitary Sewer The City will soon complete Harbour Clean Up, the project that will implement modern wastewater treatment in Saint John. Much work remains to be completed over the planning period including the separation of sanitary sewer flows from storm water. As with the water system, a major challenge for the City will be providing sanitary sewer servicing to support new development while improving and modernizing the wastewater system and managing the City's infrastructure deficit. Council shall: Policy MS -17 Ensure that adequate provision is made in the central sanitary collection system to allow for the ultimate development of lands within the Primary Development Area. Policy MS -18 Ensure that strategic improvements and expansions are undertaken to the City's wastewater collection and treatment facilities to support the City's growth and development in accordance with this Plan. Policy MS -19 Generally require developers to contribute toward the cost of upgrading wastewater infrastructure in order to accommodate proposed developments. Policy MS -20 Make the approval of new development contingent upon available reserve capacity in the city's wastewater collection system and treatment facility. Policy MS -21 Minimize the number of sanitary sewer lift stations required to support the wastewater collection system and maintain gravity flow in all new and upgraded sanitary collection systems wherever possible. Policy MS -22 Continue to install separate piping systems to separate sanitary waste water flows from storm sewer flows. Policy MS -23 Implement and where required revise the City's Sewer Use By -law. :1 9.5 Storm Sewer The City's stormwater system collects and conveys stormwater from development areas and discharges it to receiving watercourses. In recent years, the increased frequency and severity of storm systems have negatively impacted development in Saint John because of deficiencies in the storm water system. The improvement of these systems is a priority for the City to protect existing property and to permit growth to take place as proposed in this Municipal Plan. Council shall: Policy MS -24 Require the management of stormwater in accordance with the Storm Drainage Design Criteria Manual through appropriate by -laws, policies and procedures. Policy MS -25 Continue to make improvements to the storm sewer system on a watershed by watershed basis to protect the natural environment and existing property, alleviate flooding during peak rainfall events. Policy MS -26 Require that drainage plans and individual lot grading be prepared and implemented for all new developments. Policy MS -27 Develop requirements for over - sizing piped stormwater services in urban development areas, based on the expected future build -out. Policy MS -28 Require that storm water impacts are considered when development is approved and techniques such as Low Impact Design and natural storm water management approaches are used where appropriate. Policy MS -29 Require the management of construction erosion and sedimentation. Policy MS -30 Undertake a regionalized approach to stormwater management where possible to utilize a smaller number of large stormwater management facilities as opposed to a large number of smaller facilities in new developments. Policy MS -31 Ensure the design of stormwater management facilities allows for recreational uses during periods where the rainfall events are not occurring, providing that public safety can be maintained at all times. Policy MS -32 Require the review of downstream effects on the storm water system to the system outlet in the design of new developments in order to build system capacity. Policy MS -33 Require developers to assume the cost of any necessary surface runoff remediation initiatives to ensure that the impact of storm water generation on natural drainage courses, abutting properties and infrastructure is minimized. 9.6 Un- Serviced Development Through the process of developing the new Municipal Plan, a primary concern from the public was the limitation of development in un- serviced areas of the City and a need to focus development in the more central, serviced areas of the City. Council shall: Policy MS -34 Limit un- serviced development to minimize the environmental and health risks and longer term economic costs associated with such development. 181 Policy MS -35 Maintain an appropriate system of assessing the suitability of proposed buildings lots for onsite wastewater treatment systems. Policy MS -36 Work with the Province of New Brunswick to improve the assessment of properties to accommodate on -site wells for water supply. 9.7 Solid Waste Management The City is a member of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission which operates the regional waste management facility at Crane Mountain and provides recycling services. Both the City and Commission are committed to facilitating the reduction, reuse recycling and recovery of waste in an economic and publicly acceptable manner. Council shall: Policy MS -37 Work closely with the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission to appropriately manage the solid waste generated by residents and businesses in the City of Saint John, to promote waste diversion, to increase the lifespan of the existing landfill site, and to plan for the long -term future needs of the community. Policy MS -38 Work with the Solid Waste Commission to develop public education programs and initiatives that reduce the amount of solid waste generated in Saint John. Policy MS -39 Support and encourage increased recycling and composting including such initiatives as the convenient location of recycling and refuse containers and potentially through the future implementation of a curb -side recycling program. Policy MS -40 Work with the Province of New Brunswick to develop appropriate laws that prevent illegal dumping and provide for efficient and effective enforcement. Policy MS -41 Provide appropriate facilities for composting and recycling in all City facilities and for all City operations, where practical. Policy MS -42 Work with community partners to implement programs that keep with City clean such as annual City and neighbourhood clean -up campaigns, as resources permit. Policy MS -43 Work with the Province of New Brunswick to identify and remediate former solid waste disposal sites and existing illegal dumpsites in the City and explore appropriate community uses for former landfill sites and remediated dumpsites. 9.8 Utilities The City works with both private and public utility providers to assist them in supplying important services to businesses and residents. Structures necessary to support the provision of utilities range from transmission towers and switching or transformer stations to water pumping stations and water towers. Such developments must be permitted in any zone within the City if efficient and effective public utility services are to be provided to the City's residents, although the design and location of such facilities must be sensitive to the surrounding community context. There are a number of energy - related uses located in close proximity to Saint John that utilize petroleum, natural gas, nuclear energy, and perhaps other energy sources in the future. At the time of the writing of this plan, there has been discussion about the creation of a major utility corridor :. connecting Atlantic Canada to the New England States. The establishment of this corridor could have significant impacts on Saint John. The benefits and challenges associated with such a corridor would need to be carefully considered to determine the community impact. Council shall: Policy MS -44 Allocate the required space within the public right -of -way among the various utilities to maximize the flexibility and adaptability of utility corridors in the City of Saint John to provide services to residents and businesses, to accommodate long -term needs, and to ensure that new technologies can be accommodated. Policy MS -45 Permit the development of utility - related uses in all zones subject to appropriate regulations in the Zoning By -Law. Policy MS -46 Work with utility providers to establish guidelines for the location and siting of utility uses to minimize the impacts on the environment and residents and to ensure that City rights -of -way are properly reinstated and landscaped when new utilities are installed. Policy MS -47 Require developers to consult with utilities regarding development proposals in the vicinity of their facilities. Policy MS -48 Encourage the use of pipeline rights -of -way for co- location of linear open space and active transportation purposes subject to the pipeline company's easement rights. Policy MS -49 Regulate the location of utility servicing through the Subdivision By -Law to allow flexibility while minimizing the visual impact of the utility infrastructure. Policy MS -50 Encourage the consolidation of major electrical transmission lines within existing corridors in the City and encourage the utility to undertake a public consultation process when constructing new facilities. Policy MS -51 Support the growth of high speed and reliable data and wireless networks to provide comprehensive service throughout Saint John. Policy MS -52 Encourage service providers to share telecommunications and data infrastructure, where feasible, to minimize adverse impacts, including visual impacts, from wireless towers. Policy MS -53 Work with energy suppliers such as natural gas companies to provide energy to property owners in the City. Policy MS -54 Work closely with the interests considering the establishment of a major energy and utility corridor between Atlantic Canada and the New England States to maximize the benefits of such a corridor for the City of Saint John and its residents. 183 9.9 Protective Services The City provides police and fire services through the Saint John Police Force and Saint John Fire Department. Fire and police services must be effectively prepared in a multitude of disciplines to protect and manage emergencies in our community. Saint John is the oldest city in Canada with a large heavy industrial employment base and a large quantity of older housing inventory, amidst new residential condo and high -rise projects. To continue to provide effective command of emergency situations, with excellent response times, requires a comprehensive approach to ensure stations are well positioned and emergency management personnel are trained with an exceptional level of skill. Council shall: Policy MS -55 Provide police, fire, and emergency management services to residents and businesses in Saint John as required to meet community needs, in particular the risks involved with managing large scale industrial emergencies. Policy MS -56 Support the intelligence -led policing model utilized by the Saint John Police Force. Policy MS -57 Regularly maintain and update the City's Emergency Management Plan. Policy MS -58 Optimize the location of the City's fire stations to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost. Policy MS -59 Carefully design and site new fire and police facilities to complement and add value to the surrounding neighbourhoods, especially if they are located in a residential area. Policy MS -60 Consider the impacts of new development on the provision of protective and emergency services and seek to minimize emergency response time by ensuring that alternative access points are provided in new developments, wherever possible. Policy MS -61 Ensure that safe places of assembly, work and residential living are created in accordance with National Fire and Building codes. ., 9.10 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Percentage of new development that is serviced 2. Solid waste tonnages 3. Recycling tonnages 4. Percentage of the time that residential household refuse and compost is collected on schedule as defined by service level standards and in compliance with the Solid Waste By -Law. 5. Total operating costs for collecting residential refuse and compost per tonne collected. 6. Measure of the total number of unplanned service disruptions experienced by industrial water customers. 7. Operating cost for the industrial and domestic supply of water per megalitre delivered 8. Measure of the percentage of days during which there is compliance with the Approval to Operate Drinking Water Facilities. 9. Measure of the number of wastewater samples that are in compliance with effluent quality standards at each wastewater treatment facility as a percentage of the total number of samples analyzed. 10. Operating costs for the collection and treatment of wastewater per megalitre. 11. Operating costs for stormwater management per kilometre of drainage system (major and minor systems) effectively maintained. 12. An external review of emergency management and business continuity programs to ensure evidence -based planning and best practices are used. 13. Percentage of time first fire truck arrives at incidents in six (6) minutes or less. 14. Number of properties inspected as a percentage of those required by the Office of the Fire Marshall. 15. Total operating costs for fire and rescue services per $1,000 of assessment. 185 10. COMMUNITY FACILITIES Saint John is blessed with many parks, green spaces and regional recreational facilities. These spaces play a key role in ensuring the quality of life that residents currently enjoy is maintained well into the future. Parks and community facilities contribute significantly to advancing the environmental, social and financial pillars of sustainability - all of which are critical building blocks of complete communities. Good quality parks, natural spaces and community facilities help cultivate a strong sense of place by creating the environs that facilitate and enhance social interaction among local community members, as well as provide ample opportunity for physical exercise in both structured and unstructured ways. Excellent community facilities including parks and natural spaces support and encourage more active living among residents, supporting a healthier more active lifestyle within the community. The City currently has more of some types of facilities and parks than a city of its size can efficiently support. As a result, funding for these spaces is spread too thin, meaning many parks and facilities remain in substandard conditions. Saint Johners wish to see an improvement in the condition of the parks and open spaces in the City to encourage more use by residents and more active living. Prioritizing spending in key areas and exploring the possibility of repurposing many of these facilities and parks will be necessary to optimize the appeal of various communities within the Primary Development Area. Given the significant value Saint Johners place on public parks and facilities, it is important that an overall strategy is developed to ensure these resources are effectively managed to support a broad range of recreational uses that are accessible to all age groups and community members. The Municipal Plan seeks to develop complete communities that contain a range of community amenities including facilities and parks. Locating and /or improving key community facilities through strategic investments in the Intensification Areas will help these neighbourhoods attract the amount of future growth desired in the growth strategy. 10.1 Goals The Community Facilities goals are: 1. Prioritize and 'right -size' local parks and facilities through the development of a Parks and Recreation Service Plan. 2. Provide good connectivity to neighbourhood parks via a wide range of transportation modes. 3. Increase the quality and quantity of and accessibility to green spaces in the Uptown and intensification areas. 4. Promote sustainable building and operations practices. 5. Enhance existing Regional Parks. 6. 'Right -size' recreational facilities and prioritize spending to better serve community needs. 7. Promote social cohesion. 8. Promote the establishment of 'complete communities'. 9. Support active living through the provision of active transportation and recreational infrastructure. :. 10.2 Parks Parks and open spaces in the City are organized into a hierarchy that reflects the size of the geographic catchment area they are meant to serve ranging from small local playgrounds to large regional tourist attractions. The classification system categorizes Saint John's Parks according to the following categories: Local / Neighbourhood Parks; Community Parks; and Regional Parks. The City is over - supplied by its current inventory of parks, playgrounds and open spaces. For example, the Technical Background Report states that a city the size of Saint John should have approximately 14 playgrounds to serve its population, whereas Saint John currently has 71 playgrounds. To ensure cost - effective and efficient service delivery for tax payers, the City must optimize the quality and appeal of parks and green spaces within the designated Intensification Areas, while 'right- sizing' the overall supply of these spaces citywide. Council shall: Policy CF -1 Adopt a classification system for managing its inventory of city parks including the following classifications: Neighbourhood Parks, Community Parks and Regional Parks. Further the City shall undertake a Parks and Recreation Service Plan to strategically manage its inventory of parks, community facilities and recreational program offering to ensure they meet the needs of the community and align with the priorities of the Municipal Plan. Policy CF -2 In accordance with policy CF -1, review its cash -in -lieu policy for parkland dedication to determine if the current practice supports and aligns with the Municipal Plan. 10.2.1 Neighbourhood Parks Neighbourhood parks are intended to serve the residents that live within a neighbourhood, are typically accessible by walking and have a catchment area radius of 0.8 kilometres. Types of neighbourhood parks include playgrounds, tot lots, parkettes and play areas attached to elementary schools. The City has 54 Neighbourhood Parks spread throughout the City, the majority within CouricIT sia1lnd suburban core neighbourhoods. Policy CF -3 Ensure that each of the Intensification Areas fully serves their respective communities with high quality Neighbourhood Park space. Policy CF -4 In accordance with policy CF -1, develop a strategy to repurpose or divest of surplus parks and playgrounds. Council intends to prepare a detailed Parks and Recreation Service Plan after adoption of the Municipal Plan to guide and direct this process. Policy CF -5 Ensure Neighbourhood Parks have adequate pedestrian and bike connectivity to and from the local community. Policy CF -6 Encourage the development and /or improvement of Neighbourhood Parks and public green spaces in the Uptown, with special attention granted to areas along the Waterfront. Policy CF -7 Encourage recycling, composting and cleanliness in Neighbourhood Parks and public spaces. 187 Policy CF -8 Promote the establishment of community gardens in Neighbourhood and Community Parks when possible in order to give greater access to local food supplies, support environmental enhancement and create greater opportunity for low- intensity physical exercise. 10.2.2 Community Parks Community Parks serve a larger population than neighbourhood parks. Residents should be able to access these parks by walking, public transit or by vehicle and the parks should be programmed to offer a variety of recreational and leisure opportunities both structures and unstructured. Types of Community Parks include athletic and sports fields; lands associated with arenas, community centres and pools; secondary school playfields and district parks. Community Parks have a catchment area radius of 3 kilometres. The City's inventory includes many Community Parks, most of which are distributed in the urban and suburban areas. Council shall: Policy CF -9 In accordance with Policy CF -1, strategically review potential repurposing, selling or enhancing some of the existing baseball fields across the City due to their oversupply. Examining the potential to provide alternative community uses, such as community gardens, green spaces or affordable housing will be considered where appropriate. Policy CF -10 Prioritize investment for recreational fields within the Primary Development Area, with particular attention granted to those within the Intensification Areas, to ensure they can adequately meet the needs of various athletic groups. Policy CF -11 Ensure wherever possible residents within the Primary Development Area can access their Community Parks by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. Policy CF -12 Ensure that Community Parks contain an adequate supply of waste, recycling and composting receptacles. Policy CF -13 Ensure Community Parks offer a wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities that serve all age groups. Policy CF -14 Promote the continued use and possible expansion of the Skateboard Park as a valuable recreational facility for youth. Policy CF -15 Ensure appropriate access is provided to Community and Regional Parks through the provision of adequate transit service, active transportation means and adequate on -site parking. im 10.2.3 Regional Parks The largest parks in the classification system are Regional Parks that attract residents and tourists from the Saint John region and beyond. They typically provide both structured and unstructured recreational opportunities as well as a wide range of specialized uses. The City's has many Regional Parks including Rockwood Park, Irving Nature Park, and Parks along Saint John's Harbour including Partridge Island which, although not accessible, exhibits strong potential as a signature piece of Saint John's park system. Council shall: Policy CF -16 Continue to support and enhance Rockwood Park, the Irving Nature Park and the Waterfront as Regional Parks. Policy CF -17 Work with other levels of government to create a national heritage site at Partridge Island that is publicly accessible. Policy CF -18 Explore future recreational opportunities for underutilized areas of Rockwood Park to enhance its ability to serve the regional population. Policy CF -19 Pursue revitalization plans for Reversing Falls, outlined in a 2009 study, to enhance the range of recreational and leisure activities it offers to the regional population. Policy CF -20 Explore opportunities to better celebrate historically significant parks around the City, such as Fort Howe, Fort Latour, Partridge Island and Martello Tower. Policy CF -21 Explore opportunities to better utilize the Market Square Boardwalk in ways that engage various age groups and cultures that connect them to the Uptown. Policy CF -22 Support the continued expansion of Harbour Passage to develop a connected system of trails along the City's harbour front. Policy CF -23 Ensure appropriate access is provided to Community and Regional Parks through the provision of adequate transit service, active transportation means and adequate on -site parking. 10.3 Open Spaces Saint John has many significant open space and natural areas. Open space networks play an important role in defining the City's urban structure. They include rural resource lands, environmentally significant lands such as watersheds, wetlands and watercourses, wilderness areas coastlines, archeological heritage sites, cemeteries. Council shall: Policy CF -24 Recognize and protect significant natural open space lands through the land use framework. Policy CF -25 Recognize that not all open space lands acquired through the development process or purchased via cash -in -lieu are intended to be developed for public use as recreational space. Policy CF -26 Parks and Trails may be developed for public use as recreational space, subject to the type of land, location and guidance from the Parks and Recreation Service Plan. 10.4 Community and Recreational Facilities As with playgrounds and parks, the City is currently over - serviced by its supply of Community and Recreational Facilities. Directing investment to improve existing facilities in designated Intensification Areas, while repurposing some facilities that no longer serve their communities is a direction the City eBjM .y�fiAq:order to build successful, complete communities. Policy CF -27 Analyze the supply of existing recreational facilities to understand where there is opportunity to make changes to better meet the needs of the community. Policy CF -28 Seek funding opportunities to reinvest in community centres that are in need of upkeep. These centres should co- locate with other community facilities, whenever possible. Policy CF -29 Ensure community centres offer a wide range of activities available to all age groups. Policy CF -30 Locate community centres in urban Intensification Areas near other community facilities such as parks, green spaces, arenas and schools, wherever possible. 10.5 Squares, Plazas and Community Gathering Spaces Vibrant communities depend on structured spaces that enable both planned and unplanned gatherings and social encounters to occur. These spaces act as 'hubs' of the local neighbourhoods and often become the locations where cultural events and activities take place. Council shall: Policy CF -31 Recognize the special character and role of the City's historic urban squares including Kings Square, Queen's Square, King's Square West, Loyalists Plaza, Victoria Park, and Robertson square and promote leisure and cultural activities within these square which contribute to fostering a 'sense of place' for all residents of Saint John. Policy CF -32 Promote the use of King's Square for cultural activities, such as music and cultural events, artisan markets and farmers markets and other uses deemed appropriate by Common Council. Policy CF -33 Promote periodic community use of streets, for such events as block parties, festivals and farmers markets. Policy CF -34 Encourage where appropriate that new major development contribute toward enhancing existing public spaces or creating new ones to help meet the open space needs of residents in compact communities. 190 10.6 Government and Community Structure Community facilities across the City serve and engage a variety of groups in the community. The ownership and administration of these facilities resides with a variety of agencies and the City strives to work with the operators to ensure the goals of the Municipal Plan are being advanced. 10.6.1 Schools Council shall: Policy CF -35 Cooperate with the Province and School Board to enhance schools in the Intensification Areas, with a particular focus on the schools in the Priority Neighbourhoods. Policy CF -36 Pursue alternative uses for closed schools that prioritize the location of community services, such as community centres, shared studio spaces and day care facilities. Policy CF -37 Encourage the establishment of school or community gardens on school grounds. Policy CF -38 Ensure all schools are safely accessible via a range of transportation modes. Policy CF -39 Work with the Province of New Brunswick and the School Board to ensure community access to school buildings and grounds is available after hours. 10.6.2 Places of Worship Policy CF -40 Council shall encourage adaptive re -use of vacant places of worship. 10.6.3 Human and Social Services Policy CF -41 Council shall encourage collaboration between social agencies to support strategic community development in coordination with neighbourhood planning. 191 10.7 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies by regularly reporting to Council and the community on measure's including, but not necessarily limited, to: 1. Percentage of the population within a 0.8km radius of a Neighbourhood Park. 2. Percentage of the population within a 3km radius of a Community Park. 3. Improvements made to increase the percentage of the population within appropriate catchment areas of Neighbourhood, Community and Regional Parks. 192 11. ARTS, CULTURE and HERITAGE Arts, culture and heritage enhance the well -being and social sustainability of a community and of individuals in numerous ways — by providing outlets for creativity, personal expression and social interaction; by developing and reinforcing a sense of place and community pride; and by providing a variety of opportunities for entertainment, pleasure, relaxation and innovation. Participation in arts and culture and an awareness of our heritage and diversity also offer exposure to a range of beliefs, values and experiences that expand our horizons and increases healthy multiculturalism and empathy. A vibrant arts and culture scene enhances the lives and interactions of our residents and promotes economic development, tourism and our identity as a community. Arts, culture and our built and natural heritage belong to everyone in the community and should be fostered and celebrated through a multitude of initiatives and activities. Planning to accommodate the full spectrum of these resources will enhance our quality of life and quality of place to ensure a lively, authentic and creative future for the City of Saint John. The Municipal Plan acknowledges that the vitality, quality of life and quality of place in Saint John are influenced by our arts, culture and heritage. Strengthening this vitality and improving quality of life and opportunities for residents of all ages requires continued investments of time, money and energy into arts and culture and the continued celebration and conservation of our history. Saint John's designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2010 shone the spotlight on arts and culture in Saint John. Our art, culture, history and architectural legacy are unique characteristics that contribute to the economic health and quality of life in Saint John. Key assets and opportunities for celebrating arts and culture in Saint John include: ■ Over 770 properties which are located in designated Heritage Conservation Areas throughout the City; ■ The City has experienced tremendous growth in the number of arts organizations in the past 20 years, from 8 to 55; ■ The Council- appointed Saint John Community Arts Board was established in 2003 to support and promote arts and culture in the City and advise Council on matters related to arts and culture; ■ Saint John is the cultural hub of the region — in 2008 there were more than 3,800 arts and cultural events activities in the City including concerts, readings, and plays; ■ Regionally, Greater Saint John households spend 18% more on arts and culture than the average household in New Brunswick; and ■ Saint John spent 6.6% of its annual budget in 2009 on culture. Community engagement throughout the PIanSJ process reiterated and emphasized the importance of arts, culture and heritage to Saint Johners, and provided ideas for enhancing the City's participation in the local arts and culture scene. The community also expressed an interest in enhancing our rich heritage architecture and streetscapes, but opinions on the appropriate way to achieve this diverged. Some members of the community wanted to see an expansion of Heritage Conservation Areas to conserve and designate more properties and neighbourhoods, while others would like to see the Heritage Conservation standards relaxed to conserve the character of heritage areas and streetscapes while allowing for the use of contemporary materials and encouraging more innovation and a greater ability to permit modern expression in our built heritage. 193 11.1 Goals The Arts, Culture and Heritage Goals are: 1. To establish and support Saint John as an artistic and cultural centre where creativity, excellence, diversity and personal expression flourish in an open and accessible setting. 2. Increase accessibility to and participation in arts and culture. 3. Assist in further developing arts and culture in Saint John by working with the community to maintain appropriate arts and culture facilities and organizations in the City. 4. Integrate public art into public spaces, facilities and community celebrations. S. Retain and enhance the Uptown Waterfront as the focal point of civic and cultural activity within the Greater Saint John Region. 6. Support and enhance our multicultural community to ensure that Saint John is and continues to be an inclusive and welcoming City. 7. Recognize and promote the City's wealth of historic, archaeological and paleontological sites. 8. Remain a national leader in municipal heritage conservation by continuing to recognize, value and conserve heritage resources. 11.2 General Policies The City of Saint John recognizes and values the role of the arts in our sense of community and identity, creativity and communication, personal development and connection and in economic development, tourism, and neighbourhood revitalization. The Municipal Plan is designed to recognize and promote the relationship between progressive urban planning, economic health, social sustainability and arts, culture and heritage. Council shall: Policy AC -1 Consider arts, culture and heritage in all municipal decisions, policies, initiatives and actions and to encourage the integration of arts, culture and heritage into all aspects of the Saint John community. Policy AC -2 Recognize and value the contributions that arts, culture and heritage make to: a. Greater economic wealth; b. Improved quality of life; c. Greater community inclusiveness; d. Healthier Communities; e. Opportunities for building understanding among our residents; f. Employment opportunities; and g. Making the City vibrant. Policy AC -3 Support the Saint John Community Arts Boards and the Cultural Affairs Office as the City's community partner in delivering and supporting arts and culture programming in Saint John. 194 Policy AC -4 Support the Heritage Development Board and Heritage Office in guiding and promoting heritage conservation throughout the City. Policy AC -5 Encourage the concentration of arts and cultural organizations, venues and facilities in the Uptown while providing for community -based arts and cultural activities and events in all areas of the City. 11.3 Accessibility to Arts and Culture Council shall: Policy AC -6 Encourage community -based arts and culture in all areas of Saint John. Policy AC -7 Encourage access to arts and culture through improved marketing and information, active transportation and barrier -free access to arts and cultural facilities, and affordable options for arts, culture and entertainment. Policy AC -8 Support arts and cultural events in all areas of Saint John that celebrate the diversity within our community. Policy AC -9 Work with the arts and culture community to explore the creation of a signature arts and cultural event or festival in the City. Policy AC -10 Prioritize municipal funding to those arts and cultural events and organizations that are based in Saint John and are affordable for and accessible to all members of the community. 11.4 Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Council shall: Policy AC -11 Facilitate and promote the provision of a range of local venues, facilities and events that support a flourishing arts and cultural sector. Policy AC -12 Facilitate networking, communication, information exchange and collaboration between local arts practitioners, arts and cultural organizations and the arts educational sector. Policy AC -13 Encourage senior governments to expand support to the arts and culture sector through financial and in -kind contributions, where appropriate. Policy AC -14 Work cooperatively with neighbouring municipalities, other levels of government and community stakeholders to further develop arts and culture in Saint John. Policy AC -15 Work with other organizations to identify and attract new sources of funding for the promotion, development and marketing of arts and culture. Policy AC -16 Continue to work with the Regional Facilities Commission to participate in regional arts and culture. Policy AC -17 Require the inclusion of public art in prominent community spaces, such as plazas, parks, community walkways, burial grounds, etc. Policy AC -18 Promote the location of museums, galleries and other places that celebrate the arts, in the Uptown area. 195 Policy AC -19 Support the continued '1%' fund for public art in all new government buildings, and encourage other corporations to enact a similar policy. 11.5 Integrating Arts and Culture Council shall: Policy AC -20 Work with the arts and culture community to develop a broad range of public arts programs for all ages and incomes. Policy AC -21 Encourage hosting events and performances in public spaces. Policy AC -22 Commission and display public art by local artists in prominent public spaces and facilities. Policy AC -23 Incorporate art in City and City- sponsored capital projects and programs, where appropriate. Policy AC -24 Encourage Saint John 's neighbouring municipalities, other levels of government and private developers to include arts and culture as part of significant new development proposals. Policy AC -25 Invest in local arts and culture to support their role in economic development and in attracting visitors to Saint John. Policy AC -26 Work with other groups and Saint John businesses to identify opportunities to increase investment in local arts and culture and to encourage collaboration between the arts and business sectors. Policy AC -27 Encourage arts and culture to act as a magnet for new immigrants and visitors and to project positive images of Saint John to the world. 11.6 Uptown Waterfront Council shall: Policy AC -28 Ensure that programming of public spaces in the Inner Harbour should be pursued and based on five overlapping areas of focus — community, art, culture, history and education — intended to support permanent and changing activities that offer something for all age and interest groups: a. Community programming will involve events that have residents of the City and the Region as their primary audience; b. Arts programming will encompass a range of possibilities — permanent public art, demonstrations and exhibitions, performing arts, interactive studios and galleries — that are attractive to both locals and visitors; c. Cultural programming will involve events that celebrate and communicate the unique identity and history of the Greater Saint John Region; and d. Educational programming will involve providing a variety of experiences related to the many rich historic elements within the Inner Harbour, walking and interpretive tours, opportunities to involve students through the school curriculum and the promotion of Harbour health and environmental awareness. 196 Policy AC -29 Pursue collaborative partnerships for events and programming with groups throughout the region representing various civic, business, arts, ethnic and special interest communities. 11.7 Multiculturalism The City's long history of French and Acadian culture, beginning with Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600's, continues today with distinct and well- recognized French cultural organizations. Other cultures, including First Nations, Irish, Lebanese, Hungarian and Greek, have also contributed greatly to the history and current culture of Saint John. Increasing international migration and university enrolment is further enriching the cultural diversity of the City. The Growth Strategy and community feedback have identified a need for increased awareness and education on cultural diversity, and for the provision of appropriate programs and assistance to newcomers. Currently, multicultural programming is undertaken as a collaborative effort among several organizations, including the Saint John Multicultural and Newcomers Resource Centre, the YM -YWCA, the Multicultural Association and PRUDE (Pride in Race, Unity, Dignity and Education) Inc. Council shall: Policy AC -30 Recognize that cultural diversity is a valuable asset for Saint John. Policy AC -31 Encourage the celebration and promotion of distinct cultures, languages and art forms to increase cultural diversity, understanding and acceptance. Policy AC -32 Work with the Province of New Brunswick and other agencies to uphold and fully implement the New Brunswick Policy on Multiculturalism and its principles of equality, appreciation, preservation and participation through: B: 5rov° o o acces our o municipaYservYcesooa�ce of community strength and pride; c. Promotion of understanding, sensitivity and positivity towards multiculturalism amongst City staff and community members; d. Encouraging full participation of citizens from all cultures and backgrounds in City planning and community engagement initiatives; and e. Discouraging discrimination in any form on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour or religion. Policy AC -33 Work with the Province of New Brunswick and other agencies to provide appropriate services, education, and opportunities for newcomers to Saint John. 197 11.8 Cultural Landscapes The Municipal Plan recognizes the City's wealth of historic, archaeological and paleontological sites. The Province of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Museum have begun mapping significant archaeological sites and have thus far assembled 35 such sites, which include portage sites, cemeteries and shipwrecks. The recent recognition of the StoneHammer sites as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Geopark reflects the significant paleontological history of our region and showcases fossil sites with some of the earliest discoveries of fossil groups like stromatolites, trilobites, insects, fish and plants. The Province is currently exploring the designation of these kinds of significant cultural landscapes as 'historic places' under the New Brunswick Municipal Heritage Conservation Act. Although the protection of some of these resources falls outside of municipal jurisdiction, local planning for and of cultural and historic resources promotes their use and capacity, educational opportunities, and ensures their value is understood and taken into account. Council shall: Policy AC -34 Support the recognition, protection and promotion of important cultural landscapes, historic sites, special places, aboriginal sites, and archaeological resources in partnership with the Province through the new tools enabled by the New Brunswick Municipal Heritage Conservation Act and work with other levels of government to improve public access to and awareness of these community assets. Policy AC -35 Give priority to the appropriate recognition, interpretation and development of the primary Inner Harbour heritage assets, including Fort LaTour, Partridge Island, Trinity Royal and the New Brunswick Museum and Archives facility. 11.9 Built Heritage The City's rich legacy of built heritage, distinctive late 19th century architecture and cultural history also contribute to the social, cultural and economic sustainability of Saint John. Of the estimated 6,000 heritage buildings within the City, 770 are currently designated and protected in Heritage Conservation Areas. Heritage Conservation Areas are defined and regulated by the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas By -law, the main objective of which is to conserve, rehabilitate and utilize heritage sites, structures, buildings, areas and environments for the benefit of community and posterity, in coordination with the comprehensive planning needs and requirements of the City. Grants for conservation work are provided as incentives to retain and enhance these areas by the City. The City of Saint John is a national leader in municipal heritage conservation and is committed to recognizing, valuing and conserving heritage resources, including heritage buildings and structures, landscapes and others historic resources throughout the City. The Municipal Plan will promote the awareness of and use of heritage resources, and promote appropriate development around and adjacent to heritage resources through urban design guidelines. Council shall: Policy AC -36 Define priorities and resources for heritage conservation and review heritage conservation processes in consultation with stakeholders through periodic program reviews. am Policy AC -37 Research and document heritage resources, including properties, streetscapes and patterns of development, traditional linkages and community character as a key part of Neighbourhood Planning. Policy AC -38 Maintain an up -to -date register of heritage properties within the City and to promote awareness of heritage resources. Policy AC -39 Endeavor to provide incentives for appropriate conservation of heritage properties. Policy AC -40 Consider, avoid and /or mitigate the impact of municipal projects on heritage resources. Policy AC -41 Support education and awareness of appropriate heritage conservation methods. Policy AC -42 Encourage and support the continued involvement of the community in heritage conservation and stewardship and recognize and honour contributions to the City's heritage resources. Policy AC -43 Ensure that historic places within designated Heritage Conservation Areas are conserved in accordance with the standards of the Saint John Heritage Conservation By -law. Policy AC -44 Ensure that new development within designated Heritage Conservation Areas meets the standards of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas By -law. Policy AC -45 Explore opportunities to adopt different Heritage Conservation standards to allow for more flexibility in the stewardship of built heritage resources. Policy AC -46 Ensure Urban Design Principles provide for new development adjacent to heritage sites and buildings is designed to complement heritage assets through appropriate form, materials and attention to detail. Policy AC -47 Explore alternative means to protect heritage resources such as new tools enabled under the New Brunswick Heritage Act and urban design guidelines to be developed in conjunction with neighbourhood plans. 199 11.10 Monitoring and Review Metrics It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies contained in this Municipal Plan. In order to achieve this goal, the City of Saint John will report annually to Common Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to: 1. Spending on arts, culture and heritage as a dollar value and as a percentage of the municipal budget; 2. The number of arts and cultural events, performances, activities and festivals per year; 3. The amount of public art and the value of municipally owned /commissioned public art; 4. The value of grants given by the Saint John Community Arts Funding Program and the leveraging of these grants for additional funding and support; 5. The number of properties in Heritage Conservation Areas and the number of Certificates of Appropriateness issued relative to the number of buildings designated; 6. The value of grants given by the CSJ, the value of conservation work done by the community and the leveraging of grants for additional funding for heritage conservation; 7. The increase in assessed value and tax base as a result of heritage conservation work in Heritage Conservation Areas; and 8. The number of immigrants and international students in Saint John and the number, kind and effectiveness of services offered to newcomers. 200 12. Implementation - Making the Plan Real PlanSJ set a clear direction for the City over the course of the next 25 years. This Plan represents the primary policy document to guide decision making for growth, development and investment within the City. To carry forward this direction, partnerships will be needed with neighbourhoods, the private sector, other partners and other levels of government. The implementation chapter is intended to establish the regulatory basis for the Plan, set the stage for a neighbourhood based planning program to implement the City -wide vision and define the various aspects of the plan monitoring program to ensure the Municipal Plan is a living document updated and reviewed on a regular basis, with measures to track the plan's success. Past Municipal Plans developed in the 1940's and 1973 were leading edge strategies in their time but lacked a coordinated monitoring program. Through the PlanSJ process, the community and Council have voiced the desire that a strong commitment is made to bring this Plan to life through a well- defined implementation and monitoring program that upholds the Plan's vision, but responds appropriately to changing community needs. 12.1 Goals The Implementation Goals are: 1. To ensure all future planning, regulation and decision making by the City aligns with the directions of the Municipal Plan. 2. To provide guidance on the future investment strategies for the City as required under the Community Planning Act. 3. To ensure the City understands the fiscal implications of development proposals that significantly impact the implementation on the Municipal plan. 4. To provide a framework for undertaking Neighbourhood Planning to implement the City -wide vision at the local level and continue the strong legacy of public outreach. 5. To establish a strong monitoring program to measure success of the Plan. 12.2 Governance Framework for Decision Making The Municipal Plan is the overall guiding document providing a regulatory framework for development and investment in the City. It builds on the Our Saint John Community Vision and Integrated Community Sustainability Plan adopted by Council in 2007, embedding many of the principles of these plans in a statutory framework for development. The Municipal Plan will be implemented through various regulatory documents including a new Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw which will be established following adoption of the Plan. Over the course of implementing this Plan, it is intended that all future by -laws align and support the goals of the Municipal Plan. Neighbourhood plans when developed, will be adopted as part of the Municipal Plan setting more detailed land use and design policies for neighbourhoods where significant growth and change is anticipated. Where there is a conflict between any provision in either the Zoning Bylaw or the Subdivision Bylaw, the Municipal Plan prevails. 201 Council shall: Policy 1 -1 Recognize the Municipal Plan as the primary document for guiding development and investment in the City. The Municipal Plan shall be used in decision making as follows: a. All forms of development approval including zoning amendments, land subdivision and construction shall be consistent with this Municipal Plan. b. The Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw shall contain regulations that implement the Municipal Plan. c. Other City Bylaws will support the implementation of this Plan. The City shall actively enforce its bylaws as required to support this Plan. d. The City's operating and capital budgets and service plans will support the implementation of this Plan. e. Neighbourhood plans may be prepared to address specific areas or issues in greater detail. All neighbourhood plans shall be in alignment with the Municipal Plan. Where there is conflict between a neighbourhood plan and this Plan, the neighbourhood plan shall prevail. 12.3 Development Approvals Chapter Three of this Plan sets out policies related to the future land use intent for all areas of the City and the planning approvals process for different categories of land use and development. In some cases, lands will not be pre -zoned for certain categories of development. The Plan will prescribe that certain types of development be considered through rezoning, amendment to the Zoning Bylaw or through a conditional approval to foster innovative development until such time that Neighbourhood Plans can be completed. In addition to the specific policies elsewhere in the Plan, there are general considerations that should be evaluated by the City in consideration of various planning applications. Council shall: Policy 1 -2 In considering amendments to the Zoning By -law or the imposition of terms and conditions, Council shall in addition to all other criteria set out in the various policies of this Plan, have regard to the following: a. That the proposal is in conformity with the goals, policies and intent of this Plan and the VG[Wa y een��O %dafinyR1q$YeYKa_Y 8 8PYra P*R996 by reason of: i. Financial inability of the City to absorb costs related to development and ensure efficient delivery of services and as determined through Policy 1 -7; ii. The adequacy of central sewage or water services and storm drainage measures; iii. Adequacy or proximity of school, recreation or other community facilities; iv. Adequacy of road networks leading to or adjacent to the development; and v. Potential for negative impacts to designated heritage buildings or sites. 202 c. That controls are placed on any proposed development where necessary to reduce any conflict with adjacent land uses by reason of: i. Type of use; ii. Height, bulk or appearance and lot coverage of any proposed building; iii. Traffic generation, vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle or transit access to and from the site; iv. Parking; v. Open storage; vi. Signs; and vii. Any other relevant matter of urban planning. d. That the proposed site is suitable in terms of steepness of grade, soil and geological conditions, locations of watercourses, wetlands and susceptibility of flooding as well as any other relevant environmental subject; e. That the proposal satisfies the terms and conditions of Policy 1 -5 related to timeframes and phasing of development; and f. That the proposal meets all necessary public health and safety considerations. 12.3.1 Existing Incompatible Uses Given the previous Municipal Plan had not been comprehensively reviewed since it was adopted in 1973, there exists many situations where lands were individually rezoned for incompatible land uses. Over time it is intended to encourage transition of incompatible land uses to more appropriate land uses. Council may, during the review of the Zoning Bylaw, establish special provisions for major existing developments which have made significant investments to allow such uses to continue under appropriate conditions. Policy 1 -3 Notwithstanding the Policies contained in this Plan, Council may establish special provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to recognize major developments in existence that do not conform with the Municipal Plan. Council shall review these provisions periodically in conjunction with comprehensive plan reviews referenced in Policy 1 -19. 12.3.2 Previously Approved Applications At the time of the writing of the Municipal Plan, a significant inventory of residential lots exist which have been approved by Council over the past several decades prior to the approval of this Plan, but not yet constructed. The Municipal Plan will support consideration of these requests on a case by case basis as part of the review of the Zoning Bylaw to determine whether the property should be zoned to accommodate the proposed use. Policy 1 -4 Following the Plan's adoption and during the development of a new Zoning Bylaw for the City of Saint John, Council shall consider each committed development on a case by case basis to determine whether the property will be zoned to accommodate the intended use. Council shall review the Zoning Bylaw periodically in conjunction with comprehensive plan reviews referenced in Policy 1 -19 to monitor the uptake on these previous approvals. 203 12.3.3 Timeframes and Phasing of Development Policy I -5 Where Common Council is of the view that an application to rezone land is speculative in nature and Council believes that the development, or in the case of a phased development, the first phase of the development is unlikely to be started within three years of the completion of the rezoning process, Council may require that the rezoning be subject to a development agreement which shall include provisions including but not limited to the following: a. That, in addition to any other securities or bonds Common Council considers appropriate under section 39(8) of the Community Planning Act, the applicant provide a certified cheque in the amount of $1000, to cover expenses relating to the cancellation of the agreement and /or repeal of the re- zoning. The $1000 security shall be repayable on completion of the development for which the re- zoning is granted; b. That construction of the development, or in the case of a phased development, the first phase of the development, shall be completed no later than five (5) years from the date the re- zoning comes into effect; c. That, if construction of the development or the first phase of the development has not been completed on the date referred to in (b) above, no further development shall be permitted; d. That, if construction of the development or the first phase of the development has not been completed on the date referred to in (b) above, Council shall immediately take steps to cancel the agreement and repeal the re- zoning pursuant to section 39(5) and 39(6) of the Community Planning Act; e. That, upon repeal of the re- zoning pursuant to section 39(5) and 39(6) of the Community Planning Act, the land to which the agreement pertains shall revert to the type of zone under which it fell before rezoning. Policy 1 -6 Common Council shall not consider applications to rezone land for development where Council believes that the development cannot reasonably be completed within ten (10) years of the coming into force of the re- zoning. 204 12.3.4 Fiscal Implications of Development The land use framework in the Municipal Plan is based on sound fiscal management which targets future growth in areas where the City can efficiently provide municipal services. As the Plan is implemented Council wishes to continue to evaluate the fiscal implications of major new developments. Policy 1 -7 Council shall have regard to the fiscal implications of all planning applications within its discretion. Policy 1 -8 Council may require a comprehensive fiscal analysis be undertaken at the developer's expense to assess the fiscal impacts of major development projects as part of its considerations of planning applications. For the purposes of this Policy, major development is defined as development proposals comprising 50 residential housing units or more than 5000 square metres of new non - residential building space or where any of the following conditions apply: a. the potential fiscal impact deficit is likely to be greater than 0.5% of the City's total tax levy as determined by the City; b. the total value of additional assessment resulting from the development exceeds $40 million; or c. the proposal poses a major challenge to the directions or goals of the City's Municipal Plan. Policy 1 -9 The fiscal impact analysis referenced in Policy 1 -8 shall address the following: a. an assessment of service costs including transportation (including transit), water, sewer, stormwater, police, and fire services; b. the impact on operating and capital budgets, and the financial implications related to the impact on the tax levy and utility rates; c. the ability of the development to financially and technically provide for the required servicing infrastructure in order to allow the development to proceed in a timely manner; and d. a qualitative assessment of financial liabilities that might arise from the development. 12.4 Investment Strategy: Service Plans and 5 year Capital Budget The Plan is intended to provide overall guidance to the City in setting the direction for service plans and budgets for City Departments, Boards and Commissions. As required under the Community Planning Act, a five year capital budget is to be included as an attachment to the Municipal Plan (note: the City will attach the five year capital budget for information when the Plan is considered for adoption. It is intended that this would be updated annually). Building on the vision for a more compact and sustainable Saint John, the Plan signals a shift in investment priorities for the City away from spending municipal resources on extensions of new hard infrastructure such as pipes and roads to outlying areas, to enhancing existing infrastructure in the core of the City. Over time this will enable the City in partnership with others to invest in enriching the quality of life for all Saint Johners. Key future priorities for the Plan include: ■ Implementation of Harbour Cleanup and Clean Drinking water strategies; 205 • Improvements to existing infrastructure like roads and underground infrastructure; • Service enhancements to transit and active transportation infrastructure; and • Upgrading of parks and streetscapes in targeted growth areas of this Plan. It is intended that these investments be strategically staged in conjunction with neighbourhood planning to support the revitalization of priority areas. The Plan also supports the provision of development incentive programs to foster innovative forms of development within designated intensification areas in the City. It is intended that development incentive programs be geared towards key public benefits such as encouraging denser projects within designated growth areas of the Plan. The Plan also provides other nonfinancial incentives such as improved clarity and predictability for development and removes many regulatory barriers which can act as a disincentive for developing in the core areas of the City. Policy 1 -10 Council shall ensure municipal investments align and support the implementation of the Plan by: a. Adopting service plans and budgets which support the Plan; b. Ensuring all major initiatives and capital works are determined in consideration of this Plan; c. Appending a five year capital budget for the physical development of the City to this Plan; d. Adopting a strategic and staged approach to municipal investment to implement the Plan in coordination with Neighbourhood Plans; and e. As required from time to time establishing programs to invent innovative development that implements the Plan. The Plan calls for a series of service plans that are intended to ensure the business practices of the City align with PIanSJ in various service areas. These are more specialized service based plans such as a transportation strategy, recreation strategy and economic development strategy that require additional study to support the implementation of PIanSJ. The purpose of a service plan is to guide the management of the City. They do not set out land use policy but rather reflect the City's intent to create management guides for setting budget priorities for programs, services and facilities consistent with the implementation of this Plan. This Plan provides a framework for undertaking a series of supporting service plans to implement various programmatic aspects of this Plan. The following service plan studies are identified as priorities over the long -term: • Stormwater Master Plan as per Policy LU -39 • Urban Design Plans as per Policy UD -18 • Industrial Parks Master Plan as per Policy EP -4 • Economic Development Service Plan as per Policy EP -10 • Climate Change Plan as per Policy NE -37 • Transportation Service Plan as per Policy TM -1 • Parks and Recreation Service Plan as per Policy CF -1 Policy 1 -11 As resources permit, Council shall undertake various service plans to implement the Plan. 206 12.5 Cooperation with other External Agencies and other Levels of Government The City regularly works with many other organizations, other levels of government and neighbouring municipalities in the delivery of services to its citizens. This Plan will require a strategic, cooperative approach with other levels of government and external agencies to foster collaboration and ultimately the realization of plan policies which are beyond the authority of the City to implement (e.g. affordable housing, school facilities, air and water quality, provincial roads, federal transportation lands). The Plan received approval from the Province and the City expects that Provincial decisions will support the implementation of the Municipal Plan. Although the jurisdiction of the Plan is the City of Saint John, there are many planning issues that transcend the City's borders. Saint John is the economic and cultural hub of the greater Saint John area and serves as a workplace and destination for many residents in the surrounding communities of Rothesay, Quispamsis, Grand Bay - Westfield, St. Martin's and unincorporated areas. The success of the greater Saint John region is tied to Saint John's success. The primary directive for this Plan is to enrich quality of life for Saint Johners by focusing on transforming and revitalizing the urban heart of the City, a vision which benefits the greater Saint John region and complements development strategies in neighbouring communities. Going forward, the City hopes to work in cooperation with its neighbours to achieve the elements of this Plan that would benefit from a regional approach. Council shall: Policy 1 -12 Work with the Provincial and Federal governments to implement those elements of the Plan which are beyond the City's jurisdiction such as affordable housing, education, environment and inter -city transportation. Policy 1 -13 Pursue partnerships with neighbouring municipalities to implement policies in the Municipal Plan which benefit from regional cooperation. 12.6 From City -wide to Neighbourhood based Planning The Plan supports a culture and legacy of planning, building on the successful community outreach for PIanSJ. This will be delivered primarily through a detailed area planning program for areas identified on Map B which will enable 'grass roots' planning that supports and aligns with the fundamental directions of PIanSJ. There are two different forms of Plans which will be carried out in these areas. Neighbourhood Plans are intended primarily for developed urban or suburban intensification areas which are largely residential in character. Structure Plans will be required for areas which are largely undeveloped and for areas that accommodate commercial and industrial growth. A unique process is recommended as the model for detailed area planning. This process would be form based, focused on design strategies for carrying forward the key ingredients of a complete community as advocated by the Municipal Plan. The process is envisioned as an intensive community based process typically involving shorter timeframes that a traditional municipal plan process (6 months to a year) to all allow significant progress to be made within the first 5 years of the Plan's implementation. The process will be designed to be holistic with all City Departments supporting the move from plan to action in a shorter period of time. Requirements for neighbourhood plans are identified and include sub - components addressing watershed and stormwater master plans, urban design studies, local transportation and active transportation strategies and plans for community improvements. 207 PlanSJ establishes criteria for determining which neighbourhoods receive early delivery of detailed area planning. The program will be established following the adoption of the Municipal Plan. The Municipal Plan will identify criteria for prioritizing which areas receive priority for more detailed area EouncI shall: Policy 1 -14 Develop detailed area plans to implement the City -wide vision for PlanSJ. The detailed area plans are intended to focus on areas anticipated to receive major growth and change as identified on Map B. Council intends to undertake detailed planning in these areas using the following two planning tools: a. Neighbourhood Plans for areas which comprise existing largely residential neighbourhoods which are targeted for intensification; b. Structure Plans for areas which comprise employment lands which are targeted for predominantly commercial growth or comprise undeveloped lands targeted for growth. Policy 1 -15 Prioritize areas for detailed planning by considering the following: a. Potential and opportunity for growth and change; b. Areas where there is a need to undertake redevelopment, reuse, or reinvestment to stem decline; c. Areas where there is a need to address a wide range of planning issues in a comprehensive manner; d. Areas have planning issues which strategically affect the City as a whole; e. Significant improvement opportunity for the entire community; f. Areas which contain significant incompatible land uses; g. Area has potential development projects that could act as catalysts for positive investment is social and economic infrastructure; and h. Areas where community organization and capacity exists. Policy 1 -16 Consider the following with respect to detailed area planning processes: a. How to ensure that development within the centre supports walking and transit and integrates transit with the density and mix of surrounding land uses; b. How the direction for the Municipal Plan are achieved in terms of creating opportunities for compact, complete communities with opportunities for people to live close to centres with access to transit, shops, services and schools; c. Opportunities for incorporating community gathering and commercial space within the focal points of each centre; d. The development of urban design guidelines and heritage strategies to foster a sense of place and ensure design of the built environment and public spaces achieves the objectives of this plan for high quality human scale environment; e. Development of stormwater management plans or other measures for protecting significant natural features as deemed appropriate; 1: f. In the case of Structure Plans, development of infrastructure plans and cost sharing agreements for the provision of future transportation and water and sewer servicing infrastructure; g. The development of a community improvement plan with priorities for capital investment in neighbourhoods and partnerships to move the Plan from plan to action; h. Any other mechanism to strengthen the centre's role as both a destination and a place to live. 12.7 Plan Monitoring Program The Plan sets a clear direction of how the City should grow and change over the course of the next 25 years. To ensure its success, the Plan needs to be a living document that undergoes regular monitoring and review to ensure it is fulfilling the vision and considers changes to underlying assumptions or economic conditions. A plan monitoring program is envisioned which will enable the Municipal Plan to be comprehensively reviewed every 5 years going beyond the requirements of the Community Planning Act. Further to this, the Plan proposes an annual report card which is intended to provide improved transparency and accountability for the Plan's implementation, providing regular updates on the plan's success. The annual review will also provide an opportunity to consider any non - substantive or technical changes to the Plan. The five year review is intended to address substantive changes. The performance measures outlined in this Plan will be the basis for review and monitoring of the Plan. The Plan establishes a commitment to ongoing community engagement as part of the monitoring and tracking of the Plan's success. In the process of implementing the Plan there also may be a need for amendments to address emerging land use and regulatory issues. The City will ensure a process to enable the public, community groups landowners, other agencies and stakeholders to propose changes to the Plan and its implementing by -laws. Council shall: Policy 1 -17 Commit to a regular reviewing and monitoring of the policies contained in this Plan. Opportunities for public input shall be incorporated into the plan monitoring and review program. Policy 1 -18 Further to Policy 1 -17, conduct an annual review to: a. report to the public on annual progress towards achieving the goals of the Plan. b. consider any proposed amendments that are minor in nature that do not involve substantive changes to the Plan. Policy 1 -19 Further to Policy 1 -17, conduct a five year review to consider amendments: a. That could be considered as part of the annual review; b. That relate to substantive changes to this Plan; c. That relate to the monitoring of growth targets and Plan monitoring performance measures as set out in this Plan. 209 The Plan is a living document and may be amended from time to time to address changing conditions or unforeseen circumstances. It is critical that future changes be weighed against the fundamental directions and goals of this plan. Specifically the Plan will recognize the potential for significant "game changing" trends, events or developments to emerge given the nature of Saint John's economy. In accordance with policies in the land use section of the Plan, the Plan will enable consideration of further changes and will establish conditions and criteria under which such amendments to the plan will be considered. Policy 1 -20 Notwithstanding the foregoing policies, where a proposed amendment addresses unforeseen circumstances or is deemed by Council to confer significant public, economic, social or cultural impact to the City, such amendments may be proposed from time to time provided the following criteria are met: a. Studies demonstrate the project will have significant long term benefit for the City and does not place an undue fiscal burden on the City or have a detrimental impact on the B. I he Iprojec��ulfi�ls'other key goals of this Plan; c. Appropriate opportunities are provided for public input into the consideration of such amendments of the Plan. 12.8 Public Participation Council shall: Policy 1 -21 Continue to improve opportunities for ongoing involvement by the public in municipal government and its decision making, including but not limited to, Common Council and Council Committees, Boards and Commissions, town hall meetings, newsletters and electronic media. Policy 1 -22 Enhance community awareness and outreach of the Municipal Plan and planning matters in general through its Neighbourhood Planning program and ongoing improvements to its planning processes. 210 12.9 Monitoring & Metrics for Implementation: It is a goal of the Municipal Plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of policies contained in this Municipal Plan. In order to achieve this goal, the City of Saint John will report annually to Common Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to: 1. Adoption of new Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw. 2. Enforcement of Bylaws. 3. Reductions in Non - Conforming uses. 4. Adoption of Detailed Area Plans. 5. Completion of Plan Reviews. 211 GLOSSARY Active Transportation —The different modes of transportation that rely on human -power rather than machine - power. These may include cycling, walking, running and skateboarding. Amendment — A change made to a previously adopted policy or by -law. Archaeological Site — A place in the Province where evidence of past human activities, such as archaeological objects and features, is discovered on, buried or partially buried beneath the land, or submerged or partially submerged beneath the surface of a watercourse or permanent body of water. Arterial Street — A Street with a minimum road allowance width of eighty -six feet and whose function is the movement of large volumes of all types of vehicular traffic at medium to high speeds. Audible Pedestrian Signal —Accessible pedestrian signals (APS), formerly known as audible pedestrian signals, advise pedestrians who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf -blind when they have the right -of -way to cross at a signalized intersection and in which direction they may cross the gicy&$arking — An area used for the purpose of parking or storing bicycles. Building Permit — A permit required for new construction, or adding on to pre- existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Built Form — Refers to the form of a building; what it looks like, how tall it is, how much of the lot it takes up, how far it is set back from the sidewalk and street and its architectural style. Business Centres and Business Parks - Existing locations of concentrated office, research and development, or institutional /educational uses, and associated uses. Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) — Area consisting of one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a major urban core. A census metropolitan area must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more live in the urban core. Character Corridors — Areas chosen for investment in quality streetscaping, the public realm, and urban design in order to strengthen the quality of place. Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) — A committee established to advise Common Council on the development of the City's 25 -year comprehensive municipal plan. The committee's primary role is to formulate recommendations to Council during each phase of the development of the City's Growth Management Strategy and Municipal Plan. City Council — The elected legislative body that governs the City of Saint John. City Structure — Refers to the way places are arranged and provides guidance on the relative role and hierarchy of the land uses. Collector Street — A roadway with a minimum width of sixty -six feet and which is used primarily for collecting traffic from local streets and channeling it to arterial streets. Combined Storm and Sanitary Sewer System — A type of sewer system that collects sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff in a single pipe system. Commercial Corridors — Areas identified in the Municipal Plan as appropriate locations for intensified land use and investment. 212 Community Centres — A building or buildings or any part of any buildings used for community activities whether used for commercial purposes or not, the control of which is vested in the Municipality, a local board or agent thereof. Community Parks — serve a larger population than Neighbourhood Parks and are accessible to residents by walking, public transit or by vehicle. These parks are programmed to offer a variety of recreational and leisure opportunities both structured and unstructured and have a catchment area radius of 3 kilometres. Compact Development — Development that uses less land than conventional development thereby restricting a city's footprint. Complementary Industries — Industries that are part of the chain of production in producing a final product. Output from one industry provides the input for another industry until the final product is created. Complete Communities — Communities that meet people's needs for daily living throughout an entire lifetime by providing convenient access to an appropriate mix of jobs, local services, a full range of housing, and community infrastructure including affordable housing, schools, recreation and open space for their residents. Convenient access to public transportation and options for safe, non - motorized travel is also provided. Cultural Landscape — Distinct geographical areas or properties that uniquely represent "the combined work of nature and man ". Density — The maximum number of dwelling units allowed by this By -law based on lot area. Employment Areas — Lands set aside to support future economic growth. Environmentally Sensitive Areas — Land and water areas containing natural features or ecological features of sufficient significance and value to the community to warrant their long -term protection. Federal Transportation Lands — Property owned by the Government of Canada and used for transportation purposes and which are outside the jurisdiction of the City of Saint John. This includes the Port of Saint John and the Saint John Airport. Flood Plain — An area of land below the 100 year floodline as established by the Department of Environment and Local Government or as described in the Saint John Flood Risk Bylaw. Garden Suites — An accessory dwelling to a principal residence which intended for the sole occupancy of one or two persons who are typically related to the occupants of the main dwelling. Gross Residential Density per Hectare — Number of units per hectare calculated by dividing unit yield by gross residential land area. Lands included in this calculation include schools, local roads, parks, commercial uses, institutional buildings, stormwater management facilities and open space but not including major transportation corridors, major open space and regional facilities. Growth Strategy — Part of the PlanSJ process that lay the foundation for the new Municipal Plan by describing the physical pattern of land uses in the future City. Harbour Clean -Up — An infrastructure initiative by the City that aims to bring a complete stop to the practice of discharging raw sewage into the harbor and watercourses by 2012. Heavy Industrial — Industries which may or may not create a nuisance, including noise, heavy truck traffic, smoke, dust, heat, particulate matter, or highly visible outdoor storage, discernible beyond the property line. 213 Heritage Conservation Areas — An area identified as being of historical, natural, archaeological or cultural heritage value or interest, and designated as a Heritage Conservation District pursuant to Section 55 of the Heritage Conservation Act and /or the Saint John Heritage Conservation Bylaw. Historic Sites — The traditional, documented or legendary location of an event, occurrence, action or structure significant in the life or lives of a person, persons, group or tribe. Infill — Directing new development into established built -up areas, resulting in an increase in building stock. Infrastructure — Physical structures that form the foundation for development including public sewage and water systems and storm -water disposal systems. Intensification Areas —Areas intended to accommodate the majority of residential growth and change as well as a mix of commercial and other land uses where appropriate. Land Budget — Prepared by municipalities to review long term land needs for employment and residential uses. Land Use — The use of land by humans. Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as fields, pastures, and settlements. Land Use Designations — Geographic- specific land use categories. They have associated sets of land use and management policies that are applied to specific areas. Some land use designations are established in legislation (e.g., provincial park and conservation reserve) while other designations such as enhanced management area have been established through the approval of policy documents. (Ontario MNR) Land Use Policy — Policies that include general land use intent as well as permitted and restricted uses in an area (e.g., public road use, new commercial tourism) and selective guidelines associated with some land uses. Policies are derived from legislation, broad government direction, approved policy, and land use and resource management plans. LEED Certification — An internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third -party verification that a building or community was designed and built according to strict standards that promote resource management and environmental sustainability. Life -cycle Cost /Benefit Analysis — An analysis of the costs and benefits of a project over the entire course of its useful life. Light Industrial — Industries which generally do not create nuisances discernible beyond the property line. Local Centre — Areas that will encourage the development of a mix of urban land uses that support the development of a high quality streetscape and transit corridor with an emphasis on community -scale commercial uses. Mixed -use Building —A building containing a mix of residential, commercial, community and /or institutional use. Multi -modal —The availability or use of more than one form of transportation, such as automobiles, walking, cycling, buses, rapid transit, rail (such as commuter and freight), trucks, air and marine. Municipal Plan — A statutory policy document that describes the intended location and character of future development as identified in the Growth Strategy, in addition to policy for other important planning matters. 214 Municipal Servicing — Services such as public streets, storm sewers, sanitary sewage and water systems designed and capable of servicing a lot and provided for by the municipality. National Heritage Site — or National Historic Site is a place that has been designated by the Minister of the Environment as being of national historic significance. Natural and Rural Areas — Areas protected from development, with the exception of some resource development. Neighbourhood Parks — are intended to serve the residents that live within a neighbourhood, are typically accessible by walking and have a catchment area radius of 0.8 kilometres. Neighbourhood Plan — A statutory planning document, adopted as policy or an amendment within the Municipal Plan and which provides a vision and detailed land use plan for a neighbourhood. New Brunswick Community Planning Act — The Provincial Act that establishes the jurisdiction and responsibilities of municipalities within the province of New Brunswick to undertake planning and related activities. Non - Conforming Use —In accordance with the Community Planning Act, uses legally in existence on the date of the Plan which are not consistent with the land use policies of this Plan, are recognized and approved as a non - conforming use. In order for the use to continue to legally exist, the use must not be discontinued for a period of more than ten months or damaged by fire in more than half of the building(s). Park and Ride — Car parks usually found in suburbs and at the edges of cities with connections to public transport that allow commuters to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system, or carpool for the rest of their trip. Parking Standards — Standards established within the Zoning By -law that set out minimum requirements for parking. Parks & Natural Areas — Lands identified as inappropriate for any form of development, including resource use. Place of Worship — A building dedicated to religious workshop and includes a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or assembly hall and may include such accessory uses as a nursery school, a school of religious education, convent monastery or parish hall. Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) — A nine member committee appointed by Common Council that provides advice on applications to amend the Municipal Development Plan, the Zoning By -law, or Section 39 conditions. PlanSJ — A two year planning process launched by the City in 2009 to create a new Municipal Plan in order to guide the development of Saint John over the next 25 years. Primary Centres — Areas designated to contain the highest densities and most complex and concentrated mix of land uses in the City. Primary Corridors — Areas identified for improved transit, active transportation, and in some cases, intensified land use. Primary Development Area (PDA) —The portion of the City of Saint John with existing roads, water and sewer services, as outlined in the Municipal Plan. Most new employment growth and approximately 95% of new residential growth will be directed inside the Primary Development Area. 215 Priority Neighbourhoods - Refers to the five neighbourhoods within the urban core of Saint John including the old North end, Crescent Valley, the South end, Waterloo Village and the Lower West side. In these neighbourhoods a significant concentration of poverty exists and all levels of government and the community sector are focusing services and investment to support community and social development and positive transformation of these areas. Public Realm — Public space between private buildings, including pavements, streets, squares, parks and so on that are accessible to all members of the public. Public Transit — A public transportation system for moving passengers Quality of Life — The general well -being of individual Saint Johners and of the community as a whole. Recreational Facility — A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, leisure time activities and other customary and usual recreational activities. Regional Parks — are the largest parks in the classification system and attract residents and tourists from the Saint John region and beyond. They typically provide both structured and unstructured recreational opportunities as well as a wide range of specialized uses. Regional Retail Centres - Large- format retail and service concentrations in the City. Rezoning — An amendment or change to the zoning ordinance. Rezoning Process — The process undertaken to amend or change the zoning ordinance. Ribbon Development —The building of houses in a continuous row along a main road. Right -of -Way — An area of land that is legally described in a registered deed for the provision of private access on which there is usually a lane. Riparian Areas — The interface between land and a river or stream. Rural Industrial Areas — Areas outside the Primary Development Area (PDA) that have existing industrial development. Rural Natural Areas — Areas outside the Primary Development Area (PDA) that have not been designated for development. Rural Residential Areas — Areas outside the Primary Development Area (PDA) that have existing low- density residential development that are not located in any of the three Rural Settlement Areas. Rural Resource Areas — Areas outside the Primary Development Area (PDA) that have existing pits and quarries, forestry uses and other forms of resource use. Rural Settlement Areas — Areas outside the Primary Development Area (PDA) that consist of the existing, historic communities of South bay - Martinon to Ketepec, Lorneville and Treadwell Lake. Secondary Suite — An additional dwelling unit accommodated within a principal residence on a property that would normally accommodate only one dwelling unit. Serviced Areas — Areas that have been provided Municipal Servicing Service Plans — These are more specialized studies such as a transportation strategy, recreation strategy and economic development strategy that guide the management of the City. They are operational guides for setting budget priorities for programs, services and facilities consistent with the implementation of this Plan. Stable Commercial — Commercial areas that are expected to evolve naturally over the planning period. 216 Stable Communities —Areas within the Primary Development Area that are not expected to experience major development but will evolve naturally over the planning period. Stable Residential — Residential areas that are expected to evolve naturally over the planning period. Streetscape —The scene as may be observed along a public street, composed of natural and man -made components including buildings, paving, planting, street hardware and miscellaneous structures. Street wall height refers to the height of the base of a building as it rises from the sidewall level. To ensure a comfortable human scales street enclosure, generally street walls should be approximately three to five stories and generally no greater than a height that is a 1:1 ratio of the width of the street as measured from building face to building face. Subdivision — The process (and the result) of dividing a parcel of raw land into smaller buildable sites, blocks, streets, open space and public areas and the designation of the location of utilities and other improvements. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) —A set of strategies that results in more efficient use of the transportation system by influencing travel behaviour by mode, time of day, frequency, trip length, regulation, route, or cost. Examples include: carpooling, vanpooling, and shuttle buses; parking management; site design and on -site facilities that support transit and walking; bicycle facilities and programs; pricing (road tolls or transit discounts); flexible working hours; telecommuting; high occupancy vehicle lanes; park- and -ride; incentives for ride - sharing, using transit, walking and cycling; initiatives to discourage drive -alone trips by residents, employees, visitors, and enure s' is the form of right or title under which real property is held, an example being owned or rented housing. Uptown Waterfront refers to the portion of the City's waterfront area as defined by the Inner Harbour plan to include lands along the water's edge generally west of Water street from the Harbour Bridge south to Courtney Bay port lands including the former Sugar Refinery site. For the purposes of the Plan the Uptown waterfront is subject to policies in the Uptown Primary centre designation as well as other applicable policies in the Urban Design Chapter of the Plan. Some lands within this area are owned by the Port Authority and therefore are designated as the Federal Transportation overlay to reflect that they are within Federal jurisdiction. Urban Design — The arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space. Urban Design Principles — Principles which capture the City -wide urban design elements in which the City seeks to guide and direct development to adhere to. Urban Fabric — The physical form of towns and cities. Urban Reserve — Areas within the Primary Development Area that have been set aside to meet the need for future urban expansion. Utilities — are facilities and buildings which provide necessary transmission, support or other functions to deliver electricity, gas, telecommunications and other utilities to properties. Watercourses —The full width and length, including the bed, banks, sides and shoreline, or any part, of a river, creek, stream, spring, brook, lake, pond, reservoir, canal, ditch or other natural or artificial channel open to the atmosphere, the primary function of which is the conveyance or containment of water whether the flow be continuous or not. Waterfront — The part of the City fronting or abutting on a body of water. 217 Watershed —The surface area contained within a divide above a specific point on a river, stream, creek or other flowing body of water. Zoning By -law — A tool used in land use planning to regulate the type of development and uses permitted on a lot. 218 MAPS & SCHEDULES Maps for Information Purposes A - Vision B - Areas for Detailed Planning Schedules A - City Structure B - Land Use C - Transportation 219 220 PART II - NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS 221 222 UNBSJ Plateau University Avenue Corridor North Retail & Commercial Node � .t•' Millidgeville Centre i n �i 1. r `. Lorneville I 't , � i 'fir a 223 R �4 F 1L W -.� Map A - Vision Geay° � � CJ � s �: wr C3 a 0 Q 224 4 Havre de Saint John Harbour V �361 t A. O'KII, lam/ 1� z *0 to 0 Map B - Areas For Detailed Planning N DRAFT E S' 0 305 610 1,220 Meters " Map created bythe City of Saint John GIS Division Carte produite par la division s.i.g. de The City of Saint John ©2011 The City of Saint John ,L;AIN'I JOHN 9 ky / F E �' / ova- SMans`.I� / / / ,a �� .• /. / • / • S Rockwood PaM — r� e� — Rd _ XXX Q t o r � U awn • j I � ' Irving Nat. I � � F 1 I �Y J / o • � pR Schedule A - City Structure Map qb INTENSIFICATION AREAS EMPLOYMENT AREAS RURAL AREAS CORRIDORS OTHER LAND USE Primary Centre Primary Centre Parks & Natural Areas - Primary Corridor Primary Development St John F M Area Boundary JLocal Centre Regional Retail Centre Rural Resource Areas 0000 Character Corridor Stable Areas Federal J • Transpor - Mixed Use Centre Employment Area Rural Settlement Areas Commercial Corridor Urban Reserve - Waterbo -Urban Neighbourhood Rural Industrial Areas Intensification Area Rail -Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Area 225 J r f 6 P a nn C �J a a _ JF 4 o W � Y a r n D W ' o-+ �J x OL _ s /� l� c� B a i e Grand Bay ED T ^� f Baie de Fundy / Bay of Fundy Please note: This is a work in progress Draft of the Future Land Use map which is being released for external public review prior to Saint John Common Council's consideration for legal adoption w A �r I • c f , 1 G� Havre de Saint John Harbour t \� _--------------- - - - - -- --------------------------- f r .w k� r s� A r • e AW Schedule B - Future Land Use r Q� i 4 �y A R 6 a a 60 0 d V 1.11 0 8 Boundary Employment Areas Rural Areas Other Areas PDA - Regional Retail Centre Rural Settlement Federal Transportation Intensification Areas - Business Centre Rural Resource - Major Community Facility Low Density Residential Stable Commercial Rural Industrial Park and Natural Areas Low to Medium Density Residential Heavy Industrial ■ Rural Residential Stable Residential Medium to High Density Residential Light Industrial Urban Reserve Primary Centre Corridors Primary Centre & Federal Transportation Overlay Commercial Local Centre CMixed Use Centre 226 G 0 8 DRAFT 0 1 2 4 Km Map created by the City of Saint John GIS Division Carte produite par la division s.i.g. de The City of Saint John SAINT JOHN ©2011 The City of Saint John O i S a a F n u � 4 i fq`a lr -t, {I 6 4 7 �`} 0 .-t n 6 �✓ LIP: B a i e Grand Bay 9 J di p d7 4--.1 Baie de Fundy / Bay of Fundy i 0 Havre de Saint John Harbour l � b p V 227 0 o:0 C� a I 4 ` a o � Y b r O D � g h } fl �f P 0 0 r G Schedule C - Road Network Freeway Arterial Collector Local N DRAFT S� 0 1 2 4 I I I I I I I Kilometers Map created by the City of Saint John GIS Division Carte produite par la division s.i.g. de The City of Saint John ©2011 The City of Saint John SAINT JOHN