MUNICIPAL PLAN - Consolidation November 2025
CityofSaintJohn
MunicipalPlan
2011
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ConsolidatedtoNovember2025
City ofSaint John Municipal Plan
AmendeduptoandincludingamendingBy-lawC.P.106-42
NOTE
ThiscopyoftheCityofSaintJohnMunicipalPlanhasbeenpreparedfortheconvenienceoftheuser.Itis
intended to be updated on a regular basis. For official purposes reference should be made to the original
Municipal Plan By-law and subsequent amendments.
BY-LAWS
No.DescriptionEnactedRegistryOffice
C.P.106MunicipalPlan2012-01-302012-02-21
No. 31175376
C.P.106-01 Amend Schedules A & B (Re: 3795 Loch Lomond2012-10-222012-12-03
Road, Abigail Place & 356 Eldersley Avenue) No. 32227341
C.P.106-02 AmendSchedules A& B (Re: 700MillidgeAvenue) 2013-06-102013-07-11
No. 32870470
C.P.106-03 AmendSchedules A &B (Re:LornevilleHarbour) 2013-06-102013-07-11
No. 32870355
C.P.106-04 AmendSchedulesA& B (Re:220GlenRoad)2013-07-152013-08-28
No. 33041535
C.P.106-05 AmendSchedules A&B(Re:Commerce 2013-10-152013-12-18
Drive,Consumers Drive & Mark Drive)No. 33422156
C.P.106-06 AmendSchedules A&B(Re:1006 Latimore Lake 2014-01-06 2014-02-17
Road)No. 33553448
C.P.106-07 AmendSchedulesA&B(Re:1808HickeyRoad)2014-11-24 2015-01-21
No. 34562893
C.P.106-08 Amendindustrial policies;adopt new Schedule A &B2014-12-15 2015-01-21
No. 34562943
C.P.106-09 AmendSchedulesA& B (Re:2086OceanWestway)2015-02-162015-03-25
No. 34702887
C.P.106-10 AmendSchedulesA& B (Re: 170AshburnLake 2015-06-222015-07-29
Road)No. 35084467
C.P.106-11 AmendSchedulesA& B(Re:655and765 2015-12-212016-02-09
Latimore Lake Road)No. 35675454
C.P.106-12 Amend Schedules A & B (Re: 459, 617-885 and 2016-04-18 2016-06-01
540-900 Ashburn Road & One Mile Inter-change)No. 33553448
C.P.106-13 AmendSchedulesA & B(Re: 55UniversityAve)2016-06-13
2016-07-18
No.36134386
C.P.106-14 AmendScheduleB(Re: 180CosyLakeRoad)2017-06-12
2017-11-08
No.37549921
C.P.106-15 AmendSchedulesA & B (Re:384 Lancaster 2018-05-222018-08-30
Avenue)
No. 38342094
C.P.106-16 AmendSchedules A&B(Re:179-185 Golden2019-04-252019-05-01
Grove Road)No. 38985033
C.P.106-17 AmendSchedule B(Re: 40MountainView Drive)2019-04-232019-06-03
No. 39077350
C.P.106-18AmendRegionalRetailCentrepolicies2019-06-172019-08-01
No.39282463
C.P.106-19AmendSchedulesA&B(Re:1007-1019 Millidge 2019-06-172019-08-07
Ave)No.39294377
C.P.106-20AmendEnergyandLandUsepoliciesforGreen 2019-10-212019-11-20
Energy DevelopmentNo.39635165
C.P.106-21AmendSchedulesA&B(Re:348AcamacBackland 2019-12-022020-01-31
Road)No.39829834
C.P.106-222020-01-132020-02-13
Central Peninsula Secondary Pla n(Schedule D)
No.39862306
C.P 106-23Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 251-361 Riverview Drive)2020-06-222020-10-28
No. 40616816
C.P 106-24Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 2304-2310 Ocean 2020-12-142021-03-12
Westway)No. 41062143
C.P 106-25Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 2100 Sandy Point Road)2021-04-062021-12-10
No. 42110099
C.P 106-26Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 695 Somerset Street)2021-06-142021-10-27
No. 41928731
C.P 106-27Amend Land Use Policies for Sommerset Business 2021-09-202021-11-03
ParkNo. 41960999
Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 60 Technology Drive)
C.P 106-28Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 15 Broadway Avenue)2021-10-182021-11-09
No. 41986614
C.P 106-29Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 1556 Manawagonish 2022-10-172022-11-23
Road) No. 43352534
C.P 106-30Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 1461 Manawagonish 2022-11-012022-12-06
Road)No. 43401695
C.P 106-31Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 1440 Loch Lomond Road)2024-02-202024-10-03
No. 45392363
C.P 106-32Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 241-281 Douglas Avenue2024-05-272024-09-23
No. 45355915
C.P 106-33Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 901 Foster Thurston 2024-06-242024-09-23
Drive)No. 45356632
C.P 106-34Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 0 Nason Road / Martha 2024-10-152025-03-17
Avenue)No. 45889665
C.P 106-35Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 0 Alloy Drive)2025-01-132025-05-20
No. 46076213
C.P 106-36Amend Schedule A & B (Re: Sunnyside Avenue)2025-02-242025-03-25
No. 45911808
C.P 106-37Amend Schedule A & B (Re:0 Bayside Drive)2025-04-07
C.P 106-38Amend Land Use Policiesfor Spruce Lake Industrial 2025-07-072025-09-04
Park DevelopmentNo. 46431277
Amend Schedule A & B (Re: Sprue Lake Industrial
Park)
C.P 106-39Amend Schedule B (Re: 160 Cosy Lake Road)2025-06-162025-09-04
No. 46430733
C.P 106-40Amend Schedule A & B (Re: 1384 Latimore Lake 2025-07-282025-12-22
Road) No. 46806353
C.P 106-41Amend Schedule B (Re: 500 Pelton Road)2025-07-282025-11-13
No. 46675519
Amend Rural ReAmend Rural Resource Area and Energy Efficiency 2025-10-20
Policies for Solar Energy Development
C.PC.P106106106---4242
Acknowledgements
PlanSJ setsa newdirectionforSaint John’sfuturelookingforward
to 2035. Key to the process to develop the Municipal Plan was
the significant volunteer effort of the PlanSJ Citizen Advisory
Committee (CAC), a thirteen member committee made up of
ten Saint Johners, two members of Council and a member of
the City’s Planning Advisory Committee.The Committee acted
as champions for the Municipal Plan guiding the success of the
extensive PlanSJ community engagement process.
CACMembers
The Committee met regularly throughout the two year process
AnneMcShane
to develop the Municipal Plan. They are to be commended for
Gerry Lowe
pushing the envelope of this Municipal Plan towards a bold and
Carl Killen
innovative vision for the City’s future. They acted as community
ambassadorsofthePlan,activelypromotingpublicinvolvement
MokhatariaBenhatchi
and considering all of the inputs from the community and from the
Jennifer Nichols
extensive research completed throughout the process. The PlanSJ
Andrew Miller
CAC has fulfilled its mandate to Common Council, delivering a
leading edge, “made in Saint John” Municipal Plan which leaves
Sara Mudge
a strong legacy for the future.It is with the greatest respect that
Dave Drinnan
we acknowledge their tremendous commitment to this process.
Derrick Mitchell
The City also wishes to recognize the commitment made by the
thousands of community members who actively participated in
ShawnPeterson
PlanSJ, ensuring that this Plan captured the vision, hopes and
Ann Crozier
passion citizens have for Saint John.
BarryHarbinson
The work of the CAC was supported by a PlanSJ Steering
Peter McGuire
Committee made up of senior staff across the organization along
Patty Higgins
with a dedicated team of professional planners. They provided
valuable technical expertise, ensuring that the Plan creates a
Heather Quinn
solidfoundationforguidingtheCity’s operationsin all areaswhich
support PlanSJ. The team wishes to acknowledge their leadership
on behalf of the organization in ensuring this is truly an integrated
and holistic Plan which will guide the management of the City for
many years to come.
TableofContents
ExecutiveSummary1
1 Introduction7
1.1 Purpose of the Municipal Plan 8
1.2 Saint John Context, Issues & Opportunities 9
1.2.1 How much Growth to Accommodate? 12
1.2.2 Why the City Needs a Municipal Plan 13
1.3 PlanSJ: Creating the Municipal Plan 16
1.4 PlanSJ Vision & Directions for Growth & Change 18
1.4.1 PlanSJ Directions 19
1.5 Legislative Basis of the Municipal Plan 26
1.6 Organization of the Municipal Plan 27
1.7 How to Read the Municipal Plan 28
2 City Structure 31
2.1 City Structure Goals 34
2.2 City Structure 35
2.3 The Primary Development Area 37
2.3.1 Intensification Areas 37
2.3.2 Employment Areas 39
2.3.3 Corridors 40
2.3.4 Other Areas 43
2.4 The Rural Areas 44
2.5 Lands Common to the Primary Development Area and 45
the Rural Areas 45
3 Land Use 47
3.1 Future Land Use Goals 50
3.2 Future Land Use 51
3.3 Land Use Designations 52
& City Structure 52
3.4 Establishment of the Primary Development Area 54
3.5 Land Uses within the Primary Development Area 55
3.5.1 Intensification Areas 56
Uptown Primary Centre 59
Uptown Waterfront 62
Uptown Primary Centre Neighbourhood Plan 65
UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre 66
Local Centre 68
Mixed Use Centre 68
Residential Density 69
General Residential Policies 70
MediumtoHighDensityResidential70
Low to Medium Density Residential 71
Low Density Residential 73
3.5.2 Employment Areas 74
Regional Retail Centre 75
Mcallister Regional Retail Centre 77
Fairville Boulevard Regional Retail Centre 77
Business Centres 78
Stable Commercial 80
Industrial Areas 81
General Industrial Policies 81
Heavy Industrial Areas 82
Light Industrial Areas 83
3.5.3Corridors84
3.5.4 Other Areas 86
Stable Residential 86
Major Community Facilities 87
Urban Reserve 88
3.6 LandUse Designations outside
the Primary Development Area 89
3.6.1 Rural Areas 89
General Policies 90
Rural Resource Area 90
Rural Settlement Area 92
Rural Residential Area 93
Rural Industrial Area 94
3.7 Land Use Designations Common
to the Primary Development Area
& the Rural Area 95
3.7.1 Common Land Use Designations 95
ParkandNaturalAreas96
Federal Transportation 96
3.8GeneralLandUsePolicies98
Ancillary Development 98
Office Development 98
Vehicular-Oriented Uses 98
Community Facilities 99
Non-Conforming Uses 100
3.9 LandUse Monitoring
& Review Metrics 101
4 Urban Design 103
4.1 Urban Design Goals 106
4.2 The Public Realm 107
4.2.1 Uptown Waterfront 109
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
4.3 Urban Design & Built Form 111
4.3.1 General Urban Design Principles 111
4.3.2 Urban Design Principles for Stable Areas 114
4.3.3 Urban Design Principles for Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas and Primary Centres 115
4.3.4 Urban Design Principles for the Uptown Waterfront 117
4.3.5 Urban Design Principles for Employment Areas 119
4.3.6 Urban Design Principles for Rural Settlement
and Rural Residential Areas 120
4.4 Building Urban Design
Awareness & Success 120
4.5 Urban Design Monitoring
& Review Metrics 121
5Neighbourhoods&Housing123
5.1 Neighbourhoods & Housing Goals 126
5.2 General Housing Policies 127
5.3 Affordable Housing 128
5.4 Supportive Housing 129
5.5 Boarding & Rooming Houses 129
5.6 Secondary Suites 130
& Garden Suites 130
5.7 Home Occupations 130
5.8 Daycare Facilities 131
5.9 Manufactured Housing 131
5.10 Home-based Tourist Accommodation 132
5.11 Vacant Residential Properties 132
5.12 Neighbourhoods & Housing
Monitoring & Review Metrics 133
6 Economic Prosperity 135
6.1 Economic Prosperity Goals 138
6.2 Improving Quality of Life 139
6.3 Economic Diversification 140
6.4 Sustainable Economic
Development 141
6.5 Workforce Development 142
6.6 Tourism 143
6.7 An Economic Development
Strategy for the City 143
6.8 Economic Prosperity Monitoring
& Review Metrics 145
7 Natural Environment & Energy 147
7.1 Natural Environment & Energy Goals 150
7.2 Environmental Sustainability 151
7.3 Air Quality 152
7.4 Water Quality 153
7.5 Natural Areas & Land 155
7.6 Flooding & Stormwater
Management 157
7.7 Local Food 158
7.8 Energy Efficiency 159
7.9 Climate Change 159
7.10 Natural Environment & Energy Monitoring & Review Metrics
161
8 Transportation & Mobility 163
8.1Transportation&MobilityGoals166
8.2 General Transportation Policies 167
8.3 Active Transportation 169
8.4 Public Transit 172
8.5 Roadway Infrastructure 174
8.6 Accessibility 178
8.7 Parking 179
8.8 Taxi Service 181
8.9 Inter-City Bus Service 181
8.10 Goods & Freight Movement 182
8.11 Rail Transport 183
8.12 Air Transport 184
8.13 Port Transport 185
8.14 Transportation & Mobility
Monitoring & Review Metrics 186
9 Municipal Services & Infrastructure 189
9.1 Municipal Services & Infrastructure Goals 192
9.2 Municipal Services &
Infrastructure Policies 193
9.3 Water 194
9.4 Wastewater 195
9.5 Stormwater 196
9.6 Unserviced Development 198
9.7 Solid Waste Management 198
9.8 Utilities 200
9.9 Protective Services 202
9.10 Municipal Services &
Infrastructure Monitoring &
Review Metrics 203
10 CommunityFacilities 205
10.1 Community Facility Goals 208
10.2 General Community Facilities Policies 209
10.2.1 Neighbourhood Parks 210
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
10.2.2 Community Parks 211
10.2.3 Regional Parks 212
10.3 Open Spaces 213
10.4 Community & Recreational Facilities 214
10.5 Squares, Plazas & Community Gathering Spaces 215
10.6 Community Facility Partnerships 216
10.6.1 Schools 216
10.6.2 Places of Worship 216
10.6.3 Human and Social Services 216
10.7 Community Facilities Monitoring & Review Metrics 217
11Arts,Culture&Heritage219
11.1 Arts, Culture & Heritage Goals 222
11.2 General Arts, Culture
& Heritage Policies 223
11.3 Accessibility to Arts & Culture 224
11.4 Arts & Cultural Infrastructure 225
11.5 Integrating Arts & Culture 226
11.6 Uptown Waterfront 227
11.7 Multiculturalism 228
11.8 Cultural Landscapes 230
11.9 Built Heritage 232
11.10 Arts, Culture & Heritage Monitoring & Review Metrics 234
12 Implementation 237
12.1 Implementation Goals 240
12.2 Governance Framework for Decision Making 241
12.3 Development Approvals 242
12.3.1 Existing Incompatible Uses 244
12.3.2 Previously Approved Applications 244
12.3.3 Timeframes and Phasing of Development 245
12.3.4 Fiscal Implications of Development 246
12.4 Investment Strategy: 248
Strategic Plans & Five Year Capital Budget 248
12.5 Cooperation with other 251
Levels of Government & External Agencies 251
12.6 From City-wide to Neighbourhood Based Planning 253
12.7 Municipal Plan Monitoring Program 255
12.8 Public Participation 258
12.9 Implementation Monitoring & Review Metrics 259
Maps, Schedules & Attachments 277
Part II Central Peninsula Secondary Plan 277
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
10
CHAPTER ONE I INTRODUCTION
11
Executive Summary
The Municipal Plan is a guide for development and investment in
the City of Saint John ensuring decisions by the City over the course
of the 25 year planning period of the Municipal Plan are made in
the long term best interests of the whole community. It represents
a fundamental shift in the City of Saint John’s (the City) future; one
grounded in a more sustainable and compact pattern of growth for
the City. It is a holistic plan which will shape how the City develops
and delivers infrastructure and services to enrich the quality of life
for its citizens.
The City’s new direction for growth and change, as described
in the Municipal Plan, focuses on:
•Increasing quality of life and the attractiveness of the City;
•Targeting development to support a strengthened urban core
and spur economic growth;
•Creatingmore complete neighbourhoods and communities;
•Providing land use and investmentcertainty to residents and businesses;
•Providing land for development based on current projections
for population and job growth;
•Planning in a holistic manner to consider economic, social, cultural
and environmental sustainability.
The Municipal Plan provides a sound basis for decision making over the next
25 years and will be reviewed regularly to ensure policies address the identified
goals and outcomes.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
• Directing the majority of new housing to
The Municipal Plan includes a vision,
Primary, Local and Mixed Use Centres and
directions, goals and policies which
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas;
address the following areas:
• Creating an integrated mix of land uses
in Centres and appropriate parts of
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas;
City Structure & Land Use
• Recognizing the important role of urban
How a city is physically organized is
design in city-building and establishing
fundamental to the quality of life it offers its
policies to foster high quality, attractive and
citizens, the functioning of its economy, social
functional development in the public and
interaction, and the health of the natural
private realm;
environment. The Municipal Plan identifies a
• Using Corridors to connect Employment
preferred city structure and land use pattern
Areas, Centres, Neighbourhood Intensification
that identifies priority areas for growth and
Areas, and Stable Areas;
change to capitalize on the City’s unique assets
• Protecting the rural landscape and natural
and the municipal investments already made
areas by identifying areas outside the
in infrastructure. The framework for future land
Primary Development Area as Rural Stable,
use aims to use land more efficiently and gain
Rural Settlement, Rural Resource, Rural
the most benefit for the community from growth
Industrial and Park and Natural Areas.
and development by:
The Land Use policies in the Municipal Plan
• Limiting urban and rural sprawl by directing
serve as the main regulatory guide for new
the majority of growth within the Primary
development, informing Council, City staff,
Development Area;
developers, business owners and all other
• Creating a hierarchy of development with
community members on the appropriate
the highest intensity of uses in the Primary
location and standards for development.
Centres and the lowest intensity in the Stable
Municipal Plan policies will be implemented
Areas and Rural Areas;
through the City’s By-laws, Neighbourhood Plans
• Directing the majority of new employment
and other strategic plans.
uses to Primary Centres and Employment
Areas to promote economic prosperity;
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
2
HousingandNeighbourhoodsNaturalEnvironmentandEnergy
Saint John is comprised of many distinct A healthy natural environment is integral to
neighbourhoods with a wide variety of ages, our well-being as it provides the elements we
styles, prices and quality of housing. The require for daily life –air, water, food and fuel.
Municipal Plan encourages a more compact The way a City is designed, constructed, and
pattern of development with more housing used can have significant impacts on the local
clustered in core areas with good access to and global environments. The Municipal Plan
transit and community facilities, helping to recognizestheimportanceofahealthynatural
create safe, desirable places to live within the environment to the well-being and quality of
serviced areas of the City. Housing policies in life of a community. Environment and Energy
the Municipal Plan are intended to ensure an policies in the Municipal Plan are intended
adequatesupplyoflandisavailableforhousing
toensureamoresustainablegrowthpattern,
to facilitate the development of quality, diverse
the protection of significant natural areas
housing to meet the needs of the changing
and ensure environmental sustainability is
demographics of the community.
considered in all municipal decisions.
EconomicProsperityTransportationandMobility
Economic and investment decisions have a Transportation and land use are strongly
lasting impact on the community, and a strong, interrelated. The City’s transportation network
diverse economy is required for long-term strongly influences the pattern of growth, and
economic sustainability. The Municipal Plan the pattern of development strongly influences
recognizes the need to support the historically an individual’s transportation choice (driving,
strong base of heavy industrial operations that transit,walking,orcycling),aswellasthequality
have been integral to the growth, development of the transportation network that the City is
and identity of Saint John while also attracting able to provide. The Municipal Plan recognizes
new investment in the knowledge-based the need to increase population density and
industriesofinnovation,informationtechnology, development in the Primary Development Area
and health.
3
to support a variety of transportation options.
Community Facilities, Arts,
Transportation and Mobility policies in the
Culture and Heritage
Municipal Plan are intended to design streets,
Parksandcommunityfacilitiescontribute
trails and transportation systems to meet the
significantly to advancing community
needs of all Saint Johners and support a shift
sustainability and enhancing quality of life.
towards more active transportation networks
Good quality parks, natural spaces, recreation
and efficient transit.
andcommunityfacilitieshelpcultivateastrong
sense of place, enhance social interaction
MunicipalServices
and provide opportunities for exercise and
and Infrastructure
enjoyment of nature. The Municipal Plan
Directing new development to areas of the
acknowledges the importance of community
City with existing municipal services and
facilities in creating complete and healthy
infrastructure will result in increased efficiency
communities and the need to balance the
and lower long-term costs for water and sewer
quality of parks and community facilities with
treatment, emergency response, and other
the number of facilities provided.
services. The Municipal Plan recognizes the
A vibrant arts and cultural scene enhances the
importance of maintaining existing services to a
lives and interactions of community members
good standard while managing the City’s current
and promotes economic development, tourism
infrastructure deficit. Municipal Services and
and community identity. Arts, culture and the
Infrastructure policies in the Municipal Plan are
City’s built and natural heritage are shared
intended to make efficient and cost-effective
community assets and should be fostered and
use of existing infrastructure.
celebrated through a variety of initiatives and
activities. The Municipal Plan recognizes the
importance of arts, culture and heritage to
community identity, pride and sustainability.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
4
basis. A plan monitoring program will continue
Implementation -
to engage the community and comprehensively
Making the Plan Real
review the Municipal Plan at regular intervals.
The Municipal Plan will be implemented through
It features an annual report card to track
various regulatory documents, including a
the success of the Municipal Plan and the
new Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw,
requirement for a comprehensive review every
Neighbourhood Plans and other strategic plans
five years to address substantive issues and
and policies. An investment strategy, including
implement continuous improvements. The
a 5-year capital budget, will also implement the
Municipal Plan also includes policy for more
policies of the Municipal Plan. The Municipal
detailed neighbourhood plans or structure plans
Plan is a living document and in order to ensure
to ensure a continued legacy of community
its on-going implementation and success it will
planning within the City.
need to be updated and reviewed on a regular
The successful implementation of the Municipal Plan will require
collaboration and support of all sectors of the community. It requires
City leadership in making strategic investments to enhance the
quality of life in Saint John’s neighbourhoods. It requires developers
to bring forward excellent and innovative development projects.
Most importantly it requires community partnerships and sustained
engagement of the Saint John community to create the momentum
of positive change needed to transform the City of Saint John.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
5
1 Introduction
1.1Purposeof theMunicipal Plan8
1.2 Saint John Context, Issues & Opportunities 9
1.3 PlanSJ: Creating the Municipal Plan 16
1.4 PlanSJ Vision & Directions for Growth & Change 18
1.5 Legislative Basis of the Municipal Plan 26
1.6 Organization of the Municipal Plan 27
1.7 How to Read the Municipal Plan 28
7
1.1 PurposeoftheMunicipal Plan
strengthen and reinvigorate the City; providing
In late 2009 Council initiated
support for neighbourhood-level planning in
the PlanSJ project, a two-year,
key areas to ensure ongoing local input in the
intensive community-focused public
land use decision-making process; creating
engagement process to create the a balanced transportation network to make
public transit and active transportation more
Municipal Plan. The Municipal Plan
viable and desirable mobility options; and
will guide land use and development
most importantly, the Municipal Plan is about
in the City over the 25-year planning
ensuring the people who live in the City and
those who will come in the future want to stay
period. The previous Municipal
for the economic opportunities and the enviable
Plan was nearly 40 years old and
quality of life the City provides.
was based on ambitious growth
The Municipal Plan sets out the community’s
assumptions that were not realized.
long term vision and Council’s policies to guide
Coucil identified the development of
future land use and development within the
the Municipal Plan as a key priority
City. In general, the policies contained in the
Municipal Plan are used to guide:
to provide a new path forward for the
• Land use decisions regarding where and
City of Saint John (the City).
how development occurs;
• Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw updates
to ensure implementation of Municipal Plan
The Municipal Plan presents a new direction
policy;
for development and investment in the City,
• Environmental stewardship initiatives to
and is based on the aspirations of Saint
reduce our ecological footprint;
Johners to grow the City in a more compact and
• The delivery of efficient municipal services;
sustainable manner. It is rooted in the City’s
• Fiscal impact analysis for new or altered
many assets, placing a stronger emphasis
development applications;
on quality of life and the development of a
more urban City in the future. This is a holistic
• Capital expenditures and other investment
Municipal Plan that integrates the principles of
decisions by the City;
progressive urban planning with
• The creation of Strategic Plans and studies, as
the unique needs and desires of Saint Johners.
required, to ensure all City programs support
and implement the Municipal Plan; and
The Municipal Plan is not just about land use. It
is about valuing the City’s rich built and natural
• The program for monitoring the Municipal Plan
heritage; investing in its neighbourhoods to
and for detailed neighbourhood planning.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
8
1.2SaintJohnContext,Issues & Opportu-
inhabitants. Over the years, each group of
The City is located on the Bay
inhabitants has helped to shape the City
ofFundyinsouth-centralNew
throughtheircultureandcustoms,architecture
Brunswick and is the largest
and people. Today, with nearly 800 designated
heritage properties in the City, many within
municipality in the province
historic districts, the City offers residents and
of New Brunswick.
visitors a glimpse of this past along bustling
It is home to approximately 68,000 residents
streets and quaint residential neighbourhoods.
asofthe2006Census,representingabouthalf
Adding to the rich cultural heritage, the City
of the Greater Saint John Region’s population.
alsoboasts a remarkablecoastalsettingon
With three quarters of the region’s jobs located
the shores of the Bay of Fundy – home to
in the City, it is also the economic heart of
the world’s highest tides. The City’s unique
the Greater Saint John Region, providing
landscape is further defined in large part by the
employment,shopping,entertainmentand
St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers, which come
educational opportunities.
togetherintheCity’sInnerHarbour.TheGreater
AsCanada’sfirstincorporatedcity,established
Saint John Region’s expansive geography offers
in 1785, the City has been welcoming people
opportunities for residents and visitors to
from all over the world for hundreds of years.
explore world class parks and natural spaces,
Long before their arrival, the area had been
and discover diverse topography.
settledbytheMi’kmaqandMaliseetaboriginal
18401875
1960
1962
9
Built on an industrial and shipping-based By 1951, the City’s population had grown to
economy dating from the late 1700’s, the approximately 73,000 people and the City’s
City continues to be the major manufacturing urban development footprint occupied just
centre of the Greater Saint John Region and 36 square kilometres of land. Post-World War
has also become the regional centre for II infrastructure improvements, including the
telecommunications, services, transportation, construction of the Saint John Throughway,
culture, health, and education. The City’s
road widenings, and new arterial roads leading
economy continues to diversify and today is also out to the countryside enabled residents to
one of the province’s major destinations for access undeveloped lands beyond the compact
tourism and conventions. pre-World War II city. The City began extensive
outward grow, supporting low-density suburban
Over the years, the City has developed from
and rural growth, often in areas lacking
a series of neighbourhoods clustered tightly
municipal water and wastewater services. This
around the City’s Inner Harbour to a sprawling
pattern fundamentally changed the City’s urban
City with one of the lowest population densities
structure.
in Canada. Prior to World War II, the City’s
pattern of development was very compact and In contrast to the pre-World War II city, new
consisted of the city centre – the Uptown –
development in the City after the war contained
surrounded by a tightly knit urban core. The
very little mixed-use. Instead, large tracts of
City’s pre-World War II development pattern
new, single-purpose uses were developed in
reflected the fundamental principles of a
isolation of one another. Residential uses were
complete community: it was compact, walkable
generally separated from places of employment,
and most people lived close to work, shopping,
including major retail and commercial centres
schools and other services important for day-to-
located in the east and west of the City, the
day life.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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University New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ), By the mid 1970’s the City’s population had
the Regional Hospital, and industrial parks. This peaked at 89,000 people and began to decline
pattern of development created a dependence while the surrounding communities comprising
on an expanded road network, which in turn the Greater Saint John Region began to grow.
created a dependence on the automobile as During this time, the City’s urban core witnessed
the primary means to connect people to their a significant decline in residential population that
homes, places of employment, and places to continued into the 1990’s, resulting in significant
play, shop and worship. disinvestment and vacancies in the Uptown and
the urban core.
Amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities
in 1967 increased the municipal land base The result of this growth pattern is evident today
as the City consumes a great deal more land per
to 316 square kilometres, almost 10 times
person than cities of comparable population. As
that of the previous size of the City. Low-
a result, the City spends significant resources
density development continued as the norm
and extended across this expanded land to provide services to an ever increasing
base through new commercial, industrial and development footprint. As of the writing of
the Municipal Plan, approximately 42% of the
residential subdivision developments, providing
population lives in the urban core developed
few street connections or amenities within
walking distance and further entrenching
prior to World War II on just 5% of the land base;
40% of the population lives in post-World War II
the reliance on private automobile use for
access. Low-density housing in rural areas suburban neighbourhoods on 19% of the land
was also scattered along rural roads and base; and 18% of the population lives in rural
settlement areas, the most land consumptive
waterfront areas in a pattern known as “ribbon
form of housing, and occupies 76% of the land
development” or “rural sprawl”. This pattern
base. Understanding the challenges from the
was also generally disconnected from the City
City’s structure provides an opportunity for the
located beyond areas that could be provided
City to change the way it will grow in the future.
with municipal water and wastewater services.
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1.2.1HowmuchGrowthtoAccommodate?
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 period for the Municipal Plan. Over this time period, the total
population in the City is forecasted to first reach a low of about 66,000 people in
2017,thenrisetoabout77,500by2031,representingananticipatedpopulation
increaseofapproximately10,000people.Populationgrowthisbasedonanticipated
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 information technology and health care. Employment growth is anticipated to
increase the number of jobs in the City by 13,400 over the planning period, from
a total of 48,400 in 2010 to 61,800 in 2031. This Municipal Plan is also based
on anticipated land development needs for other employment sectors including
commercial and industrial land uses.
During this time, people of working age (25 to 64 years old) are expected to move
into the City to fill the anticipated new jobs and vacancies left by retirees. 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, townhouses
and apartments) anticipated to accommodate the residential growth is projected to
be 5,000 to the year 2031. To ensure the Municipal Plan can meet the needs of the
population, household and employment changes over the planning period, actual
growth levels will be monitored and the Municipal Plan will be updated at regular
intervals to effectively plan for changing trends.
Populationand Employmentforcast (thousands)
80
Forecast
Historical
75
70
65
60
55
50
Population
45
Employment
200620112016201620262031
Source:StrategicProjectionsInc.
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1.2.2 Why the City Needs a Municipal Plan
This comprehensive new Municipal Plan is needed to build upon the City’s many
strengths while reversing past patterns of sprawling and inefficient development and
capitalizing on the community benefits that accrue from more compact patterns of
urban growth. The Municipal Plan is crucial to effectively address the issues and
capture the opportunities currently facing the City, which include the following:
1.With a geographic area of approximately 316 square kilometres and a population
of only 68,000 people, the City 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, is fiscally sustainable and improves the quality of life for residents, future
development will be concentrated in key areas of the City. This will increase the
population density in strategic locations, reduce the cost of service delivery, and
support improved transit service, active transportation connections and greater
investment in the public realm for an enhanced quality of life.
2.Existing municipal water and sewage services within the City have the capacity
to absorb the anticipated additional growth without expansions. There are
sufficient amounts of currently serviced land within the City to accommodate
approximately three times the anticipated number of people expected to make
the City their home over the planning period. The City currently maintains and
provides services, including garbage collection, snow plowing and emergency
response to nearly 600 kilometres of municipal streets. 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 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 City’s population loss came from the urban core, while 25%
of residential growth that took place was dispersed throughout the rural areas in
the form of rural sprawl. Continuing to support growth on the periphery of the City
has led to continued disinvestment and a declining population in the urban core
and increased the cost of providing municipal services.
13
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 a distinct neighbourhood
character. Targeting growth in Urban and Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas, and permitting minor infill in Rural Settlement Areas, will support the
revitalization of these Areas. Combined with a focus on increasing the quality of
urban design in future development, this will support additional investment toward
building a more complete community in these Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas, increasing the quality of life for all in the City.
5.At the heart of the Greater Saint John Region, the City is and will continue to be
the hub for employment, arts, culture and heritage conservation. Supporting
and expanding the City’s rich architectural heritage and vibrant arts and cultural
community will enrich the quality of life for the City’s residents and enhance the
attractiveness of the City as a tourist destination. Supporting a more compact,
urban development pattern will allow a greater percentage of existing resources
to be reallocated to expenditures that support these endeavors and increase the
quality of life.
6.Changing demographics, including an aging population, present the City
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 also provide opportunities for
existing residents and attract new ones, supporting the City as a more attractive
destination for employers and employees.
7.The Cityhas a strong employment base in industrial and service sectors, and
has opportunities to diversify the economy in health, research and information
technology sectors, among others. Supporting continued investment in the
knowledge and innovation clusters at UNBSJ and the Regional Hospital and in the
Uptown will strengthen these anchors and create more economic opportunity in
and around them. The creation of jobs in emerging sectors will attract residents to
the City, while 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.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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8.Alternative transportation modes, including walking and cycling, are difficult in
Saint John, and it is inefficient and expensive to provide convenient and frequent
public transit service throughout the large and dispersed geographic region.
People with disabilities or without a car have trouble gaining access to jobs,
services and amenities without an integrated public transportation network. A
dense, compact urban form will enable more efficient and frequent transit service
and promote opportunities for active transportation for all of the City’s residents.
9.A wide array of natural areas, parks, surface water bodies and expansive
waterfronts offer many opportunities for the City to be a leader in environmental
sustainability. Limiting development in natural and rural areas and increasing
the development density of the City will decrease our impact on the ecosystem.
Enhancing urban parks, watersheds and waterfront areas will improve quality of
life and have a positive impact on the City’s natural systems.
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1.3 PlanSJ: CreatingtheMunicipal
Plan
PlanSJ was the two-year community-based project undertaken to develop the
Municipal Plan. It involved the largest and most comprehensive community
engagement exercise ever completed by the City. A multitude of technical studies
were completed and city wide public engagement events hosted in order to capture
the community’s vision for the future and better understand the existing challenges
facing the City. The depth of involvement by staff, consultants and the community
was extensive, involving:
• A 13-member Citizen Advisory Committee (the CAC) comprised of 2 members of
Council, 1 representative from the Planning Advisory Committee (the PAC) and 10
citizens of the City. Staff from the City’s Department of Planning and Development
supported the CAC, while the CAC advised City staff and Council on community
issues. CAC members also acted as ambassadors within their neighbourhoods and
across the City to actively promote involvement in the planning process.
• A Steering Committee comprised of senior staff from across all City service areas
advised the PlanSJ Team on technical issues and day-to-day City operations to
ensure the Municipal Plan directions were aligned with other City initiatives.
• Interviews and focus groups with over 70 stakeholder groups engaged in arts,
culture and heritage; housing and development; business and the economy;
environmental issues; social 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.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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• Ongoing public engagement throughout the two-year planning process via the
PlanSJ Storefront in Brunswick Square, the project website and social media tools
including Facebook and Twitter, and numerous presentations to community groups
and organizations.
• Three PlanSJ videos, available on the project website and on YouTube,
documenting the planning process and community members’ hopes and
expectations for the future.
• “Welcome to PlanSJ” 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
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1.4PlanSJVision&DirectionsforGrowth&
Change
The Municipal Plan builds directly on other City initiatives. In conjunction with the two-
year PlanSJ community outreach events and exercises, the directions and vision for
the Municipal Plan were also drawn from existing sources, including the Our Saint John
communityengagementprocess,thecorporatestrategicplanasexpressedinVision2015,
and the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (the ICSP). The Municipal Plan is
also based on a comprehensive understanding of existing conditions in the City derived
fromtheTechnicalBackgroundReportandtheGrowthStrategyReportin2010,completed
during the first phase of PlanSJ.
The PlanSJ Vision and Directions are fully described in the Growth Strategy Report
endorsed by Council in March 2011. Following the adoption of the Municipal Plan, the
PlanSJ Vision andDirectionswill be usedto evaluate whetherdevelopmentapplications
and future strategic neighbourhood and structure plans fit with the community’s
aspirations for the City.
ProtectingtheNaturalEnvironment
1
CommunityEngagement SmartGrowth
92
CompleteCommunities
ChoicesforGettingAround
8
3
Sustainable
Futures
WaterfrontUse,Access&EnjoymentPlanningforStrongEconomies
74
ThePublicRealmCelebratingArts,Culture&Heritage
65
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1.4.1 PlanSJ Directions
Throughout the PlanSJ community consultation process, the resounding
message received from the public was a desire forchange toward a much more
sustainable growth pattern and, ultimately, an improved quality of life for all of
the City’s residents. The following nine Directions for Growth and Change reflect
the community’s aspirations for the City’s future and illustrate best practices in
building sustainable and complete communities. These Directions also provide the
foundation for the Municipal Plan’s City Structure and Land Use frameworks:
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; and
• 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; and
• A City that brings back people that have moved away and is a magnet
for newcomers.
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3.SaintJohniscomprisedofhealthy,uniqueandinclusiveneighbourhoods.
SaintJohn:
•Strengthenstheconceptof‘one’Saint Johnby 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; and
• 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; and
• 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.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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5.SaintJohncelebratesitsmanywaterfrontsandpositionsthemasprominent
anddefiningelementsoftheCity.SaintJohn:
•EmbraceswaterasacentralfeatureoftheCity’seconomy,naturalenvironment
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; and
• 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 stormwater management, maintains fresh and
coastal water quality, and promotes water conservation;
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• Conserves energy and reduces energy use through sustainable
building design, alternative energy systems and reduced auto
dependence; and
• Develops effective policy on climate change and integrates mitigation
and adaption actions that can be influenced through land use policy.
7.SaintJohngrowstheCitysmarterbydevelopingcompleteand
compact communities. Saint John:
•Supportstheconceptthatsmartcitiesgrowupnotout;
• 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 urban core city centre by
making choices that strengthen the urban core and saying “no”
to choices that weaken the urban core;
• Supports compact development by managing development
and infrastructure according to the principles of complete
communities; and
• Adopts broad-based social and economic goals for sustainability,
vibrancy and long term prosperity.
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8.SaintJohnoffersanenviablequalityoflife,choiceandexperienceforall
ofitscitizens.SaintJohn:
•Buildsonuniqueplaces,peopleandexperiences;
• 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 qualityenvironment–buildings, parks and openspaces–
and protects dramatic geography, beautiful views and vistas; and
• Plants trees and quality landscaping to maintain and enhance natural
vegetation throughout the City.
9.SaintJohniscommittedtoastrongplanforactionandmakingchange.
Saint John:
• Has the courage to stick to the Municipal Plan during both prosperous
times and difficult times;
• Builds partnerships with other levels of government and neighbouring
municipalities to realize the Municipal 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; and
• Builds upon the Municipal Plan by updating the Zoning Bylaw and
Subdivision Bylaw and by preparing more detailed neighbourhood plans.
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1.4.2 PlanSJ Vision for Growth and Change
Looking forward over the 25 year planning period of the Municipal Plan, the PlanSJ
Vision, as set out in the Growth Strategy, reflects the aspirations of community
members to achieve a more urban focused City by prioritizing the transformation of key
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, improve the physical quality of the City, and broaden the
experience and opportunities it provides. At the same time, the PlanSJ 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
communities at densities which allow people to live, work, learn, and play in more
walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods. The PlanSJ Vision builds on the City’s record as
a leader in sustainability, protecting and identifying strategic improvements to cherished
green spaces, natural assets and key recreational facilities. To this end, the PlanSJ 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 PlanSJ Vision map (Map A) is a visual representation of the City that would
be achieved by implementation of the PlanSJ Vision.
The PlanSJ Vision map (Map A) illustrates the intensity of future developed areas of the
City’s urban structure, including:
• Areas identified as stable neighbourhoods that are 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 system of enhanced parks, open spaces and natural areas, encouraging active and
healthy lifestyles by promoting and sensitively integrating human use in parks, open
space and natural areas, where appropriate.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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The PlanSJ Vision also acknowledges that the health of the City’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 to protect them from development, recognizing that land in its undeveloped
state provides significant environmental contributions.
Diverse economies are strong economies and are defined by a broad range of
employment opportunities, including a mix of traditional and emerging industries
that require a variety of skill levels. The PlanSJ 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 PlanSJ 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 the City 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 the McAllister Mall area to the east, on Fairville Boulevard to the west, in the
Uptown to the south, and north along Somerset Street between Crescent Valley and
Millidgeville.
The PlanSJ Vision reinforces the value the City and community members place on its
distinctive neighbourhoods, and guides them to become even stronger, high quality
places through excellence in urban design. Some neighbourhoods will remain stable
over the planning period, while others, located in Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas, described in Chapter 2, will be supported to evolve in positive ways.
This includes strengthening the range of quality housing choices and introducing
an appropriate mix of land uses for residents to live, work, learn, and play. Ensuring
these neighbourhoods are also easily accessed by a range of transportation
modes, including walking, cycling and public transit is also a central element to
accommodating change in the Neighbourhood Intensification Areas in the future.
Improving housing choice, affordability and access to a wider range of transportation
modes, particularly in the core areas of the City, will make living in any of the City’s
neighbourhoods accessible to everyone.
The underlying goal of the PlanSJ Vision is to promote a compact development
pattern, supporting transit, walking, cycling and other active forms of transportation
that help to minimize carbon output and reduce dependence on private automobiles.
Solutions for getting around the City need to be inclusive and accessible to people
of all ages, income levels and to those with disabilities, and improve connections
between neighbourhoods and destinations. Finally, the PlanSJ Vision also speaks
to providing new and expanded connections and access points to public waterfront
areas, parks and open spaces, trails, beaches, boardwalks and cycling routes by
focusing on enhancing key public views to the water.
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1.5 LegislativeBasisoftheMunicipal Plan
The Municipal Plan has been prepared in accordance with the New Brunswick Community Planning
Act, RSNB 1973, c. C-12 (the CPA). The CPA empowers Council to create a Municipal Plan to guide
land use decisions within their jurisdiction. Although the Municipal Plan does not commit the City
or the Government of New Brunswick to undertake any of the policies or proposals set out therein,
it does preclude the undertaking of any development that is inconsistent or at variance with any
policy or proposal contained therein. Through the policy statements in the Municipal Plan, Council
is proposing a range of actions to implement the PlanSJ Vision and Directions.
The City implements the Municipal Plan through the approval of the Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision
Bylaw, and the application of the Municipal Plan Policy. More detailed plans, recognized legislatively
as Secondary Municipal Plans, but which are also referred to as Neighbourhood Plans or Structure
Plans, may be developed for specific areas of the City and City services. These Secondary Municipal
Plans may require amendments to the Municipal Plan and Zoning Bylaw; however, in the event of a
conflict between a Secondary Municipal Plan and the Municipal Plan, the Municipal Plan prevails.
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.
2020, C.P. 106-21
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1.6Organization of the Municipal 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 and structure plans.
ChaptersSix Economic Prosperity
Part I
ChaptersSeven NaturalEnvironment
Chapter One introduces the purpose, context
and Energy
and vision for the Municipal Plan, how it is
organized and how to read the Municipal Plan.
ChaptersEight Transportation and Mobility
The Municipal Plan is intended to be read in its
entirety.
ChaptersNine Municipal Services and
Infrastructure
Chapter Two articulates the City Structure
which supports the community’s desire to
ChaptersTen Community Facilities
manage future growth by pursuing a more
ChaptersElevan Arts, Culture andHeritage
compact and sustainable development pattern.
This pattern promotes the development of
Chapter Twelve addresses the
complete communities, allowing residents to live
implementation of the Municipal Plan,
in close proximity to a full range of their daily
including policies related to regulatory tools
needs and amenities and to have convenient
such as the Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision
access to key destinations and places of work.
Bylaw, the Municipal Plan monitoring
The City Structure provides the basis for the
program, the framework for neighbourhood
Land Use framework for the City.
planning, and the overall investment strategy
Chapter Three contains the City’s Land Use
(five-year capital budget).
framework and approach to regulating future
land use to guide growth and change over the
TheGlossary contains the definitions of
course of the 25 year planning period of the
key terms found in the Municipal Plan.
Municipal Plan.
The Maps and Schedules are used for
Chapters Four Urban Design
explanatory and regulatory purposes.
Maps are non-statutory and Schedules are
ChaptersFive Neighbourhoods and Housing
statutory elements of the Municipal Plan.
Part II
Part II of the Municipal Plan contains the Neighbourhood Plans and Structure Plans
with more detailed policies that apply to specific areas of the City. These neighbourhood
and structure plans will be developed following Council’s adoption of the Municipal Plan
by Bylaw. As completed and approved, they will be incorporated into the Municipal Plan
by amendment.
27
1.7 How to Read the Municipal Plan
Vision and Directions
The Municipal Plan establishes policies to implement the PlanSJ 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 Municipal Plan.
Chapters 1-12
While the Municipal Plan is organized in various Chapters, it is an integrated document
that is meant to be read as a whole as the Municipal Plan recognizes the link between
land use, infrastructure, transportation and urban design. If there is a conflict between
any policies of the Municipal Plan, the policies of Chapter 3 and the Future Land Use
map (Schedule B) shall prevail.
Glossary
In Part I of the Municipal Plan, numbered policies with corresponding glossary definitions
and schedules are considered to be operative statutory parts of the Municipal Plan.
Throughout the Municipal Plan, any non-policy text, commentary, or illustration provided
is included only to guide and contribute to a fuller understanding of a given policy and are
not to be interpreted as policies of the Municipal Plan. Except for references to legislation,
many terms in the Municipal Plan are defined in the Glossary section of the Municipal
Plan.
Schedules and Maps
Schedules and Maps are included in Part II of the Municipal Plan. The Schedules
are statutory components of the Municipal Plan and the Maps are included for
information purposes:
ScheduleA:City Structure
Schedule B: Future Land Use
Schedule C: Transportation
ScheduleD:CentralPeninsula Secondary Plan
MapA:PlanSJ Vision
MapB: Areas for DetailedPlanning
Recommendations
The Municipal Plan includes references to previously completed studies, plans, strategies
and/or reports. These references are not intended to incorporate these studies, plans,
strategies and/or reports in their entirety. Only the specific recommendations from these
studies, plans, strategies, and/or reports specifically referenced are included in the
Municipal Plan.
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29
2 City Structure
2.1City Structure Goals34
2.2 City Structure 35
2.3 The Primary Development Area 37
2.3.1 Intensification Areas 37
2.3.2 Employment Areas 39
2.3.3 Corridors 40
2.3.4 Other Areas 43
2.4 The Rural Areas 44
2.5 Lands Common to the Primary Development Area and 45
the Rural Areas 45
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
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Baie
S
Grand
Bay
O
N
M
L
K
J
I
H
G
E
A
F
C
D
B
Ha vrede
S a in tJ o h n
Harbour
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
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City Structure refers to the way in which land uses, transportation systems,
infrastructure, open spaces and natural features are distributed and arranged
across the land base to create the City’s physical make-up. This physical
organization of the uses to which lands in the City may be put is fundamental
to all elements that create a great city, including:
•Qualityoflife;
• Diversity and resilience of the economy;
• Overall community and social cohesion;
• Health of the natural environment;
• Ease of mobility; and
• Ability to deliver affordable, high quality municipal services.
The Municipal Plan directs new growth and investment where it will provide
the greatest advantage to the community at large, strengthening the City’s
urban structure as it develops into the future while achieving the PlanSJ Vision
for the City. The City Structure proposed in the Municipal Plan is built on the
following elements which organize and rationalize land use in the City and
establish an appropriate hierarchy of development:
• The Primary Development Area (the PDA) is where most future development will take place.
• The Employment Areas and Intensification Areas are areas within the PDA that have
the capacity for significant change and are in locations that will benefit from investment
through new development.
• The Stable Areas are healthy, stable neighbourhoods that will evolve but not
experience major change.
• Corridors are links between Intensification Areas and common destinations,
including the waterfronts.
• The Park and Natural Areas and Rural Areas will be largely protected from development,
with the exception of some resource development in appropriate locations and limited
residential development in Rural Settlement Areas.
Making investment decisions that support a better City Structure will allow
the City to make better use of existing infrastructure and system capacity,
particularly related to water, wastewater, and transit service. Strategic
infrastructure and public realm investments by the City that are consistent
with the City Structure have the potential to trigger large private sector
investments. When this takes place, the quality of services and the quality
of life can greatly improve and one project at a time, move the City toward
a more complete community.
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
33
2.1CityStructureGoals
Limiturbanandruralsprawlanduselandmore
efficiently.
Revitalizeexistingcommunitiesthroughcompact
development, context appropriate infill, and
promoting infill development on vacant and
underused properties.
Direct new housing and employment uses to
IntensificationAreastoachieveahigherdensityof
people and jobs, enabling the City to provide cost-
effective and efficient infrastructure and services.
Locateanintegratedmixoflanduseswithinwalking
distance of each other in Intensification Areas,
including places to live, work, shop, learn and play.
Connect Urban and Suburban Neighbourhood
IntensificationAreasandexistingStableAreaswith
Primary and Character Corridors.
Develop a compact built form that supports both a
healthylifestyleandefficient,convenientandviable
alternativetransportationchoices,includingtransit,
walking and cycling.
Provide greater housing choice and affordability
acrosstheCityandwithinindividualneighbourhoods.
Achieveexcellenceinbuiltformanddesign.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
34
2.2CityStructure
The City Structure map (Schedule A) lays the groundwork for the land use policies
contained in Chapter 3 of the Municipal Plan. This Schedule illustrates the roles
and hierarchy of key places in the City, providing information on the relative mix of
land uses, the organization and design of streets and blocks, and the density of
built form. The City Structure map illustrates areas that should grow and change as
well as areas that should remain stable but not static, recognizing that some minor
change is appropriate to allow these areas to evolve over time in keeping with the
established neighbourhood character.
TheCityStructuremap(ScheduleA),althoughstatutory,doesnotidentifyland
use designations that regulate development. Instead 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. The City Structure
map (Schedule A) forms the basis for the more detailed Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) and the accompanying land use policies found in Chapter 3, which are
the primary tools for regulating land use for future development.
Councilshall:
Policy CS-1 Adopt the City Structure map (Schedule A) for the City to reflect the intended degree
of change and intensity of development in the City and ensure that it supports the
long term best interests of the City.
Policy CS-2 Ensure the City Structure map (Schedule A) supports and is consistent with the
Future Land Use map (Schedule B) which guides growth and development in the
City. Changes to the City Structure map (Schedule A) may only be considered in
conjunction with appropriate changes to the Future Land Use map (Schedule B). In
the event of a conflict between the City Structure map (Schedule A) and the Future
Land Use map (Schedule B), the Future Land Use map (Schedule B) shall prevail.
Table 1 visually depicts how the City Structure categories are organized, based on
their location inside the PDA, outside the PDA in the Rural Areas, or common to both
the PDA and the Rural Areas:
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
35
Table1: CityStructure
INTENSIFICATIONAREAS
P
PrimaryCentre
K
LocalCentre
MixedUseCentre
UrbanNeighbourhood
IntensificationArea
SuburbanNeighbourhood
H
IntensificationArea
G
E
EMPLOYMENTAREAS
F
Primary
Centre
Regional
RetailCentre
Employment
Area
CORRIDORS
C
CharacterCorridor
D
PrimaryCorridor
B
CommercialCorridor
OTHERAREAS
StableArea
UrbanReserve
RURALAREAS
Rural
ResourceArea
Rural
SettlementArea
Rural
IndustrialArea
StableArea
Q
COMMONTOTHEPDA&RURALAREAS
Parkand
NaturalArea
Federal
Transportation
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
36
2.3ThePrimaryDevelopmentArea
As depicted on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B), the Primary Development
Area (the PDA) generally corresponds to the portion of the City with existing
municipal water and wastewater services. Most new employment growth and
approximately 95% of new residential growth will be directed inside the PDA to
maximize infrastructure investments that have already been made andprotect rural
and natural areas. Inside the PDA there are four main City Structure categories,
described as Intensification Areas, Employment Areas, Corridors and Other Areas.
Each of these categories is further broken down into sub-categories, describing in
greater detail the intent for all areas within the PDA of the City. The following details
each City Structure category and accompanying sub-categories within the PDA.
2.3.1 Intensification Areas
Intensification Areas are identified as the areas of the City where most future
growth and development will be focused. There are five sub-categories within the
Intensification Areas, described as Primary Centres, Local Centres, Mixed Use
Centres, Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, and Suburban Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas.
Primary Centres are intended to attract and serve people from all over the City and
the Greater Saint John Region. They contain the highest densities and most complex
and concentrated mix of land uses in the City. There are two Primary Centres, each
containing a complementary cluster of medium/high density development:
Uptown Primary Centre will remain the largest mixed-use centre in the City and
Region. Land uses shall 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, cultural uses, financial and
personal services.
UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre will evolve into a strengthened
health and education mixed-use employment and residential area for the City and
the Region, containing the second largest number of jobs in the City and the Greater
Saint John 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 Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre is intended to
complement rather than compete with the Uptown Primary Centre. Significant new
civic, arts, tourism and hospitality, entertainment, cultural and specialty retail uses
are to be directed to the Uptown Primary Centre and discouraged from locating in
the UNBSJ Plateau /Regional Hospital Primary Centre.
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
37
A LocalCentre 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.
MixedUseCentres areplaceslocatedwithinUrbanNeighbourhoodIntensification
Areas that are appropriate for re-urbanization and where the Municipal Plan will
direct mixed commercial and medium to higher density residential development.
These include Lansdowne Centre in the Old North End, Prince Edward Square in
Waterloo Village and Main Street West.
UrbanNeighbourhoodIntensification Areas are neighbourhoods that have generally
been developed prior to World War II. These Urban Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas include each of the five priority neighbourhoods in the City: the Old North
End, South End, Lower West Side, Waterloo Village, and Crescent Valley. Urban
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas are primarily residential neighbourhoods
with medium density housing and convenience retail services. These Urban
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas will benefit from renewed investment and
development and are targeted to receive approximately 45% of future growth and
development.
Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas are neighbourhoods generally
established after World War II, including Central Millidgeville, University Avenue,
Monte Cristo/Gault Road, and Forest Hills/Lakewood. Suburban Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas are primarily residential neighbourhoods with lower density
housing and convenience retail services. They contain lower densities than Urban
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, but more elements of a complete community
than traditional suburban neighbourhoods. Council shall encourage suburban growth
in these areas 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. These Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas are
targeted to receive approximately 40% of future growth and development.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
38
2.3.2 Employment Areas
Stimulating and sustaining economic activity is an underpinning to successful
urban areas. The City’s future growth and development will largely be dictated by
the community’s ability to retain existing employment and create new employment
opportunities. As the first step to supporting the evolving needs of businesses in a
wide variety of industries, the City must ensure there is ample supply of well located,
high quality employment lands available to accommodate investment needs. The
Employment Areas are described as Primary Centres, Regional Retail Centre and
Employment Areas:
Primary Centres, previously identified as the Uptown Primary Centre and the UNBSJ
Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre, 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
uses, and 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 the city and regional
population. These Centres are also intended to complement rather than compete
with uses in the Uptown Primary Centre. Although the main focus of these areas
are retail and service based commercial land uses, limited residential uses may be
permitted in these areas through mixed-use development proposals. Regional Retail
Centres are not intended for residential use nor are they intended to undermine the
function of Local Centres or Primary Centres.
2019, C.P. 106-18
EmploymentAreas are comprised of existing Industrial Parks, other existing
industrial areas, Business Centres, and two areas of primarily undeveloped lands
identified for new industrial and employment uses in Spruce Lake Industrial Park
and McAllister Industrial Park. Employment Areas will generally not allow residential
uses; these areas are generally single purpose industrial or business park uses,
not appropriate in proximity to residential uses. Development will occur at lower
densities as these uses generally require more land.
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
39
2.3.3 Corridors
Corridors are best described as the links between Intensification Areas and common
destinations, including the waterfronts. They are identified to define the different
roles our roadways have in shaping neighbourhood and community character as
they serve different needs and provide different services to users. To best describe
and characterize the different types of Corridors and their intended City Structure
functions, three types were identified: Primary Corridors, Character Corridors, and
Commercial Corridors.
PrimaryCorridors are locations for improved transit, active transportation,
investments in streetscaping, public realm and urban design, and in some cases
intensified land uses. They also serve as primary transportation links between
Primary Centres and Urban and Suburban Neighbourhood Intensifications Areas.
These Corridors serve the neighbourhoods they traverse with a broad range of uses,
at a scale and density suitable to support high levels of transit use. These 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 passes through a section of rocky and hilly natural terrain which
shapes the southern edge of Millidgeville and the northern edge of Crescent Valley.
An aggregate extraction operation 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, townhouses 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 Urban
Neighbourhood Intensification Area. The boulevard passes through a post-World War
II development of medium density housing. The road terminates at its southern end
at the existing Lansdowne Centre shopping plaza.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
40
Main Street (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, retail, hotels, 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 Urban Neighbourhood
Intensification Area. The boulevard passes through a section of historic retail buildings 2-3 storey’s
in height, as well as large sections of less developed areas, with one-storey retail establishments,
employment uses and parking lots.
Character Corridors are places for investment in quality streetscaping, the public realm, and urban
design in order to strengthen the quality of place in these important areas of the City, and to act as
a catalyst for high quality development in the adjacent Primary Centres and Urban and Suburban
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas. In most cases Character Corridors connect to the City’s many
waterfronts - a key direction in the Municipal Plan. These are not envisioned as places for significant
intensification. Character Corridors include the following:
Douglas Avenue connects the Lansdowne Mixed Use Centre with Fairville Place and Fairville Corridor
on the City’s West Side. The avenue has an attractive mix of historic 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 (west of Douglas Avenue) provides a sloping view corridor and direct connection from
the mixed-use Lansdowne Mixed Use Centre to the waterfront 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.
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
41
Lancaster Avenue / Duke Street West / City Line connects King Square West and
QueenSquareWestparks with two waterfrontdestinationswithin theLowerWest
Side Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Area.
Charlotte Street connects the heart of the Uptown at Union Street with the
southern tip of the Central Peninsula with access to the South Waterfront, where
development lands may bring new residents and businesses to revitalize the South
Waterfront. The housing on Charlotte Street is a mix of historic and post-World War
II medium density townhouses and higher density apartments. Setbacks are small
or nonexistent as housing and businesses front directly onto the sidewalk at many
locations. South of the Lower Cove Loop there is opportunity for intensification and
public realm improvements to enhance access to the South Waterfront.
Sydney Street connects the Uptown and Waterloo Village with the South Waterfront
at Tin Can Beach. Development lands along underutilized lots at the edge of
Rainbow Park and South of Broad Street coupled with enhanced streetscape
improvements will improve the sense of place and attractiveness of the South
Waterfront.
2020, C.P. 106-21
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 Saint John Throughway that
are suitable for automobile oriented uses and over time will be 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 Saint John Throughway or rail lines. As the
nature of industry has changed in the City, many of the former industrial uses have
transitioned or relocated to the City’s Industrial Parks. The Municipal Plan supports
the continued transition of this area into a higher quality automobile oriented
Commercial Corridor for development that benefits from locations near the Saint
John Throughway, and for uses not appropriate in the Primary Centres which are
more suited to pedestrian oriented uses.
Bayside Drive has a small commercial node at the intersection with Thorne Avenue
and Loch Lomond Road. The Municipal Plan supports the continued commercial
uses within this area and envisions transition to a higher quality automobile oriented
Commercial Corridor.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
42
2.3.4Other Areas
There are two additional City Structure sub-categories found in the Other Areas
category. The Stable Areas category describes neighbourhoods throughout the
Primary Development Area that are considered healthy and not expected to undergo
significant change in the future. The Urban Reserve category includes undeveloped
lands within the Primary Development Area which are not needed to accommodate
anticipated growth in the future.
StableAreas include existing healthy, primarily low-density residential areas not
identified as Intensification Areas or Employment Areas. Stable Areas are not
expected to experience major development, although they will evolve incrementally
and organically and in keeping with the existing neighbourhood character in order to
accommodate appropriate infill development to support complete communities.
UrbanReservelands are inside the Primary Development Area and are being
reservedfor future serviced residential development as they are not needed to
accommodate the anticipated growth in population or employment over the planning
period. 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 wastewater service beyond the planning period.
O
N
M
L
P
K
Q
J
I
H
G
E
F
C
D
CHAPTERTWO|CITYSTRUCTURE
43
2.4TheRuralAreas
Landsoutside the PrimaryDevelopment Areaare generally described asRural
Areasandarenot providedwith municipal waterandwastewaterservices. The Rural
Areas will support limited growth and development which will be carefully controlled
throughMunicipal Plan policy in orderto encouragemostdevelopmentto take place
within the Primary Development Area. Rural Areas include twosub-categories
described as Rural Resource Areasand Rural Settlement Areas.
RuralResourceAreas are primarily undeveloped lands with the potential for rural
resource activity such as pits and quarries and/or forestry uses. New resource uses
may be permitted in Rural Resource Areas provided the proposal meets the criteria
outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan, and the relevant provisions
of the Zoning Bylaw.
RuralSettlementAreas are the existing, historic communities of 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 these Rural Settlement Areas to support their
continued vitality and to maximize existing investments in community infrastructure
provided the proposal meets the criteria outlined in the Land Use Chapter of the
Municipal Plan.
2025,C.P.106-38
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
44
2.5 LandsCommontothePrimary
Development Area and
theRural Areas
The Park and Natural Areas and the Federal Transportation categories apply
to lands within the PDA and to the Rural Areas.
Park and Natural Areas are currently in a primarily natural state or would benefit
from re-naturalization and are not generally appropriate locations for development.
Park and Natural Areas include wooded lands, lakeshores, rivers, coastlines, and
important geology and habitat. Through specific policies in Chapters 3 and 7,
suchas the provision of wildlife corridors, protection of environmentally sensitive
/ significant areas, and guidelines for watersheds, riparian, coastal and estuarine
areas, the lands are intended to form a system of natural areas to conserve
ecosystems. Due to the large provision of Park and Natural Areas in largely
inaccessible areas of the city, green energy developments, as defined within the
City’s Zoning By-law, are appropriate, subject to required municipal, provincial, and
federal approvals.
2019, C.P. 106-20
Federal Transportation lands are within the boundary of the City and are under the
jurisdiction of the federal government. Inside the PDA, this Federal Transportation
designation has been applied to the Port and in the rural areas this Federal
Transportation designation has been applied to the Airport. The intended use for
these lands differs:
Saint John Airport (Airport) lands are under the ownership of the federal government
and Airport operations are managed by the Saint John Airport Authority. The Airport
lands are located in the Rural Area and, notwithstanding their federal regulation, the
City encourages the development of airport related uses.
Saint John Port Authority (Port) lands are under the ownership of the federal
government and Port operations are managed by the Saint John Port Authority.
Port lands are encouraged to develop for marine related uses. The Port lands
located adjacent to the Uptown Waterfront are identified on the Future Land Use
map (Schedule B) as being part of the Uptown Primary Centre. Despite the lands’
federal ownership, the City supports future intensification of these lands consistent
with community aspirations and the policies identified for the Uptown Primary
Centre lands.
CHAPTER TWO | CITY STRUCTURE
45
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
46
3Land Use
3.1FutureLandUseGoals50
3.2 Future Land Use 51
3.3 Land Use Designations 52
& City Structure 52
3.4 Establishment of the Primary Development Area 54
3.5 Land Uses within the Primary Development Area 55
3.5.1 Intensification Areas 56
3.5.2 Employment Areas 74
3.5.3 Corridors 84
3.5.4 Other Areas 86
3.6 Land Use Designations outside
the Primary Development Area 89
3.6.1 Rural Areas 89
3.7 Land Use Designations Common
to the Primary Development Area
& the Rural Area 95
3.7.1 Common Land Use Designations 95
3.8 General Land Use Policies 98
3.9 Land Use Monitoring
& Review Metrics 101
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 47
Ba ie
G r a nd
B a y
Ha vrede
S a in tJ o h n
Harbour
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
48
The Municipal Plan responds to the community’s desire to focus growth
and development in the urbanized areas of the City, supporting a
strengthened urban core and enhanced quality of life. The Future Land
Use map (Schedule B) implements the City Structure (Schedule A) and
serves as the regulatoryguide for new development. The Future Land Use
map defines the location for different land uses to facilitate the creation
of complete communities while minimizing land use conflicts. This will
maximize the benefits of mixed-use areas and enhance the quality of life for
citizens, creating an environment that entices newcomers to the City and
encourages existing residents to stay in the City. The land use framework
provides clarity and certainty for residents and businesses wishing to make
informed decisions with respect to investment and places to live and work.
The City Structure will be achieved through the supporting land use
framework, discussed in this Chapter, which will serve as the statutory
guide for new development. The Municipal Plan provides clarity and
predictability in terms of where new residential, employment and mixed-
use growth will occur and ensures an adequate supply of land to grow the
City’s economy. Over the planning period, 95% of residential growth will
be directed to the Primary Development Area. Approximately 45% of this
new residential development will be directed to Urban Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas and approximately 40% of this new residential growth
will be directed to Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas. Minor
infill development in Stable Areas, comprising 10% of new residential
growth, will continue throughout the City in a manner that is compatible
with the character of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Rural Areas will
largely be protected as Rural Natural Areas and Rural Resource Areas,
with limited rural residential growth comprising approximately 5% of new
residential growth directed to Rural Settlement Areas.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 49
3.1FutureLandUseGoals
1Guide decision-making and development that is in the long-term best
interests of the community and the City.
2Ensure there is an adequate supply of all land types within the Primary
Development Area over the planning period.
3CreatepositiveconditionsfornewdevelopmentwithinthePrimary
Development Area, capitalizing on investments made in existing
infrastructure.
4Enrich the quality of life throughout the City, particularly in the core
neighbourhoods,bydirectingthemajorityofgrowthandinvestmentto
designated Centres and Intensification Areas.
5Support and strengthen the Uptown as the Primary Centre for all major
commercial, government, community, culture, entertainment and tourism
uses, and the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital area as the Primary Centre
for health care services, post-secondary education, and research uses.
6ImproveaccesstotheCity’smanywaterfrontsandenhancetheUptown
waterfront in particular as a vibrant mixed-use area.
7Foster complete communities at densities which support public
transportation and active transportation and a range of services,
employment,leisureandrecreationalchoicesto provide peoplewith greater
opportunities to live, work, play and learn in their neighbourhoods.
8DirectnewindustrialdevelopmenttodesignatedIndustrialAreas,minimizing
future land use conflicts and taking advantage of industrial clusters.
9Provideimprovedhousingchoice,qualityandaffordabilitythroughoutthe
City to meet the needs of the changing population.
10Provide forlimitednewdevelopmentin theCity’s RuralAreas,preserving
the balance of these lands for the conservation of natural areas, limited
residential infill and appropriate resource use.
11Protectthenaturalenvironmentanddevelopinbalancewithnatureby
encouraging a more compact and sustainable city.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
50
3.2 Future LandUse
The Future Land Use map (Schedule B) is a vital component of the Municipal
Plan. In order to implement the broad objectives of the Municipal Plan, the Future
Land Use map (Schedule B) creates a comprehensive picture of the community,
setting out how land in the City should be developed in the future. The Future
Land Use map (Schedule B) assigns land use designations to all lands in the City.
These designations identify the type and intensity of land use that is appropriate
within a given area, and set out a specific policy framework to guide growth and
development. The Future Land Use map (Schedule B) and accompanying policies in
Chapter 3 represent the legal framework for development.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-1 Adopt the Future Land Use map (Schedule B) to guide future development and
investment in the City over the planning period and ensure that it supports the long
term best interests of the City.
Policy LU-2 Ensure the Future Land Use map (Schedule B):
a. Provides sufficient land to accommodate the projected demands
for residential, commercial, industrial and other land uses over
the planning period;
b. Provides for a limited range of compatible uses to occur within the land use
designations, subject to the applicable policies of the Municipal Plan; and
c. Provides for more specific delineation of appropriate land uses in the Zoning
Bylaw and neighbourhood plans andstructure plans.
Policy LU-3 Recognize that the boundaries of land use designations, as shown on the Future
Land Use map (Schedule B), are intended to be approximate, except where they
coincide with roads or other clearly defined physical features. Where general
compliance with Municipal Plan policies is maintained, minor adjustments to the
boundaries of land use designations shall not require a Municipal Plan amendment.
Policy LU-4 Not consider changing the designation of lands on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) through a Municipal Plan amendment, unless the proposal:
a. Is consistent with the general intent of the Municipal Plan and further advances
the City Structure;
b. Is necessary by virtue of a lack of supply of quality land already designated in the
Municipal Plan to accommodate the development;
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 51
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;
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; and
g. Adequately addresses and mitigates any significant environmental impacts.
3.3LandUseDesignations
& City Structure
The Future Land Use map (Schedule B) builds upon the City Structure map
(Schedule A) and creates a series of land use designations that further refine
where and what type of investment will take place across the community. In broad
terms, policy is developed for each designation shown on the Future Land Use
map (Schedule B) to regulate the use and development of land in the City. The
association between each City Structure category and the corresponding Land Use
designation is visually represented in Table 2.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
52
Table2:CityStructureandLandUse
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
INTENSIFICATIONAREAS
PrimaryCentrePrimaryCentre
LocalCentreLocalCentre
MixedUseCentreMixedUseCentre
UrbanNeighbourhoodMedium to HighLow to Medium
IntensificationAreaDensityResidentialDensityResidential
SuburbanNeighbourhoodLow to MediumLowDensity
IntensificationAreaDensityResidentialResidential
EMPLOYMENTAREAS
Primary
Primary
CentreCentre
RegionalRegional
RetailCentreRetailCentre
EmploymentBusinessStableHeavyLight
AreaCentreCommercialIndustrialIndustrial
CORRIDORS
Character Corridor
PrimaryCorridor
CommercialCorridorCommercialCorridor
OTHERAREAS
Stable
StableArea
Major
Residential
CommunityFacility
UrbanReserve
UrbanReserve
RURALAREAS
Rural
Rural
ResourceAreaResourceArea
RuralRural
SettlementAreaSettlementArea
RuralRural
IndustrialAreaIndustrialArea
StableAreaRural
ResidentialArea
COMMONTOTHEPDA&RURALAREAS
Parkand
Parkand
NaturalAreaNaturalArea
FederalFederal
TransportationTransportation
CHAPTERTHREE|LANDUSE53
3.4 Establishmentof the Primary
Development Area
The PlanSJ Vision expressedfortheCity createsa strongerurbanstructurefor
the community over the planning period by targeting growth and reinvestment
to the existing urbanized areas of the community. In order to realize this, the
Primary Development Area has been established, inside which the vast majority of
development is planned to occur over the planning period.
The adoption of an urban growth boundary for the City is not a new idea; in fact,
previous Municipal Plans for the City have included similar concepts. Over time,
however, amendments to previous Municipal Plans allowed rural development to
take place, which undermined efforts to further urbanize the City. The Primary
Development Area is a statutory component to the Municipal Plan. Council should
evaluate proposed amendments to the boundary of the Primary Development Area
utilizing the guidance found in Policy LU-9 and the general intent of the Municipal
Plan.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-5 Establish the Primary Development Area (the PDA) as shown on the Future Land
Use map (Schedule B). The PDA includes the lands currently serviced with municipal
water and wastewater or those intended to be serviced with this infrastructure over
the planning period.
Policy LU-6 Intend that the PDA form 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-7 Intend that all lands outside of the PDA are considered Rural Areas and will be
governed by the policies that address Rural Area development in the Municipal Plan.
Policy LU-8 Not permit development serviced with municipal water and wastewater services
beyond the boundaries of the PDA without first changing the boundaries of the PDA
which will require an amendment to the Future Land Use map (Schedule B). Large-
scale, heavy industrial development is excluded from compliance with this policy.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Should a large scale heavy industrial proposal require the extension of municipal
services outside of the PDA to service their development, Council shall not extend the
PDA to include the development as it is not appropriate to permit urban land uses
to encroach upon heavy industrial land uses. However, any extension of water and
wastewater services beyond the PDA to accommodate large-scale heavy industrial
development shall be undertaken on a cost recovery basis.
2014, C.P. 106-8
Councilmay:
Policy LU-9 Consider amending the boundaries of the Primary Development Area boundary when
a comprehensive review of the Municipal Plan has taken place, as outlined in the
Implementation Chapter of the Municipal Plan:
2014, C.P. 106-8
3.5 Land Uses within the Primary
Development Area
Within the Primary Development Area, there are Intensification Areas, Employment
Areas, Corridors, and Other Areas. Each of these land use sections contains
corresponding land use designations to guide growth and development. Intensification
Areas are intended to receive the most growth and development over the planning
period; however, in each land use designation the type and density of development
will differ. Employment Areas follow a similar approach containing employment
designations to recognize the various needs of different types of employment. A
Commercial Corridor has been designated along Rothesay Avenue to accommodate
the specific needs of business along that thoroughfare, and Other Areas recognizes
the remaining land use designations within the Primary Development Area.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 55
3.5.1IntensificationAreas
Intensification Areas are intended to develop with the highest concentration
of land uses in the City. The type and/or mix of uses are dependent on the
type of Intensification Area. These areas are identified as the primary places
for growth to proceed.
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
INTENSIFICATIONAREAS
PrimaryCentrePrimaryCentre
LocalCentreLocalCentre
MixedUseCentreMixedUseCentre
Medium to High
DensityResidential
UrbanNeighbourhoodLow to Medium
IntensificationAreaLow to MediumDensityResidential
DensityResidential
SuburbanNeighbourhoodLowDensity
IntensificationAreaResidential
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
56
PrimaryCentres
The Municipal Plan designates two Primary Centres which are intended to
accommodate the highest densities of development in the City, reflecting the City’s
role as a regional employment, educational, and cultural hub. The Primary Centre
designation is used to set out land use policy in the 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 a way that complements one another.
The two Primary Centres are intended to function as anchors in the north and south
of the City.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-10 Create the Primary Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) that is used to identify the two areas of the City where the highest
intensity of development is to be accommodated: the Uptown Primary Centre and the
UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 57
Policy LU-11 Acknowledge that the two Primary Centres in the City will evolve differently and have
a distinct function within the community.For clarity, Council intends that:
a. The Uptown Primary Centre 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 Primary Centre is the location of a major
cluster of post-secondary education facilities as well as health care, medical and
other related services. The Municipal Plan contemplates the introduction of a
range of residential and commercial land uses in this area following completion
of a Neighbourhood or Structure Plan.
Councilmay:
Policy LU-12 Consider applications to amend the Future Land Use map (Schedule B) and expand
the boundaries of a Primary Centre when a proposal is consistent with Policy LU-9
and the following additional requirements:
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 Primary 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 area shall require
a study that assesses the impact on adjacent neighbourhoods with respect to
land use, traffic, urban design and other such impacts, and a rationale as to why
the proposal cannot be accommodated within the existing area of the Primary
Centre.
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UptownPrimaryCentre
An action strategy for the Uptown and Central Waterfront was developed in 2019
as part of the Central Peninsula Secondary Plan. The Central Peninsula Secondary
Plan acts as a guide for future development and investment decisions within the
Uptown and Central Waterfront areas to ensure the area continues to serve as the
major mixed-used centre serving the Greater Saint John Region. The Secondary
Plan for the Uptown and Central Waterfront aligns with the Municipal Plan vision and
directions which is to create a vibrant area that:
• Affords a 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;
• Supports and hosts businesses that provide outstanding quality goods and
services; and
• Supports and hosts knowledge-based industries that play a leading role in
transforming the economy of the City.
2020, C.P. 106-21
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 59
Councilshall:
Policy LU-13 Recognize the Uptown Primary Centre as the major business, office and retail area
within the City, 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 land uses to locate in the Uptown Primary Centre:
a. Major concentrations of government and other major office, financial, and
professional services in the City;
b. Major arts, culture, leisure and entertainment facilities;
c. Medium & high density residential, particularly in mixed-use developments;
d. Green space and public gathering places;
e. Specialty retailing;
f. Restaurant and related establishments, including bars;
g. Visitor attractions that are not location dependent;
h. Post-secondary and private educational facilities; and
i. Public transit and active transportation hubs providing links to and from key
destinations.
Policy LU-14 Recognize that parts of the federally owned Port lands have been identified on
the Future Land Use map (Schedule B) as part of the Uptown Primary Centre.
Notwithstanding the federal ownership and operation of these lands by the Saint
John Port Authority, the City encourages intensification of these lands in accordance
with the collective policies of the Uptown Primary Centre.
Policy LU-15 Encourage the development and redevelopment of lands in the Uptown Primary
Centre and ensure that updates to the Zoning Bylaw consider:
a. Establishing standards for mixed-use development and the location of active
ground-floor uses in commercial areas;
b. Establishing a height schedule to guide the development of taller buildings
in appropriate locations, consistent with the established urban form, and
establishing requirements for pedestrian scale street walls;
c. Establish parking standards to:
i. Permit reduced vehicular parking standards;
ii. Introduce bicycle parking and amenity requirements;
iii. Allow for a reduction in the provision of parking. Cash-in lieu for required
parking may be requested where appropriate, which could be directed towards
supporting public transit;
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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iv. Permit shared parking areas between uses, where zoning permits; and
v. Encourage the development of parking spaces within dedicated multi-level
structures to satisfy off-street parking requirements, when feasible.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Policy LU-16 Identify and pursue business development opportunities that attract new investment
and new ideas and provide a positive environment for new businesses and the
retention of existing businesses in the Uptown.
Policy LU-17 Actively promote the Uptown as an ideal place to live for families, older adults,
students, and young professionals.
Policy LU-18 Ensure the Uptown is a vibrant urban environment that welcomes entertainment,
dining opportunities, arts and cultural venues and events, and other people-oriented
uses.
Policy LU-19 Ensure 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 that can support it, while maintaining the
character of established lower intensity areas.
Policy LU-20 Ensure new construction in the Uptown is sensitive to its historic surroundings and
neighbourhood context; however, modern expressions of architecture in the Uptown
will also be encouraged.
Policy LU-21 Prohibit the development of automobile-oriented land uses in the Uptown such as
drive-through restaurants and gas bars.
Policy LU-22 Encourage programming such as events, formal and informal activities, and festivals
for outdoor venues and facilities in the Uptown and ensure adequate venues are
available for such programming.
Policy LU-23 Encourage the application of high quality urban design standards for development
within the Uptown Primary Centre by incorporating the Urban Design Principles,
established in the Municipal Plan, which support mixed-use urban forms of
development.
Policy LU-24 Encourage and facilitate commercial development opportunities at the street level by
creating active and transparent storefronts, where appropriate.
Policy LU-25 Ensure major new development provides opportunities for improved pedestrian
connections at the street level. Pedway extensions may be considered, only where
appropriate.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 61
Policy LU-26 Consider developing incentive programs that encourage design excellence, façade
improvement 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 along key corridors identified by
the Municipal Plan. The City shall also improve, wherever possible, the quality of the
physical environment through the planting of trees and other vegetation 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
parking. However, where deemed appropriate, surface parking may be permitted on
vacant or underutilized land on the fringe of the Uptown, in areas not visible from
the street, or outside of a Heritage Conservation Area.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Policy LU-29 Recognize and support enhancements to public transit service in the Uptown as a
catalyst for activity and development in the Uptown.
Policy LU-30 Encourage partnerships with Uptown Saint John Inc. and other community
stakeholders to promote the Uptown as a significant destination and ensure it is
beautified and maintained at a high standard.
UptownWaterfront
Central to the PlanSJ Vision and Directions is the celebration of the City’s many
waterfronts, and the positioning of them as defining elements of the City. The Inner
Harbour Land Use Plan, adopted by Council in 2003, identified a vision for the lands
that extend from the southern edge of Fallsview Park, overlooking Reversing Falls,
to the former Lantic Sugar site and Round Reef, including the Coast Guard Site
and Partridge Island. The area contains a rich diversity of cultural, historic, natural
and economic resources, including the Fort LaTour site, Partridge Island, Trinity
Royal Heritage Conservation Area, the former Strait Shore fishing village, the HMCS
Brunswicker facility, the Market Square complex, waterfront properties administered
by the Port, and a number of other strategic development sites owned by public
and private interests. Additionally, the vision for the Uptown Waterfront was further
updated and refined in the areas identified by the Central Peninsula Secondary
Plan as Long Wharf, Fundy Quay, the Central Waterfront and South Waterfront in
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
62
2019. The Municipal Plan provides a supportive land use framework to foster the
appropriate qualityandmix ofdevelopmentenvisioned by theInnerHarbourLand
Use Plan and Central Peninsula Secondary Plan.
The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan includes a development framework for the
Uptown Waterfront extending from Long Wharf to the area South of Broad Street.
This development framework provides a higher level of detail with respect to the
future development of this area, as compared to other parts of the City.
The Inner Harbour Land Use Plan also included a development framework for the
Uptown Waterfront area, described as the portion of the Inner Harbour extending
from the Fort LaTour site to the Lantic Sugar property. This provided a higher level
of detail with respect to the future development of this area, as compared to other
parts of the City. The development framework created for the Uptown Waterfront is
consistent with the PlanSJ Vision and Directions and the land use intentions for this
area described in the Inner Harbour Land Use Plan have been carried forward in the
Municipal Plan, outlined in both this section and the Urban Design Chapter of the
Municipal Plan.
For the purposes of the Municipal Plan, the Uptown Waterfront policies are included
within the Uptown Primary Centre land use policies and signal the intention for a
vibrant mixed-use area. In order to ensure development along the waterfront occurs
in a comprehensive manner, the Municipal Plan will support the establishment of
a Waterfront Zone in the Zoning Bylaw. All new major waterfront development will
be considered through a rezoning process to ensure the provision of a high quality
public realm, improved pedestrian accessibility, and a mix of land uses including
commercial, residential, cultural and other appropriate uses which benefit from a
waterfront location.
2020,C.P.106-21
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 63
Councilshall:
Policy LU-31 Provide a supportive framework for the development of the Saint John Inner Harbour
pursuant to the recommendations of the Central Peninsula Secondary Plan (2020).
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.
2020,C.P.106-21
Policy LU-31.1 Recognize that in the future there may be an opportunity to redevelop the
lands South of Broad Street, including the Barrack Green Armoury property to
accommodate more mixed-use, urban forms of development.
2020, C.P. 106-21
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 a rezoning process to ensure development
occurs comprehensively and in keeping with the principles of the Inner Harbour
Land Use Plan. In evaluating such proposals Council shall give consideration to the
following:
a. Providing increased public access to the Uptown Waterfront within development
sites and to and along the water’s edge;
b. Permitting uses which position the Uptown Waterfront as a catalyst for new
economic development and employment creation opportunities across the City;
c. Creating a diverse and interesting waterfront offering a mix of land uses and a
range of unique year-round activities and experiences;
d. Creating the potential for new residential development to accommodate
population growth in the Uptown Waterfront, the Uptown and the South End areas;
e. Providing 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. Facilitating better utilization of the community’s existing Uptown Waterfront
development assets and heritage sites, including Market Square, New Brunswick
Museum, Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area, the Fort LaTour site and
Partridge Island where appropriate;
g. Increasing the frequency and duration of tourist visits to the City;
h. Sustaining and enhancing the Saint John Port Authority’s cruise operations by
creating new, compatible integrated development opportunities;
i. Supporting the relocation of incompatible marine and industrial uses from the
Uptown Waterfront lands;
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j. Demonstrating innovation in sustainable planning, design, engineering and
management practices;
k. Promoting design excellence to create inviting places and high quality landmark
buildings;
l. Creating opportunities to connect waterfront assets to the City and Greater
Saint John Region with a land and water-based network that provides for ease of
movement between the Uptown Waterfront and areas beyond;
m. Providing an appropriate access and parking strategy, showing how the needs
of the project will be accommodated while also contributing to the needs of the
Uptown Waterfront;
n. Developing a comprehensive plan to provide a clear understanding of all key
aspects of the proposal, including proposed land uses, project statistics, design
concept, architectural treatment, and areas of public access and benefit;
o. Conforming to the principles, objectives and design guidelines outlined in the
Urban Design Chapter of the Municipal Plan; and
p. Providing infrastructure to accommodate visiting recreational boats.
UptownPrimaryCentreNeighbourhoodPlan
Policy LU-33 Establish a Neighbourhood Plan for the Uptown Primary Centre 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 Uptown Primary Centre;
c. Strategies to protect and promote the reuse of heritage assets;
d. The identification of investment priorities, particularly park and streetscape
improvements, the further development of Harbour Passage, and key public
linkages and views to the Harbour;
e. Priorities for transportation improvements, particularly investments that make
public transit, cycling, and walking easier and more attractive;
f. Strategies to accommodate the demand for parking while ensuring that parking
infrastructure contributes to the success and attractiveness of the Uptown;
g. Priorities for other infrastructure such as locating and relocating electrical and
telecommunications infrastructure underground; and
h. Such other matters as are desirable for the development of the area.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 65
UNBSJPlateau/RegionalHospitalPrimaryCentre
The UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre is intended to develop
to meet the needs of the existing cluster of health sciences and post-secondary
educational institutions to support growth in these knowledge-based sectors. It is
intended that the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre develop to
complement and not compete with the Uptown Primary Centre. The establishment
of a Neighbourhood Plan or Structure Plan for the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital
Primary Centre is intended to be a collaborative approach between UNBSJ, the
Regional Hospital and the surrounding community and City. Input from students, in
terms of their needs and preferences, will also be sought as part of the process for
a Plan, as campus and community life must support amenities and services being
sought by prospective students. Integrating stakeholders into the future development
of the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre will enrich it and ensure it
develops in a manner that meets the needs of its users and the broader community.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-34 Encourage the following uses and services to locate in the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional
Hospital Primary Centre:
a. Post-secondary education and other institutional facilities;
b. Medical and health-related services and facilities;
c. Laboratories, and research and development facilities;
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
66
d. Residential and commercial land uses consistent with a Neighbourhood Plan or
Structure Plan adopted by Council; and
e. A public transit and active transportation hub that supports travel to and from
other key destinations.
Policy LU-35 Establish a Neighbourhood Plan or Structure Plan for the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional
Hospital Primary Centre in collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick and
the community 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 Centre as a major learning and employment centre in the City;
b. The identification of investment priorities, particularly park and streetscape
improvements;
c. Priorities for transportation and other infrastructure improvements, such as bus
routes and stops, bicycle paths, pedestrian links, connections to surrounding
neighbourhoods, future streets, and shared parking facilities;
d. Key public amenities including parkland, trails, and public views;
e. Further improving the quality of amenities and life for the student population and
those employed in the UNBSJ Plateau / Regional Hospital Primary Centre; and
f. Such other matters as are desirable for the development of the area.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 67
LocalCentre
The Municipal Plan acknowledges 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 as well as a number of existing industrial land uses, which should
transition to more urban and neighbourhood-based land uses over time.
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 public transit investments to connect the two
Primary Centres and will provide a broader range of customers for the commercial
uses the City hopes to attract to this area.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-36 Create the Local Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule
B) 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 also encourage the development of
complementary medium and high density residential development and institutional
and community facilities.
Policy LU-37 Adopt provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to implement the policy objectives identified
in the Local Centre designation. Such Zoning Bylaw provisions shall provide for the
creation of a compact, mixed-use urban form that enhances pedestrian and transit
connectivity.
Mixed Use Centre
Mixed Use Centres are places located within Urban Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas which are appropriate for re-urbanization and where the Municipal Plan will
direct mixed commercial and medium to higher density residential development.
These include Lansdowne Centre in the Old North End, Prince Edward Square in
Waterloo Village and Main Street West.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-38 Create the Mixed Use Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B).
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Policy LU-39Within the Mixed Use Centre designation, permita 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-40 Achieve a minimum gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Mixed
Use Centre of 45 units per net hectare. Density shall not be calculated on a property
by property basis but shall be calculated in the Mixed Use Centre as a whole.
Policy LU-41 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 permissible commercial
uses.
Residential Density
In order to accommodate a range of growth and development appropriate to the
different Urban and Suburban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, three land use
designations for residential density are contained in the Municipal Plan. Each land
use designation describes a different level of intensity of development regarding
the type of housing and associated neighbourhood uses permitted: Medium to High
Density Residential, Low to Medium Density Residential and Low Density Residential.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 69
GeneralResidentialPolicies
Councilshall:
Policy LU-42Establishappropriate provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to require new development to
have appropriate setbacks, massing and height to create and maintain high quality
residential environments.
Policy LU-43 Ensure that water and wastewater services, parks and recreation services,
appropriate community facilities, and protective services are available.
Medium to HighDensity Residential
Councilshall:
Policy LU-44 Create the Medium to High Density land use designation on the Future Land Use
map (Schedule B).
Policy LU-45 Within the Medium to 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 the Municipal Plan, however, shall
be interpreted to prohibit lower density forms of residential development in this
designation, provided that minimum residential density targets have been met for
the Intensification Area as a whole. Other compatible uses may be permitted in
the Medium to High Density designation without amendment to the Municipal Plan
including, but not limited to convenience stores, home occupations, neighbourhood
retail uses, parks, and community facilities.
Policy LU-46 Achieve a minimum gross residential density per hectare in lands designated
Medium to High Density of 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-47 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw allowing for mixed-use development in the
Medium to High Density designation that includes the following general types of land
use:
• Residential development and Community facilities;
• Appropriate retail and office uses; and
• Live/work forms of development or home occupations.
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Policy LU-48Consider proposals to establish mixed-use development in the
Medium to High Density designation through a rezoning process.
Proposals must demonstrate conformance with the following
requirements:
a. The property is located on a collector or arterial street as
illustrated on the Transportation map (Schedule C) of the
Municipal Plan or is consistent with mixed-use development as
described in a Secondary 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.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Low toMediumDensityResidential
Councilshall:
Policy LU-49 Create the Low to Medium Density land use designation on the
Future Land Use map (Schedule B).
Policy LU-50 Within the Low to 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 to Medium Density designation without
amendment to the Municipal Plan including but not limited to
convenience stores, home occupations, parks, and community
facilities.
Policy LU-51 Notwithstanding Policy LU-50, recognize that new housing
development of higher density may be appropriate in the Low to
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 requirements:
a. Subject lands are adjacent to or in close proximity to collector or
arterial streets and transit routes;
b. Subject lands are located at the periphery of low density
residential neighbourhoods;
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 71
c. Subject lands are appropriately designed for the area in which it is located and is
encouraged insuitablesites forin-filldevelopment;
d. Subject lands are compatible with surrounding land uses;
e.Sufficient on-siteparkingandgreen spaceisprovided;
f. Site design features that address such matters as safe access, buffering and
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated; and
g. An exterior building design of high quality is provided that is consistent with the
Urban Design Principles of the Municipal Plan.
Policy LU-52 Achieve a minimum gross residential density per hectare in lands designated Low
to Medium Density of 35 units per net hectare and not 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-53 Notwithstanding Policy LU-50, encourage small neighbourhood retail and other
commercial uses on King Street West, particularly when implemented in a mixed-use
development.
Policy LU-54 Notwithstanding Policy LU-50, permit small neighbourhood retail and other
commercial uses elsewhere in the Low to Medium Density designation by rezoning
where compliance with the following requirements is demonstrated:
a. The site is located on an arterial or collector street, as illustrated on the
Transportation map (Schedule C) of the Municipal 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;
c. The maximum gross floor area of commercial uses does not exceed 500 square
metres; and
d. 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.
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LowDensityResidential
Councilshall:
Policy LU-55 Create the Low Density land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B).
Policy LU-56 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 the Municipal Plan including, but not limited to convenience stores,
home occupations, parks, and community facilities.
Policy LU-57 Achieve a gross residential density per net hectare in lands designated Low Density
of not less than 20 units per net hectare and not 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.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 73
Policy LU-58Notwithstanding Policy LU-56, permit a limited number of new higher density
residential developments such as grade-oriented townhouse, apartment and
condominiumdwellingssubjecttoarezoningprocesswheresuchdevelopment
demonstrates compliance with the following requirements:
a.The subject land is adjacent to or in close proximity to collector or arterial streets
and transit routes;
b.The subject land is located at the periphery of low density residential
neighbourhoods;
c.Thesubjectlandissuitableforinfilldevelopment;
d.Thedevelopmentiscompatiblewithsurroundinglanduses;
e.Sufficient on-siteparkingandgreen spaceisprovided;
f.Site design featuresthataddresssuchmatters as safe access,bufferingand
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated;
g.An exterior building design of high quality is provided that it is consistent with the
Urban Design Principles in the Municipal Plan; and
h.Nobuilding hasa height exceedingfour(4) storeysunlessspecificallypermittedin
aNeighbourhoodPlanorStructurePlan.
3.5.2EmploymentAreas
The City’s Employment Areas are a foundational component of the Municipal Plan.
A critical element to the creation of a successful urban area is the provision of an
adequate supply of well located, high quality employment lands to accommodate
the needs of business and industry.The City’s ability to retain existing employment
uses and create new employment activity will largely dictate the degree of growth
and development that will take place over the planning period. The Municipal Plan
creates five land use designations to accommodate employment in the community:
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
EMPLOYMENTAREAS
PrimaryPrimary
CentreCentre
RegionalRegional
RetailCentreRetailCentre
EmploymentBusinessStableHeavyLight
AreaCentreCommercialIndustrialIndustrial
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
74
RegionalRetailCentre
Regional Retail Centres are the large-format retail and service concentrations in the
City. These Regional Retail Centres provide retail development that is designed to
be accessed primarily by automobile, although this Municipal Plan sets out policy
seeking improvements to ensure pedestrians, cyclists, and those using public transit
can benefit from improved access to these important amenities. Regional Retail
Centres have been identified in the East and West of the City.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-59 Create the Regional Retail Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) to identify the two areas of the City where large format commercial and
retail development will be directed: McAllister Regional Retail Centre and Fairville
Boulevard Regional Retail Centre.
Policy LU-60 Acknowledge that each Regional Retail Centre in the City is unique and will evolve
differently to serve the needs of the community. Council intends that:
a. McAllister Regional Retail 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 Regional Retail Centre is a secondary, more community-based
Regional Retail Centre which will contain less intensive commercial retail
and service-based uses intended to primarily serve residents west of the
St. John River.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 75
PolicyLU-61Whenconsideringdevelopment inthe RegionalRetailCentres:
a. Ensure the specific land uses established in the Regional Retail Centre are
appropriate and strengthen the role of the City’s Primary Centres;
b. Strongly discourage new major professional offices and to locate;
c. Encourage quality urban design and where possible, more intense land use and
development;
d. Require development applicants to demonstrate consideration of transit and
pedestrian connectivity to the street and between retail locations;
e. Ensure development contributes to a more pedestrian-oriented atmosphere
by minimizing surface parking lots, encouraging shared parking, increasing
landscaping and improving sidewalks and streetscaping; and
f. Ensure infrastructure improvements made necessary by a development are
generally the financial responsibility of the developer.
2019, C.P. 106-18
Policy LU-61.1 Consider proposals to establish higher-density residential or mixed use development
in the Regional Retail Centre designation through a rezoning process. Proposals
must demonstrate conformance with the following requirements:
a. The property is located on a collector or arterial street as illustrated on the
Transportation map (Schedule C) of the Municipal Plan or on an appropriate site
supported by the findings of a traffic impact study;
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 development is in a location where all necessary water and wastewater
services, parks and recreation services, schools, public transit and other
community facilities and protective services can readily and adequately be
provided;
d. The proposal is compatible with surrounding land uses;
e. Site design features that address such matters as safe access, buffering and
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated;
f. A high quality exterior building design is provided that is consistent with the Urban
Design Principles in the Municipal Plan; and
g. The proposal 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.
2019, C.P. 106-18
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
76
McallisterRegionalRetailCentre
Policy LU-62 Require the preparation of a comprehensive stormwater management plan that
addresses current flooding and stormwater management issues in the McAllister
Regional Retail Centre, and proposes measures to mitigate and/or resolve them,
prior to major new development in the McAllister Regional Retail Centre. Council
shall seek the cooperation of property owners in the McAllister Regional Centre to
successfully implement the stormwater management plan.
Fairville Boulevard RegionalRetailCentre
Policy LU-63Require the preparation of a neighbourhood plan or structure plan for the Fairville
Boulevard Regional Retail Centre, which shall contain statements of policy with
respect to:
a. Coordinating land uses and infrastructure improvements in the area;
b. Identifying opportunities to encourage the intensification of the Lancaster Mall
site with retail and service facilities directly abutting Fairville Boulevard;
c. Identifying a phasing strategy for short, medium and long-term land use changes
that are compatible and not competitive with the McAllister Regional Retail
Centre;
d. Further encouraging the relocation of incompatible land uses from the area to the
City’s Industrial Parks;
e. Setting detailed standards for land use, site design principles, landscaping,
access arrangements, street/transportation improvements, transit routes, and
other infrastructure improvements;
f. Providing improved linkages and transitions between the Regional Centre and
adjacent neighbourhoods; and
g. Establishing priorities for community improvements.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 77
BusinessCentres
Business Centres are concentrations of light industrial and commercial development
generally located on or adjacent to arterial streets in the City. These Business
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 the Somerset Business Park, these areas are
generally not identified for significant new development. Over time these Business
Centres may evolve into mixed-use areas, in a manner that is appropriate to the
surrounding context.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-64 Create the Business Centre land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) which is used to identify lands in the City 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 require more space than can generally be accommodated in the
Primary Centres.
Policy LU-65 Ensure the Zoning Bylaw contains appropriate provisions to ensure the redevelopment of lands in
the Business Centre designation benefit from high quality urban design, extensive landscaping,
pedestrian connectivity and restrictions on outdoor storage.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
78
Policy LU-66Ensure the Business Centre designation is generally used 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 road access, availability of
public transit, necessary municipal servicing, compatibility with surrounding land
uses; and
c. The proposed development demonstrates high site design with extensive
landscaping, pedestrian connectivity, buffering and limits on outdoor storage.
Specific redevelopment or expansion of a Business Centre, if approved, will
demonstrate enhanced connectivity to the streetscape.
Policy LU-67 Recognize that in the future there may 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-68 Recognize that the Somerset Business Park has been established west of Somerset
Street adjacent to Technology Drive. It shall be the policy of Council to encourage the
use of these lands for an appropriate range of technology, knowledge, laboratory
and research-based businesses, as identified in the Zoning Bylaw. 2021, C.P. 106-27
Policy LU-68.1 Recognize that in the future there may be an opportunity to redevelop the lands
generally bound by Union Street, Crown Street, Marsh Creek, and City Road to
accommodate more mixed-use, urban forms of development. It is Council’s
intention to consider further amendments to transition this area over the long term
to an urban development pattern, such as those found in adjacent areas in the
Uptown and Waterloo Village.
2020, C.P. 106-21
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 79
StableCommercial
These lands include a number of existing neighbourhood commercial areas which
are generally built-out and are not anticipated to receive major change over the
planning period. However, these Stable Commercial Areas have the potential for
greater mixed-use development beyond the planning period.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-69 Create the Stable Commercial land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B). Within the Stable Commercial designation a range of commercial uses
exist which 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 the proposal does not negatively affect surrounding land
uses. In addition, other compatible uses may be 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-70 Ensure that significant new development and redevelopment in areas designated
Stable Commercial is permitted only when subject to a rezoning process, where
compliance is demonstrated with the following criteria:
a. 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;
b. The proposed land use is desirable and contributes positively to the
neighbourhood;
c. The proposal is compatible with surrounding land uses;
d. The development proposal is in a location where all necessary water and
wastewater services, protective services, and appropriate transportation
infrastructure including public transit is provided;
e. Site design features that address such matters as safe access, buffering and
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated; and
f. A high quality exterior building design is provided that is consistent with the Urban
Design Principles in the Municipal Plan.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
80
IndustrialAreas
The City’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 recognizes that while these industrial and manufacturing
operations are critical to our economic growth, industrial land uses can significantly
affect the quality of life in adjacent neighbourhoods and they must be carefully
located to maximize their benefit to the community. As a result, lands appropriate for
industrial development should be retained for future industrial use.
In order to address this, the Municipal Plan establishes two industrial designations
to steer industrial uses to their most appropriate location: the Light Industrial
designation and the Heavy Industrial designation. 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 within carefully planned industrial parks to fuel the
community’s future growth.
New major heavy industrial land uses are generally not appropriate inside of the
Primary Development Area. Many large-scale, heavy industrial facilities, such as the
existing Canaport LNG terminal, the Coleson Cove Electrical Generating Station, and
the solid waste management facility at Crane Mountain, are best suited to their
isolated locations outside of the Primary Development Area and may or may not be
serviced with municipal servicing. As such, it is anticipated that future proposals for
any new major heavy industrial investment will require the re-designation of rural
lands to accommodate them. Residential land uses are inappropriate in the Heavy
Industrial designation given the extensive industrial nature of the land use and as
such, these uses shall not be permitted under any circumstance 2014, C.P. 106-8
GeneralIndustrialPolicies
Councilshall:
Policy LU-71 Concentrate major new industrial developments in Industrial Parks.
Policy LU-72 Prohibit residential development in industrial areas to avoid potential land use
conflicts.
Policy LU-73 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to limit commercial and retail uses in
industrial areas and to limit the scale of retail sales associated with industrial uses.
Policy LU-74 Encourage the relocation of incompatible light and heavy industrial uses located
throughout the City to properly designated and zoned industrial areas.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 81
Policy LU-75Recognize that the community’s significant industrial base gives rise to the
potential for new unanticipated large-scale industrial developments that cannot be
accommodated by the lands currently designated industrial in the Municipal Plan,
and because of the heavy industrial nature of the land uses, they are best suited
to large, independent sites outside of the Primary Development Area. Council may
consider applications to re-designate additional lands to Heavy Industrial on the
Future Land Use map (Schedule B) outside of the Primary Development Area and
shall consider the following in evaluating such proposals:
a. Adequate lands designated for Industrial development are not available or there
is a demonstrated need for the proposed industry to be sited in a particular
location;
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, safety, and/or environmental impacts
associated with the development;
c. Due consideration is given to site suitability including such considerations as
transportation needs, necessary municipal servicing, landscaping and buffering;
and
d. There are clearly demonstrated social and economic benefits to the proposal.
2014, C.P. 106-8
Heavy IndustrialAreas
Councilshall:
Policy LU-76 Create the Heavy Industrial land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B). The Heavy Industrial designation is intended to accommodate
industrial operations which may have a significant detrimental effect on the safety,
use, amenity, or enjoyment of adjacent or nearby sites due to appearance, noise,
odour, emission of contaminants, fire or explosive hazards, or dangerous goods.
Uses in the Heavy Industrial designation may utilize the City’s water and wastewater
systems. 2014, C.P. 106-8
Policy LU-77 Where there are Heavy Industrial land uses which emit pollution or present possible
safety risks Common Council consider the use of the best practice guideline of 1.5
km as an appropriate separation distances and/or buffer from incompatible land
uses. Within the 1.5 km buffer, Common Council should consider not increasing
the density of existing incompatible land uses adjacent to existing heavy industrial
facilities when they are proposed. This will ensure that further intensification of
incompatible land uses does not occur around these facilities in the future.
2014, C.P. 106-8
Policy LU-78 Risk assessment and mitigation is an integral component of a Heavy Industrial land
use planning approval process for a community. Where a new Heavy Industrial facility
is proposed and/or where an Environmental Impact Assessment or Environmental
Assessment has been triggered as part of an investment into an existing or proposed
heavy industrial facility, the City shall require, through a condition of rezoning or
through request of the provincial or federal approval process, that an applicant
submit technical reports that are in conformity with the City of Saint John Risk
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
82
Assessment and Emergency Response Guidelines, when these guidelines have been
adopted by Common Council. 2014,C.P.106-8
Policy LU-79 Generally prohibit the designation of land as Heavy Industrial which is not located in
an Industrial Park specifically designed to accommodate such uses.
Policy LU-80 Notwithstanding Policy LU-75, 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-zoning of lands that are contiguous with these existing
uses to Heavy Industrial without an amendment to the Municipal Plan, provided the
proposed use is generally compatible with the surrounding land uses, appropriate
mitigative measures are provided, transportation needs can be accommodated, and
municipal servicing is adequate to service the proposed expansion. 2014, C.P. 106-8
Policy LU-80.1 Within existing Industrial Parks located inside of the Primary Development Area that
are designated Heavy Industrial, generally permit only light industrial and medium
industrial zoned land uses. Where an applicant can satisfy the requirements of the
City of Saint John Risk Assessment and Emergency Response Guidelines for the
siting of a Heavy Industrial land use inside the Primary Development Area, such a
use may be considered by Common Council as part of a rezoning application.
2014, C.P. 106-8
Policy LU-80.2 Heavy Industrial lands along King William Road may be considered for Green Energy
Development subject to criteria outlined in Section I-2 and 3.6.1 2019, C.P. 106-20
Spruce Lake Industrial Park 2025, C.P. 106-38
Council shall:
Policy LU-80.3 Notwithstanding LU-8 and LU-80.1, the City shall establish the Spruce Lake
Industrial zone in the Zoning By-law to be utilized for lands designated Heavy
Industrial in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park. The zone will primarily accommodate
commercial, and low-emitting light and medium industrial uses, with nuisances or
risks contained on-site. The zone shall also permit limited heavy industrial uses
subject to zone-specific conditions including setbacks and Risk Assessments.
Policy LU-80.4 Within the Spruce Lake Industrial Park, establish a 150-metre undeveloped
and undisturbed buffer between residential properties and Heavy
Industrial lands by applying the Parks and Natural Areas land use designation
on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B), allowing only passive recreation
uses such as trails.
Policy LU-80.5 For use within the Spruce Lake Industrial Park, the Spruce Lake Industrial zone
shall create a framework for tiered setbacks dependent upon the intensity of
the land use and proximity to residential property lines.
Policy LU-80.6 The Spruce Lake Industrial Park zone shall create a framework for maximum height
dependent upon the distance from residential property lines.
Policy LU 80.7 The Spruce Lake Industrial zone shall establish criteria for the completion of Risk
Assessments. This will identify the uses in which a Risk Assessment is mandatory,
and for which uses a Risk Assessment will be at the discretion of City Staff.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 83
LightIndustrialAreas
Council shall:
Policy LU-81Create the Light Industrial land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(ScheduleB). The Light Industrialdesignationis intendedto accommodate industries
which generally do not create nuisances, such as noise, heavy truck traffic, smoke,
dust, heat, particulate matter, or highly visible outdoor storage, which extend 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 will be connected to the City’s water and wastewater
systems.
PolicyLU-82Establish provisionsintheZoningBylawthat:
a.Limit outdoor storage in Light Industrial areas and, where it exists, require that
it be screened from adjacent uses and public areas and kept in a neat orderly
manner;
b.Mayrequirecertainlightindustrialactivitiestobelocatedwithinenclosedbuildings;
c.Permitonlylimitedancillaryactivities,suchasoffices,thatareuseddirectlyin
conjunctionwiththelightindustrialuse.
3.5.3Corridors
The Corridors identify stretches of the main arterial road network which serve a
range of purposes for residents and businesses. At this time, one type of Corridor
has been identified that serves the specific needs of business along Rothesay
Avenue, adjacent to the Saint John Throughway.
CORRIDORS
CharacterCorridor
PrimaryCorridor
CommercialCorridor
CommercialCorridor
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
84
CommercialCorridors
Commercial Corridors are located along the major thoroughfares in the City 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 major linkages between the
Primary Centres, Employment Areas, and Intensification Areas.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-83 Create the Commercial Corridor land use designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) 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, however, new
residential uses and major professional offices will generally not be permitted.
Policy LU-84 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 and parking
areas.
Policy LU-85 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 the Transportation map (Schedule C); and
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.
Policy LU-85.1 Recognize that in the future there may be an opportunity to redevelop the lands
identified as Commercial Corridor designation adjacent to City Road in Schedule A to
accommodate more mixed use, urban forms of development. It is Council’s intention
to consider future amendments to transition the redevelopment of this area to a
more urban pattern of development, consistent with adjacent areas in the Uptown
and Waterloo Village.
2020, C.P. 106-21
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 85
3.5.4Other Areas
There are three land use designations in the Other Areas category to describe the
remaining land uses within the Primary Development Area.
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
OTHERAREAS
Stable
StableArea
Major
Residential
CommunityFacility
UrbanReserveUrbanReserve
StableResidential
These lands include a number of existing neighbourhoods in the City which are
generally built-outand are not anticipated to receive major change over the planning
period. These neighbourhoods are within the Primary Development Area, are
generally on municipal services, and have the potential to accommodate additional
development, at a scale and density consistent with the surrounding context.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-86Create the Stable Residential designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule
B).Within the Stable Residential designation, housing of almost every form and
densitymay be foundandboth theexistingneighbourhoodcontextandcompatibility
with the Municipal Plan goals will determine suitability of new proposals.Other
compatible uses that may be found in the Stable Residential designation include
convenience stores, home occupations, parks, and community facilities which are
permitted in the designation without amendment to the Municipal Plan.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
86
Policy LU-87Intend that the areas designated Stable Residential will evolve over time from a
land use and built-form 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-88 Ensure that significant new development and redevelopment in areas designated
Stable Residential shall generally be permitted only through a rezoning process
where compliance is demonstrated with the following requirements:
a. The proposed land use is desirable and contributes positively to the
neighbourhood;
b. The proposal is compatible with surrounding land uses;
c. The development is in a location where all necessary water and wastewater
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 address such matters as safe access, buffering and
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated;
e. A high quality exterior building design is provided that is consistent with the Urban
Design Principles in the Municipal Plan; and
f. The proposal is on a property identified as a Corridor on the City Structure map
(Schedule A) 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.
Major CommunityFacilities
The City has a number of major institutions and other significant facilities that
serve the broader 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 they do not negatively impact adjacent land uses and are appropriately
located for convenient access by all transportation modes.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-89 Create the Major Community Facilities designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B) to accommodate a range of larger-scale institutional uses including,
but not limited to, high schools and post-secondary educational facilities, major care
facilities, recreation facilities, places of worship and assembly, and other government
and community uses.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 87
Policy LU-90Ensure that new major community facilities that are used by residents across the
City and the Greater Saint John Region 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 requirements:
a. The proposed land use is desirable and contributes positively to the
neighbourhood;
b. The proposal is compatible with surrounding land uses;
c.The developmentis in a locationwhereall necessary water andwastewater
services, protective services, and appropriate transportation infrastructure
including public transit can be provided;
d. Site design features that address such matters as safe access, buffering and
landscaping, site grading and stormwater management are incorporated;
e. A high quality exterior building design is provided that is consistent with the Urban
Design Principles in the Municipal Plan; and
f. Public transit and active transportation links are provided to and from other key
destinations.
Urban Reserve
Lands designated Urban Reserve are not required to accommodate development
demand over the planning period. The intent of the Urban Reserve designation is to
retain a supply of land that can be serviced with municipal water and wastewater
services if required beyond the planning period or if actual growth exceeds projected
development demands. Urban Reserve lands are to be carefully managed to
preserve the potential for future urban expansion.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-91Create the Urban Reserve designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B) in
order to retain undeveloped lands within the Primary Development Area for future
growth and development beyond the planning period.
Policy LU-92 Strongly discourage development in the Urban Reserve designation and only permit
limited low density residential uses, resource uses excluding extraction activities
such as pits and quarries, and other appropriate uses which do not impede future
urban development. The Zoning Bylaw shall establish the necessary controls for the
development of land within this designation.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
88
3.6LandUseDesignationsoutside
the Primary Development Area
3.6.1RuralAreas
The Cityis a large municipality which is comprised of over 300 square kilometers of
land.Council has identified that urban development is most appropriately located
within the boundaries of the Primary Development Area (PDA).The Municipal 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,
where appropriate and permitted.In order to manage land use in the Rural Areas
of the City, the Municipal Plan creates four land use designations which apply to the
City’s Rural Areas:
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
RURALAREAS
Rural
Rural
ResourceAreaResourceArea
RuralRural
SettlementAreaSettlementArea
RuralRural
IndustrialAreaIndustrialArea
Rural
StableArea
ResidentialArea
CHAPTERTHREE|LANDUSE89
GeneralPolicies
Councilshall:
Policy LU-93 Discourage new residential roads in the Rural Areas except in areas designated
Rural Settlement Area.
Policy LU-94 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw and the Subdivision Bylaw to limit
subdivision development in the Rural Areas outside the Primary Development Area.
The City shall generally require that new lots outside the PDA have a minimum lot
area of four (4) hectares (40,000 square metres) except as otherwise provided in a
specific rural land use designation.
RuralResourceArea
The majority of the lands within the City’s Rural Areas are located in the Rural
Resource Area designation. These lands are intended to facilitate resource related
activities, where appropriate, such as forestry operations, wind and solar energy
development, agriculture, fisheries, and extraction activities, including pits and
quarries. Limited residential and other land uses may be contemplated.
2019, C.P. 106-20
Councilshall:
Policy LU-95 Create the Rural Resource Area designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule
B). Council intends that land within the Rural Resource Area designation shall
generally remain in their natural state, or, subject to regulation and required
approvals, be used for appropriate resource uses including forestry operations, wind
and solar energy development, agriculture uses including livestock operations and
the fishery, and extraction activities, including pits and quarries.
Provide that wind and solar energy developments may be located in the Rural
Resource Area designation. Wind energy development shall be permitted provided
that the land is rezoned to the Green Energy zone, and solar energy development
shall be permitted in both the Rural and Green Energy zones. The Green Energy zone
defines the specific performance standards for their operation, and the rehabilitation
of operative and inoperative wind and solar energy developments. In considering
applications to rezone a property to the Green Energy Zone, Council shall ensure the
proposed use can demonstrate compliance with the following:
a. The proposal is in conformity with the goals, policies and intent of the Municipal
Plan;
b. Compatibility with and/or minimal impact on existing adjacent land uses;
c. Submission of measures to mitigate storm water drainage, noise, and other
impacts;
d. Where appropriate, the provision of visual screening for solar energy developments;
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
90
e.Shall not be locatedwithin municipally ownedParks including, butnot limitedto
Rockwood Park;
f. All application policies from Section I-2.
2019, C.P. 106-20
2025, C.P. 106-42
Policy LU-96Providethatpits andquarriesmay belocatedin theRuralResourceAreadesignation
provided the land is rezoned to the Pits and Quarries Zone. The Pits and Quarries
Zone defines the specific performance standards for their operation, and the
rehabilitation of operative and inoperative pits and quarries. In considering
applications to rezone a property to the Pits and Quarries Zone, Council shall ensure
the proposed use can demonstrate compliance with all of the zone provisions,
including:
a. Compatibility with and/or minimal impact on existing adjacent land uses;
b. An appropriate location and acceptable hours of operation;
c. A stormwater management plan;
d. Incorporation of site development measures which will assist in the control of
smoke, dust, odour, toxic materials, vibration and noise;
e. Compliance with required setback, yard, and separation distances from existing
roads or uses;
f. The provision of visual screening;
g. Acceptable location for buildings and equipment;
h. Inclusion of necessary safety and protective measures;
i. Acceptable location of entrances and exits, and the designation of acceptable
hauling routes;
j. Demonstrated compliance with signage and landscaping provisions; and
k. Measures to ensure future rehabilitation of the site.
Policy LU-97 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 four (4) hectares (40,000 square metres) and have
direct access to an existing public or private street.
Policy LU-98 Consider permitting new residential development in Rural Resource areas provided
that it demonstrates compatibility with existing resources related uses.
Policy LU-99 Generally not accept the dedication of new public streets within the Rural Resource
Area designation unless Council determines that the new roadway is necessary to
provide safe access to the development or is necessary to improve connectivity
between developments in the general area.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 91
Councilmay:
Policy LU-100Consider requests to re-designate lands from Park and Natural Area to Rural
Resource Area provided that the land does not contain environmentally significant
features, a demonstrated potential exists for a resource-related use of the land, and
any environmental and/or community quality of life impacts from the proposal can
be mitigated to a level deemed acceptable by Council.
RuralSettlementArea
The City has expanded over time, through amalgamation, to incorporate a number
of historic rural communities, several of which are identified in the Municipal Plan
as Rural Settlement Areas. These Rural Settlement Areas are Martinon to Ketepec,
Lorneville and Treadwell Lake. These communities are where additional small scale
rural residential and supporting commercial and community uses will be permitted.
Any new, low density residential development in these settlements is intended to
be compatible with a rural lifestyle and with the existing community character. New
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 residential growth in these Settlement Areas is intended to
better utilize the City’s investments in community infrastructure in these places and
ensure this lifestyle choice can continue.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-101 Create the Rural Settlement Area designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule
B). Council intends that lands within the Rural Settlement Area 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 private on-site water and
wastewater systems is permitted, as are appropriate commercial uses, community
facilities, home occupations, and parks.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Policy LU-102Permit the creation of new lots that have a minimum lot area of less than four (4)
hectares (40,000 square metres) subject to compliance with the provisions in the
Zoning Bylaw.
Policy LU-103 Acknowledge that the Lorneville Rural Settlement Area is home to a traditional fishery
and that in the Lorneville Rural Settlement Area, land uses that support the continued
viability of the fishing industry will be permitted.
Rural Residential Area
The Rural Residential Area designation applies to those lands which accommodate
existing or approved low-density residential development that is not located within a
Rural Settlement Area, is unserviced, and is located beyond the Primary Development
Area. The Municipal Plan seeks to curtail this form of development in the future by
limiting further subdivision of lots for this purpose.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-104 Create the Rural Residential designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B).
Council intends that land within the Rural Residential Area 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 Council prior to the adoption of the
Municipal Plan. Council will permit other compatible uses including home occupations,
parks, and community facilities without amendment to the Municipal Plan.
Policy LU-105 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 Area designation except
where such an application is necessary to recognize an unintentionally omitted
existing or approved legal land use.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 93
Policy LU-106Permit the creation of new lots that have a minimum lot area of less than four (4)
hectares (40,000 square metres) in the Rural ResidentialArea subject to compliance
with the provisions in the Zoning Bylaw and in keeping with the rural character of the
area. Council shall permit the creation of no more than two (2) new lots from a host
parcel and will not permit the creation of any more than one (1) new access driveway
per lot to a collector or arterial roadway as a result of such subdivisions, except
where approved by Council prior to the adoption of the Municipal Plan.
Policy LU-107 Generally not accept the dedication of new public streets or the creation of new
private streets within the Rural Residential Area designation unless Council
determines that the new street is necessary to provide safe access to the proposed
development or is necessary to improve connectivity between existing developments
in the general area.
RuralIndustrialArea
Repealed. 2014, C.P. 106-8
Councilshall:
Policy LU-108 Repealed. 2014, C.P. 106-8
Councilmay:
Policy LU-109 Repealed. 2014, C.P. 106-8
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3.7Land Use Designations Common
tothePrimaryDevelopmentArea
& the Rural Area
3.7.1Common Land Use Designations
The Municipal Plan contains two land use designations which are found in both the
Primary Development Area and the Rural Area: Park and Natural Area and Federal
Transportation.
CITYSTRUCTURELANDUSE
COMMONTOTHEPDA&RURALAREAS
Parkand
Parkand
NaturalAreaNaturalArea
FederalFederal
TransportationTransportation
CHAPTERTHREE|LANDUSE95
Park and Natural Areas
Lands in the City designated Park and Natural Areas are generally not appropriate
for any form of development, including resource uses. These lands are intended
to form a system of natural areas to help conserve natural ecosystems and include
lands designated as park, lands identified as being environmentally sensitive or
significant, lands located adjacent to watercourses and lands within the City’s
protected watersheds, coastlines, and estuarine areas.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-110 Create the Park and Natural Areas designation on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B).
Council intends that the Park and Natural Areas designation will permit a range of
conservation and appropriate 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, buffer between land uses, designated heritage places and cemeteries.
Council may permit commercial recreation uses in the Park and Natural Areas designation subject to
appropriate standards in the Zoning Bylaw. Council may permit wind and solar energy development in
the Park and Natural Areas designation outside of the Primary Development Area, subject to federal
and provincial environmental approvals and conditions and standards in the Zoning By-law.
When reviewing an application for rezoning, refer back to Policy LU-95.
2025, C.P. 106-38
Policy LU-111 Provide further direction with respect to land use in the City’s regional and
community parks through the policies contained in Chapter 10 of the Municipal Plan.
Policy LU-112 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, and is at a minimum consistent with Provincial
standards.
Policy LU-113 Acquire lands in the City’s protected watersheds, when possible, and manage these
lands such that their primary function is to ensure the provision of safe, clean
drinking water.
FederalTransportation
TheFederalTransportationdesignationrecognizeslandsonpropertyownedby the
Government of Canada used for federal work or undertaking of transportation and
includes the Port and the Airport. In the case of the Airport, the lands are located
in the Rural Area and the City supports airport related uses on these lands. The
Future Land Use map (Schedule B) illustrates the City’s preferred land use intentions
for some of the Port lands slightly differently from those of the Airport, recognizing
that a large portion of the Port lands are centrally located in the heart of the City’s
urban core. These portions of the Port lands, located within the Uptown‘s central
waterfront area, have been placed in the Uptown Primary Centre designation,
reflecting the City’s preferred future use of these lands for mixed-use development.
The Federal Transportation designation has been applied over the Uptown Primary
Centre designation as an overlay to acknowledge that despite these intentions for
the Port lands, the City recognizes it has limited land use authority on these
properties.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Councilshall:
Policy LU-114 Create the Federal Transportation designation on the Future Land Use map
(Schedule B).
Policy LU-115 Use the Federal Transportation designation 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-116 Recognize the Federal Transportation designation overlays some of the Saint John
Port Authority lands in the Uptown Primary Centre area. Consistent with Policy LU-14,
the City intends that these Port Authority lands be reserved for urban mixed-use
development and compatible marine uses in accordance with the policies of the
Uptown Primary Centre.
Policy LU-117 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-118 Recognize that the Saint John Airport Authority leases a significant land base to
support the operation of the Airport. The City supports the use of these lands for
purposes that are related to general air transportation, where compatible with
adjacent City watershed lands. Off-site impacts from the nature of airport operations
can have a significant impact on both the quality of life for residents within close
proximity of this facility and the ability of the airport to make necessary investments
in its operation. Common Council should consider off-site impacts from new land
uses when an application to re-designate or re-zone land that is within the noise
contour overlays and height restrictions of the airport operation is made.
2014, C.P. 106-8
Policy LU-119Convey to the Government of Canada and the Saint John Airport Authority the
community’s 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. Council may consider amendments to the Municipal Plan
should the Saint John Airport Authority provide a business case and supporting land
use plan that is generally consistent with the vision and directions of PlanSJ and is
acceptable to the Saint John community and Council.
Policy LU-120 Encourage the Saint John Port and Airport authorities to further develop their land
use frameworks in a manner consistent with the Municipal Plan. The City intends to
collaborate with these agencies in aligning these visions.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 97
RefertoPoliciesLU-71throughLU-82foradditionallandusedesignationscommon
to the Primary Development Area and the Rural Area
3.8General Land Use Policies
The following section of the Municipal Plan includes 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,
however, 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-121 Guide the development of ancillary uses by establishing maximum thresholds in the
Zoning Bylaw for uses which may be permitted ancillary to the main use.
OfficeDevelopment
Policy LU-122 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-123 Permit the retail sale of automobiles only in areas designated Regional Retail Centre
and Commercial Corridor.
Policy LU-124 Guide the design, layout and other spatial standards pertaining to gas bars / service
stations / vehicle repair shops and drive-through restaurants through appropriate
standards in the Zoning Bylaw and the following criteria:
a. The use is located on a collector or arterial street, as defined on the
Transportation map (Schedule C) of the Municipal 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 Area designation; and
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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d. Appropriate site design features including landscaping and adequate buffering
from adjoining properties is incorporated into the development.
Community Facilities
Policy LU-125 Recognize that the provision of child care facilities is critical to support the economy
and meet the needs of families in the City. Council shall generally provide that child
care facilities for fewer than 16 children shall be permitted in all designations in
the City except the Heavy Industrial designation or the Rural 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 other such locations deemed
acceptable by Council, in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Zoning
Bylaw.
Policy LU-126 Encourage the reuse of existing schools and places of worship, preferably for other
community uses and in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Zoning
Bylaw.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 99
Non-ConformingUses
Generally, developmentproposalsthatdonot conformto thelandusepolicies set
out in the Municipal Plan are not permitted, however, it is necessary to recognize
that in a historic City such as Saint John, land uses exist in locations that may
not be appropriate under best practices in land use planning today. While it is
not possible to force relocation of these facilities, the New Brunswick 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 to encourage such uses to change to more
appropriate land uses over time.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-127 Continue to allow non-conforming uses to carry on with their operations in
accordance with the relevant requirements of the New Brunswick Community
Planning Act, however, the City will encourage the relocation of incompatible uses to
more appropriate locations in accordance with the land use hierarchy set out in the
Municipal Plan.
PublicUtilities
Public utility facilities and buildings provide necessary transmission, support or other
functions to deliver electricity, gas and other utilities to properties. These uses are
found in all areas of the City, however, not all utility functions may be appropriate
in all locations. It is necessary to ensure these buildings and facilities, built with
functionality in mind, fit well within the character of the neighbourhoods that
surround them.
Councilshall:
Policy LU-128 Regulate the location of all public utility uses through the Zoning Bylaw to ensure the
impact of such uses on surrounding land uses is minimized, and where necessary,
mitigated.
Policy LU-129 Encourage public utility providers to utilize existing utility corridors within the City
when siting new facilities, wherever possible.
Policy LU-130 Encourage the placement of public utility facilities below ground, whenever possible.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
100
3.9Land Use Monitoring
& Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor
and evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies and
regularly report to Council and the community on measures including, but not
limited, to:
1. Percentage of the population living and/or working in the Primary
Development Area, the percentage of the population living and/or
working within a Neighbourhood Intensification Area, and the
percentage of the population living and/or working in a Primary Centre.
2. Population density in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas
and Primary Centres.
3. Percentage of the population of the Greater Saint John Region
living in the City.
4. Value of new construction in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas
and Primary Centres.
5. Percentage of non-residential tax base located in the Primary
Development Area.
6. Number of residential units constructed, by Land Use designation,
and as a percentage of the total number of units constructed.
7. Total amount (square metres and construction value) of new
commercial and industrial floor space.
8. Number of vacant lots in Centres and Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas.
9. Value of redevelopment on vacant land or in underutilized properties
in Centres and Neighbourhood Intensification Areas.
CHAPTER THREE | LAND USE 101
4 Urban Design
4.1UrbanDesign Goals106
4.2 The Public Realm 107
4.2.1 Uptown Waterfront 109
4.3 Urban Design & Built Form 111
4.3.1 General Urban Design Principles 111
4.3.2 Urban Design Principles for Stable Areas 114
4.3.3 Urban Design Principles for Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas and Primary Centres 115
4.3.4 Urban Design Principles for the Uptown Waterfront 117
4.3.5 Urban Design Principles for Employment Areas 119
4.3.6 Urban Design Principles for
Rural Settlement and Rural Residential Areas 120
4.4 Building Urban Design
Awareness & Success 120
4.5 Urban Design Monitoring
& Review Metrics 121
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 103
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
104
Urban design is an important city building process that intentionally shapes
elements of the built and natural environment in a clear, functional and
meaningful way to create great places. Urban Design plays an important
role in strengthening the community’s civic image and character, as well as
its economic potential and quality of life. As Canada’s oldest incorporated
city, the City boasts world class heritage architecture which has been
carefully preserved through a series of Heritage Conservation Areas, and
which provides a solid urban design tradition on which to build upon for
the future.The Municipal Plan provides an urban design framework that
respects the City’s strong urban design tradition while also encouraging
high quality innovative design that is reflective of the contemporary times
and capable of injecting variation and design interest within the urban
environment. The intent of the urban design framework is to guide the
creation of new, enduring, and memorable places in the City representing
the next generation of heritage legacy for the City.
The Municipal Plan supports the City in in the City requiring approval of Council.
becoming a recognized leader in urban These Principles establish a set of
design. This will require strong City expectations applicable to both the
leadership to support high quality place public realm and building design to
making through strategic investments in create walkable, beautiful and inviting
the public realm, including streetscape neighbourhoods that exhibit a high
improvements, housing incentives, and quality of design. They set the stage for
revitalization of arts, culture, and heritage the creation of built form provisions to
assets. It will also require support of be incorporated into the Zoning Bylaw
which address site and urban design
and commitment from the development
considerations including appropriate
community to the urban design framework.
standards related to building height and
Collectively, these combined actions will
increase the attractiveness of all parts of
scale, the relationship between buildings,
the City and in particular the Intensification
the street and other public spaces, and
Areas, encouraging increased private
site landscaping. Over time it is intended
investment and community enrichment.
that neighbourhood specific Urban Design
Guidelines will be created through the
The urban design framework presented in
development of Neighbourhood Plans or
the Municipal Plan focuses on achieving
Structure Plans for the areas identified for
design excellence to reinvigorate the
City’s urban core, providing a model for future detailed planning, as shown on the
transforming other areas of the City. Areas for Detailed Planning map (Map B),
and many of these guidelines may also be
This Chapter sets out Urban Design
incorporated into the Zoning Bylaw.
Principles to be applied to all development
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 105
4.1UrbanDesignGoals
1Ensure all development and significant
redevelopmentwithintheCitycontributespositively
to the structure and urban form of the City through
all aspects of its design.
2Reinforcethesenseofplaceanddistinctcharacter
of the City’s diverse Stable Areas, Centres and
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas.
3Encourageattentiontocivicdesign,architectural
quality and excellence to foster the creation
of distinctive, contemporary development and
redevelopmentthatiswell-suitedtoitstimeand
place.
4Create inviting, accessible places and streetscapes
that enhance people’s safety, comfort and
enjoyment of the public realm, and improve the
humanexperienceoftheCitybyofferingappropriate
opportunities for year-round interaction and
enjoyment.
5Promote a vibrant, diversemix ofactivities in a
compact, accessible setting.
6Provide flexibility in urban design with the intent to
encourageinnovativedesignsolutionsthatrespond
to the unique conditions or project.
7Celebrateourwaterfrontsasspecialpublicplaces
and enhance the quality of waterfronts and public
access to waterfronts.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
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4.2The Public Realm
The public realm consists of a variety of public and publicly accessible places and
spaces where people interact, including sidewalks, streets, parks, squares and
open spaces. These important public areas can be enhanced and defined by the
elements found within them, including vegetation and landscaping, benches, light
poles, transit shelters and public art, as these features all work together to enhance
character and lend a unique or special identity to a public space. Creating a vibrant
public realm requires high quality design and the provision of function, comfort, style
and safety to make the space attractive and universally accessible.The Municipal
Plan recognizes the importance of building and maintaining a unique, accessible
and vibrant public realm throughout the City.
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 waterfronts; and
d. Off-street trails and bikeways.
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 107
Policy UD-2Recognize that streets, rights-of-way and sidewalks are significant public places
and, accordingly, their design should balance their multiple roles and functions by
ensuring that they, whenever possible, can:
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; and
d. Provide for comfort and social interaction with pedestrian amenities, such as
planted boulevards, street furniture, lighting and patios, where appropriate.
Policy UD-3 Enhance the quality, sustainability and attractiveness of public areas, especially
municipal parks and squares, by:
a. Designing versatile open spaces to support different formal and informal activities
and uses at different times of the day and all seasons of the year;
b. Maintaining and enhancing public walkways and bike paths;
c. Incorporating local history, public art and culture into site design and amenities;
d. Promoting comfort in public areas through the provision of benches, trees and
other features which provide users with protection from the elements;
e. Providing public garbage and recycling receptacles to promote cleanliness; and
f. Utilizing attractive and hardy landscaping to provide visual interest in all seasons.
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Policy UD-4Recognize that municipal investment in the public realm can act as a catalyst for
new development and significant redevelopment, and therefore Council intends
to direct municipal investment in public realm enhancements to Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas, where it deems it both appropriate and feasible.
4.2.1UptownWaterfront
The Uptown Waterfront, as defined in the Land Use Chapter of the Municipal Plan, is
recognized as a significant asset to the Greater Saint John Region requiring special
attention and investment to provide publicly accessible, high quality public spaces.
The quality of the public realm throughout the Uptown Waterfront area will provide a
key piece of the organizing structure for private investment by identifying important
public placesfor gathering and by defining key points of connection in the circulation
network. The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan provides policy guidance for the
redevelopment of the Central and Southern portions of the Uptown Waterfront.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Council shall:
Policy UD-5 Recognize the Uptown Waterfront as 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 Consider the following guidelines for the development and enhancement of the
public realm in the Uptown Waterfront:
a. Maximize opportunities to provide direct public access or proximity to the water.
Areas that are currently accessible will be protected and enhanced for public
use. Harbour Passage will continue to be reinforced and enhanced 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. Design the public realm to celebrate the City’s ‘natural animators’ – the Port and
the tides - and encourage water-related activities;
c. Reinforce and emphasize important pedestrian connections from the Uptown
Waterfront to key streets in the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area, in
particular along King, Princess, Duke, Charlotte and Sydney Streets;
d. Make improvements to important pedestrian crossings, including Water Street
and St. Patrick Street, to enhance pedestrian safety;
e. Use the physical interface between sites in the Waterfront, and between the
Uptown Waterfront and the Uptown to reinforce interesting and animated edges
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 109
throughpedestrianconnections,landscaping,newbuildingsandpublicplaces
that collectively create interesting and inviting places;
f. The quality and character of public spaces, landscapes and buildings in the
Uptown Waterfront are essential to creating a memorable experience. Design
buildings and open space projects to a very high standard with the use of quality
materials and site furnishings to achieve durability and minimize maintenance
costs, while also characterizing the Waterfront as an evocative and unique place;
g. Provide a combination of inviting hard surfaced public spaces (boardwalks,
recreation trails and cruise ship aprons) and soft public spaces (parks) on the
Waterfront;
h. Make public spaces as comfortable as possible all year round and sufficiently
versatile to accommodate a wide range of potential programming designed to
be 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. Reinforce Market Slip and Loyalist Plaza as the primary location for waterfront
events, due to their combined size, visibility and location in the Uptown and
adjacent to 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. Design to mitigate the negative effects of the natural elements, while also
developing spaces that are equally comfortable to individuals and to crowds;
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
110
l. Encourage the inclusion of design competitions for public spaces and public art
in the planning and design for the development of key sites within the Uptown
Waterfront;
m. Make public art of a scale commensurate with its setting and in locations
that offer synergistic relationships with surrounding activities. The dramatic
tidal fluctuations of the Bay of Fundy offer a unique opportunity to explore and
communicate this natural phenomenon using public art as the medium;
n. Enhance connections – street, pedestrian, transit, and trail - to and through the
Uptown Waterfront 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. Design connections to the adjoining communities to
minimize potential pedestrian/vehicular conflicts and to accommodate a range of
active transportation modes, including public transit;
o. Extend the existing grid of City streets and infrastructure where necessary to allow
for new development and to provide important new connections to and through
the Uptown Waterfront;
p. Utilize streetscape elements, including street furniture, street lighting and
landscaping, to create a cohesive experience and sense of place; and
q. Demonstrate a well-articulated building façade with a regular pattern of windows
and a highly transparent ground floor façade on both the street and waterfront
edges for all waterfront development.
4.3 Urban Design& Built Form
4.3.1 General Urban Design Principles
The General Urban Design Principles are intended to be applied to major
development proposals, City-wide, where Council approval is required.
Neighbourhood specific Urban Design Guidelines will be developed for key areas,
described on the Future Land Use map (Schedule B), to be used in evaluating
development proposals in those areas.
Councilshall:
Policy UD-7 Establish a height and built form framework in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure the intent
for design excellence as part of the future City Structure is implemented.
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 111
Policy UD-8Adopt 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
the preparation of an urban design brief demonstrating how the proposal meets
the Urban Design Principles in order to support the review of applications to rezone
property for major development proposals.
Policy UD-9 Ensure all development proposals generally conform to the following General Urban
Design Principles:
a. That new development respect and reinforce the existing and planned context
in which it is located through appropriate setbacks, landscaping, buildings
entrances, building massing, architectural style and building materials.
Specifically, the built-form of new development shall be designed to achieve the
following objectives for specific areas of the City:
i. In Stable Areas, as identified on the City Structure map (Schedule A), 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
on the City Structure map (Schedule A), 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 in height and massing 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 to promote the development of a vibrant mixed-use, and
publicly accessible waterfront;
iv. In Employment Areas, as defined on the City Structure map (Schedule A),
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 Areas; and
v. In Rural Areas, as defined on the City Structure map (Schedule A), 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 the Municipal Plan.
b. Locating building entrances facing the public street;
c. Designing sites to incorporate existing natural features and topography;
d. Designing sites to protect, create and/or enhance important view corridors to the
water or landmark sites or buildings;
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e.Incorporating innovations in built form, aesthetics and building functionto
encourage high quality contemporary design that will form the next generation of
heritage;
f. Where appropriate and desirable, encouraging active pedestrian-oriented uses
and a high level of transparency at grade to reinforce and help animate the public
realm;
g. Designing sites, buildings and adjacent public spaces as complete concepts with
integrated functions;
h. Using quality, durable building materials and a consistent level of design and
detail for all elements of the building;
i. Designing for visual interest by incorporating well-articulated building façades,
landscaping, local history, public art and/or culture into sites and buildings;
j. Directing high-rise buildings to appropriate areas and ensuring their design is
sensitive to the neighbourhood and/or heritage context;
k. Encouraging sustainability in design by:
i. Utilizing reused, recycled, renewable or local building materials where possible;
ii. Using green building or neighbourhood standards;
iii. Designing for energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy;
iv. Designing for water conservation and on-site stormwater management;
v. Promoting the conservation and adaptive re-use of existing buildings and
designing sites to retain mature trees;
vi. 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
vii. Using native vegetation for landscaping where appropriate.
l. Designing sites and buildings according to the Crime Prevention through
Environment Design (CPTED) principles to promote safety and security, in balance
with other urban design goals; and
m. Locating and screening parking and loading facilities so they are generally
not visible from the street, particularly in Centres and Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas;
n. Limit surface parking between the front of a building and the public street or
sidewalk;
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o.Design safe anddirectaccessto buildings forpedestrians,cyclists andtransit
users by providing walkways from the public street, transit stops, and parking
areas to main building entrances and including bike parking and end-of-trip
facilities, where appropriate, and mid-block connections where possible;
p. Design sites and building accesses that are barrier-free, convenient and have
clear signage; and
q. Generally locating surface parking, outdoor storage, loading and other service
areas at the rear or side of the property and buffering or screening these
functions from adjacent properties and the public realm.
4.3.2 Urban Design Principles for Stable Areas
Stable 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 to redevelopment and new development within Stable Areas, where
Council approval is required.
Councilshall:
Policy UD-10 Ensure that new development and redevelopment in Stable Areas is designed
to respect and reinforce the physical character and uses of the surrounding
neighbourhood, having regard for:
a. The local pattern of lots, streets and blocks;
b. The size and configuration of lots;
c. Nearby building types;
d. The height, scale and massing of nearby buildings;
e. The setback of buildings from the street;
f. The pattern of rear and side yard setbacks;
g. Sensitive integration with and enhancement of adjacent heritage properties; and
h. Building materials which contribute to the successful integration of the
development into its context.
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4.3.3 Urban Design Principles for Neighbourhood Intensification
Areas and Primary Centres
The City Structure Chapter of the Municipal 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 in design is crucial to enhancing the quality of life and
sense of place in these areas. The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan establishes
urban design policies for the Uptown Primary Centre.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Councilshall:
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 and buildings for people as the primary focus and with setbacks
that are generally consistent with those of adjacent buildings;
b. Creating animated, active streetscapes with interesting façades and human scale
buildings and setbacks, particularly at the street level. Within the Uptown and
other Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, development should generally
establish a human scale street wall with an appropriate ratio between the street
wall height of the building and the width of the street;
c. Where appropriate, ensure heritage streetscapes and Heritage Conservation
Areas are reinforced with compatibly scaled and designed development;
d. Providing active ground floor uses and avoiding blank façades. Along commercial
streets in the Uptown Primary Centre in particular, commercial uses shall be
strongly encouraged at the ground floor of buildings with a high degree of
transparency at grade to animate the public realm;
e. Strongly encourage new development to provide ground floor ceiling heights that
are consistent with the ground floor ceiling heights of adjacent buildings;
f. Creating appropriate transitions in scale and height to areas of lower intensity;
g. Defining appropriate standards for above grade step-backs and separation
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 115
distancesofbuildingstoensureadequatestreetlevelconditionswithrespectto
minimizing wind and maximizing sun penetration and sky exposure;
h. Generally locating building entrances to connect directly to the public street
network and clearly articulating the building entrance;
i. Designing sites and buildings that are barrier-free, convenient and have clear
signage;
j. Promoting pedestrian comfort with appropriate landscaping, furniture, weather
protection and buffers from vehicular traffic;
k. Designing for active and alternative modes of transportation by providing
convenient access to buildings from transit stops, including bicycle parking and
end-of-trip facilities where appropriate, and mid-block pedestrian connections
where possible;
l. Designing sites and buildings to facilitate social interaction by including patios,
courtyards, plazas and sidewalk amenity space wherever possible to enliven the
public or semi-public realm;
m. Designing sites and buildings for visual interest and maximum use in different
seasons and at different times of the day;
n. Including a variety of uses in buildings and/or sites to allow for a diversity of uses
and users; and
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o.Encouraging sharedelementsbetweenusessuchas parking, entrances,
landscaping and amenity spaces.
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 and where zoning permits;
b. Sharing and minimizing the width of driveways and curb cuts across 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. Generally locating surface parking, outdoor storage, loading and other service
areas at the rear or side of the property and buffering or screening these
functions 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, and clearly signed if they are not visible from the
public street.
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 Inner 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 Uptown Waterfront and will be considered a critical component of waterfront
applications. The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan establishes policies to set the
intention for land use and design for the City’s waterfront and guide the City’s review
of development proposals within the Uptown Waterfront, in addition to the following
Urban Design Principles.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Councilshall:
Policy UD-13 Encourage waterfront locations within the Uptown Waterfront to 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
CHAPTER FOUR | URBAN DESIGN 117
the sitetobeintensified over time.Theobjectiveistopromotethe highestand
best use of waterfront lands so that a critical mass of activity is achieved;
b. A mix of uses will be provided in new development proposed on larger site(s)
and/or where more than one building is proposed. Appropriate uses include:
residential, business or commercial, institutional, Port-related, and community
facility or public uses;
c. Active public uses will be located at grade in new buildings which demonstrate
a well-articulated building façade with a regular pattern of windows and a
highly transparent ground floor façade on both the street and waterfront edges
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 as well 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 the
Uptown;
e. 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. The Municipal Plan
recognizes that the presence of cruise ships in the Uptown Waterfront is an
important part of the City’s 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 public views to and from the Inner Harbour will be maintained
and enhanced by organizing new development to frame existing public views and
sight lines, towards the Harbour as well as back into the City, and to open up new
public views and sight lines not currently available;
i. That new development incorporates appropriate transitions in building heights,
stepping down to the water’s edge where appropriate;
j. Landmark or iconic buildings will be developed at strategic locations throughout
the Uptown Waterfront. All such buildings with direct frontage onto the waterfront
will be designed as evocative waterfront icons, identifiable from the water or from
the City;
k. The architectural vernacular of the Uptown will be respected in development along
the Waterfront, through compatibility in character and quality, materials, massing
and scale;
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l. New or expanded small craft facilities will be an important part of the public
realm and movement network within the Uptown Waterfront;
m. Uses that draw or serve the public, at many times of day and across seasons will
be provided;
n. ‘Active building faces’ are achieved by strategically locating public and/or private
uses capable of animating public routes and spaces;
o.Mid-block public pedestrianconnectionsto thewaterfrontwill be providedor
protected in current and future phases of development;
p. Buildings will be highly transparent at grade in order to permit public views from
the street side through to the Harbour side; and
q. Parking areas will not be permitted between the public street and the building
front.
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
gas 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.
Councilshall:
Policy UD-15 Ensure new development and significant redevelopment in Employment Areas is
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
streets and provide appropriate landscaping; and
c. Designing buildings, streetscapes and lighting at a human scale.
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4.3.6 Urban Design Principles for Rural Settlement
and Rural Residential Areas
Councilshall:
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 BuildingUrbanDesign
Awareness & Success
Councilshall:
Policy UD-17 Encourage an open discussion and exchange of ideas between developers, design
professionals, the public, City staff, Council and the Planning Advisory Committee
in considering design elements of applications for new development and significant
redevelopment.
Policy UD-18 Ensure neighbourhood specific Urban Design Guidelines are developed as a required
component of Neighbourhood Plans or Structure Plans. These will support a form-
based approach to neighbourhood planning and may be integrated into the City’s
Zoning Bylaw.
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’s Planning and Development Department.
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120
4.5 Urban Design Monitoring
& Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor
and evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies and
regularly report to Council and the community on measures including, but not
limited, to:
1.Inclusion of more detailed urban design guidelines in Neighbourhood Plans or
Structure Plans.
2. Total dollars spent by the City, and the percentage of the capital budget this
represents, for streetscaping improvements, public realm investments, and
associated maintenance.
3. The percentage of buildings in the Uptown that have active street-level facades,
such as sidewalk cafes and transparent storefronts.
4. Private investment and increases in value following City investment in the public
realm, as calculated by five-year rolling assessment values in area where public
realm investments have been made.
5. Value of private sector investment on waterfront lands and opportunities for
public access to the waterfront.
6. The number of street trees planted by the City each year.
7. Establishment of City of Saint John Awards for Urban Design.
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5 Neighbourhoods
& Housing
5.1Neighbourhoods&HousingGoals126
5.2 General Housing Policies 127
5.3 Affordable Housing 128
5.4 Supportive Housing 129
5.5 Boarding & Rooming Houses 129
5.6 Secondary Suites 130
& Garden Suites 130
5.7 Home Occupations 130
5.8 Daycare Facilities 131
5.9 Manufactured Housing 131
5.10 Home-based Tourist Accommodation 132
5.11 Vacant Residential Properties 132
5.12 Neighbourhoods & Housing
Monitoring & Review Metrics 133
CHAPTER FIVE|NEIGHBOURHOODS & HOUSING
123
The importance of supporting and enhancing neighbourhoods is central to
the viability and well-being of the City. 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.
The City is comprised of many distinct residential neighbourhoods,
characterized by their history, location and in particular, the housing styles,
types and tenure. To enhance and maintain the livability of the City, 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
over time to meet the changing needs of residents, neighbourhoods risk losing
the people that make them vibrant places to call home.
The Municipal Plan recognizes the shared responsibility of all levels of
government and community agencies have in providing housing for all income
levels. The City will continue to work with the Government of New Brunswick
and the Government of Canada to ensure there is access to a range of
affordable housing types and tenure, to meet the needs of the 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.
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125
5.1Neighbourhoods&HousingGoals
1Provide an appropriate range of housing types,
unit sizes, affordability and form of ownership at
various densities and scales that meet the needs
andincomelevelsofcurrentandfutureresidents
of the City.
2Promotebuildingdesignsanddensitiesfornew
housing which efficiently use land, resources,
infrastructure and public facilities, and support
and contribute to safe, vibrant and pedestrian-
friendly streetscapes and neighbourhoods.
3Support opportunities to increase the quality
ofavailablehousing,particularlywithrespect
to the existing rental stock available in core
neighbourhoods.
4Ensureanadequatesupplyofaffordablehousing
and housing for residents with special needs
isavailableandintegratedintothecommunity,
where appropriate.
5Directthemajorityofnewhousingdevelopment
to the Primary Development Area where
infrastructure and public facilities are or will be
available.
6Support stable residential neighbourhoods and
ensurethatnewdevelopmentandredevelopment
maintainsand enhances the character of these
existing neighbourhoods.
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126
5.2 General HousingPolicies
Councilshall:
Policy HS-1 Monitor the land supply for housing across the City, to ensure it is adequate to meet
the housing needs of all residents.
Policy HS-2 Support the development of a wide range of housing types and forms of
tenure in Neighbourhood Intensification Areas to redevelop and revitalize these
neighbourhoods, in accordance with good land use planning principles.
Policy HS-3 Develop neighbourhood specific Urban Design Guidelines in Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas, through the creation of neighbourhood plans or structure
plans, to ensure appropriate integration of new development and redevelopment.
Policy HS-4 Encourage the provision of student housing in close proximity to educational
institutions and major transit routes.
Policy HS-5 Promote the inclusion of sustainable (‘green’) design elements in new residential
development, where appropriate and where possible.
Policy HS-6 Monitor housing tenure, particularly in the Neighbourhood Intensification Areas, to
ensure a balanced supply of rental and homeownership opportunities.
Policy HS-7 Encourage the Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada to
support measures to increase the quality of the existing housing stock such as the
creation of targeted incentive programs, where appropriate.
Policy HS-8 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-9 Continue to work with the Government 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-10 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.
Policy HS-11 Support poverty reduction initiatives through neighbourhood enrichment activities,
undertaken in collaboration with other levels of government and key stakeholders.
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127
5.3 Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is the core responsibility of the Government of New Brunswick
and the Government of Canada; however, the City will support the provision of
affordable housing whenever possible.
Councilshall:
Policy HS-12 Pursue the opportunity to partner with other 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 over time so that it always adds value to
neighbourhoods.
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5.4 SupportiveHousing
Councilshall:
Policy HS-17Encourage the provision of housing for people with special needs, including senior
citizens, group homes and shelters, to integrate into appropriate 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 provisions 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.
5.5 Boarding& Rooming Houses
Councilshall:
Policy HS-19 Permit boarding and rooming houses in appropriate 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:
a. Maintain an adequate separation distance between boarding and rooming
houses;
b. Ensure compatibility and character with the host residential neighbourhood;
c. Ensure the quality of the housing is safe and appropriate and meets all applicable
Codes and Bylaws; and
d. Ensure the adequate provision of on-site parking and landscaping.
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5.6 Secondary Suites
& Garden Suites
Councilshall:
Policy HS-20 Permit the provision of secondary suites and garden suites in appropriate residential
areas within the Primary Development Area, subject to appropriate requirements as
set out in the Zoning Bylaw and compliance with the Building Bylaw.
Policy HS-21 Permit the provision of Secondary Suites and Garden Suites in Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas, subject to the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw, to increase
the diversity of housing choice, increase the affordability of the rental stock, and
increase residential density.
5.7 HomeOccupations
Councilshall:
Policy HS-22 Permit home occupations in residential areas which are operated by a resident of
the dwelling, subject to the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw, and compliance with
the Building Bylaw and the following criteria:
a. The home occupation 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 home occupation is of such a nature that it does not involve excessive client
traffic and/or truck traffic for the purpose of goods movement;
d. Home occupation signage is unobtrusive and appropriate in scale and character
for the residential area; and
e. The home occupation do not produce smoke, dust, fumes, or noise to an extent
that it would create incompatibility with adjacent or nearby residential uses.
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5.8 DaycareFacilities
Councilshall:
Policy HS-23Permitsmall-scale,in-homeneighbourhooddaycareinallresidentialneighbourhoods
where operated by a resident of the dwelling, for a maximum of 15 children, subject
to compliance with the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw and compliance with the
Building Bylaw to ensure:
a. The daycare 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 ManufacturedHousing
Councilshall:
Policy HS-24 Permit manufactured housing in all areas of the City, in accordance with Zoning
Bylaw provisions and the National Building Code.
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131
5.10Home-basedTouristAccommodation
Councilshall:
Policy HS-25Permit small-scale tourist accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts, in all residential
neighbourhoods where they are operated by a resident of the dwelling, subject to provisions
established in the Zoning Bylaw and the following criteria:
a. The tourist accommodation 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.
5.11VacantResidentialProperties
Councilshall:
Policy HS-26 Encourage property owners of vacant properties within residential neighbourhoods in
Neighbourhood Intensification Areas to landscape the property so it positively contributes to the
surrounding neighbourhood.
Policy HS-27 Discourage the use of vacant properties within residential neighbourhoods in the Neighbourhood
Intensification Areas for surface parking; however, where permitted by Council, surface parking
shall only be granted as a temporary use.
Policy HS-28 Support initiatives that create and enhance neighbourhood identity and a sense of place for
residents and the community.
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5.12 Neighbourhoods & Housing
Monitoring & Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited, to:
1. The number of dwelling units constructed, and percentage of total
units constructed that this represents, by form/type.
2. The number of dwelling units constructed, and percentage of total
units constructed that this represents, by tenure.
3. The number of dwelling units constructed, and percentage of total
units constructed that this represents, by price range.
4. The number of dwelling units constructed, and percentage of
total units constructed that this represents, in each land use
designation and in each Neighbourhood Intensification Area.
5. Percent of the population spending more than 30% of their income
on housing.
6. Number of vacant and/or derelict buildings being rehabilitated
or demolished across the City and in each Neighbourhood
Intensification Area.
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133
6 Economic Prosperity
6.1EconomicProsperityGoals138
6.2 Improving Quality of Life 139
6.3 Economic Diversification 140
6.4 Sustainable Economic
Development 141
6.5 Workforce Development 142
6.6 Tourism 143
6.7 An Economic Development
Strategy for the City 143
6.8 Economic Prosperity Monitoring
& Review Metrics 145
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 135
The City has a long history as a major commercial and industrial centre of
national prominence. Today, the City is at the centre of the regional economy,
providing employment for those inside and outside the City boundaries. The
economy remains rooted in the manufacturing and distribution of products
moved by sea including potash, petroleum, and forestry products however
continues to diversify into many other sectors. In fact, research conducted
for PlanSJ confirms that the City 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 Information Technology
clusters, which are creating further opportunities for growth in the community.
The Municipal 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 Municipal Plan designates a range of places within the City
for commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses to ensure there is an
excellent physical location for each type of employment land use. This Chapter
identifies a range of policies that will be pursued by the City to achieve long
term economic prosperity. These policies will work in conjunction with the
other policies of the Municipal Plan to create a supportive environment for
economic growth and to achieve the City’s objective of making the City a
complete community.
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 137
6.1EconomicProsperityGoals
1Supportthedevelopmentofastrong,diversified,
andresilienteconomy.
2Enhance the quality of life and the quality of the
urbanenvironmentin theCity to support economic
prosperity.
3SupportthedevelopmentoftheCity’seconomy
by attracting new investment to the City and
expanding the population and workforce.
4Identifyappropriatelocationsforawiderangeof
employment uses that support economic growth
while enhancing quality of life in the community.
5Work cooperatively with the City’s economic
developmentpartnersandallstakeholdersinthe
community to:
a.Project a positive image of the City as a place to
live and as a place to do business.
b.Cultivateanentrepreneurialbusinessspiritto
support economic prosperity and community
success.
c.Createandimplementeconomicdevelopment
strategies that support the PlanSJVision and
Directions, strengthen the local economy, and
enhance quality of life in the community.
d.Increase the attractiveness of the City as a
destinationforvisitorsaswellasforresidents.
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138
6.2 ImprovingQuality of Life
Technology and transportation have made the world a smaller 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 business decision on where to locate is the quality of the built space and
the community’s ability to support their business, provide appropriate and desirable housing,
recreational amenities, opportunities for arts and culture, and other quality of life elements.
Similarly, in an economy where labour is scarce and cities must compete for a limited pool of
workers, employees have more freedom to choose where they want to live and this strongly
influences the location-based decisions made by employers.
Councilshall:
Policy EP-1 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.
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 139
6.3 Economic Diversification
The Municipal Plan has a role to play in ensuring that the City continues to support
and grow a diversified and prosperous economy. In addition to the City’s ability to
attract and retain the required workforce, it is essential that appropriate land is
supplied for a diverse range of employment uses and in appropriate locations. The
City plays an active role in supplying the land necessary to accommodate economic
growth through the work of Saint John Industrial Parks Limited (SJIPL). The Municipal
Plan calls for the creation of an Industrial Parks Strategic Plan for the industrial
parks to maximize the City’s opportunities for growth. Further to this, 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 diverse number of sectors.
Councilshall:
Policy EP-2 Ensure that an appropriate inventory of land is available in the City 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 and where possible, ensure that an appropriate inventory
of land is available for the diverse range of industrial uses proposed by the Municipal
Plan.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Policy EP-4Encourage Saint John Industrial Parks Limited to create an Industrial Parks Strategic
Plan that includes the following:
a. The identification of appropriate locationsfor 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
industrial growth;
c. The development of strategies to ensure the necessary transportation and
servicing infrastructure, including stormwater management, is provided to
accommodate anticipated industrial growth in an efficient and sustainable
manner;
d. Urban design and streetscape guidelines to enhance the appearance of the City’s
industrial parks, including private properties within the parks; and
e. Strategies to market the City and its industrial parks as an ideal location for new
industrial investment.
Policy EP-5 Work with partners in economic development to develop appropriate programs,
strategies, and initiatives to encourage and support further diversification of the
City’s economy.
6.4 SustainableEconomic
Development
The City is committed to sustainable economic development. One of the pillars to
achieve this is the development of an economy that supports the community and
its residents while providing a stable and predictable environment for business to
succeed; as a prosperous economy must not come at the cost of compromising our
environment and our social and cultural resources. A significant element to ensuring
economic sustainability is the City’s commitment to the PlanSJ Vision and Directions
and to the provision of effective and efficient municipal services to support economic
prosperity.
Councilshall:
Policy EP-6 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 Recognize that a strong commitment to the implementation of the PlanSJ Vision
and Directions and the delivery of efficient and effective municipal services and
infrastructure are important to foster economic prosperity in the community.
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 141
6.5 Workforce Development
The City’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. Like in other Canadian Cities, the City’s population is aging
and there are fewer young people to assume the jobs left behind as people retire. It
will be critically important that the City’s young receive the education and training
they require to enter the local workforce. It will also be important to encourage youth
to choose the City as the place they want to call home and encourage people from
outside the community to move to the City.
Councilshall:
Policy EP-8 Strongly encourage the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada,
and local post-secondary institutions to develop appropriate programs of education
and training to ensure the City’s youth are prepared to enter the local workforce.
Policy EP-9 Work with the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada, and local
post-secondary institutions to ensure that appropriate locations are provided for
continued learning and training opportunities. Co-location of facilities is encouraged
wherever possible.
Policy EP-10 Work with other levels of government and other partners in economic development
to encourage immigration to the City to ensure the community has the workforce it
requires to further develop the community’s economy.
Policy EP-11 Recognize the important role the City plays in welcoming new immigrants to the
community through the delivery of programs and services. The City intends to
ensure its services are sensitive and responsive to the needs of new residents of the
community.
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6.6 Tourism
Tourism in the City is an increasingly important element of the local and regional
economy. The City has a number of assets and amenities which attract visitors for
both business and pleasure. The City, in cooperation with the destination marketing
organization, will work to promote the City as a destination and partner with local
businesses and groups to provide attractions and facilities for tourists.
Councilshall:
Policy EP-12 Work with tourism agencies and the community to support the marketing of key
destinations in the City and the Greater Saint John Region.
Policy EP-13 Ensure the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre continues to operate as a first-
class facility in order to continue to attract users.
Policy EP-14 Support the Saint John Port Authority in growing the number of cruise ship visits to
the City and support the community in continuously improving the experience for
residents and visitors.
6.7 An Economic Development
Strategy for the City
The Municipal Plan establishes a new direction for growth and development in
the City. The policies in the Municipal Plan focus community support to create a
more urban City and enhance the quality of life for residents. The economy creates
the personal and community wealth necessary to grow the City and improve the
infrastructure and services provided by the City. A robust economy is a pre-requisite
to fully realizing the PlanSJ Vision and Directions.
The economic policies in the Municipal Plan are fully integrated with the land use
planning process and the municipal planning processes which advance the delivery
of all essential services and infrastructure required to support the success of the
City. The City requires a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan
supported by the City and all of its partners in economic development to provide a
clear path toward future prosperity.
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 143
Councilshall:
Policy EP-15 Work with its partners in economic development to establish an Economic
Development Strategic Plan that advances the Vision and Directions established
in PlanSJ. The Economic Development Strategic Plan 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 the PlanSJ Vision and Directions;
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. Health sciences and associated technologies;
ii. The energy and renewable energy sectors;
iii. Education and learning;
iv. Information and communication technology;
v. Arts and culture;
vi. Tourism;
vii. Advanced manufacturing; and
viii. Other industries complementary to existing established uses
in the City.
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 the City has an available and
skilled workforce to support economic prosperity;
e. Strengthening working relationships with the Government 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 Inc., the Saint John Board of Trade, the Saint John Airport
Authority and the Saint John Port Authority;
g. Encouraging the development of a culture of entrepreneurship in the community
and supporting the establishment and ongoing success of locally-owned
businesses; and
h. Establishing mechanisms to measure progress and implementation of the
Economic Development Strategic Plan and to share these results with the
community on an ongoing basis.
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6.8 EconomicProsperityMonitoring
& Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1.Totalemploymentbysector.
2.Constructionofcommercialandindustrialfloorspacewithin
thePrimaryDevelopmentAreaandineachEmploymentArea.
3. The commercial and industrial vacancy rates.
4. The number of visitors to the City and their estimated
contributions to the local economy.
5. Labour force participation rates by population cohort and
level of education.
CHAPTER SIX | ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 145
7 Natural Environment
& Energy
7.1NaturalEnvironment&EnergyGoals150
7.2 Environmental Sustainability 151
7.3 Air Quality 152
7.4 Water Quality 153
7.5 Natural Areas & Land 155
7.6 Flooding & Stormwater
Management 157
7.7 Local Food 158
7.8 Energy Efficiency 159
7.9 Climate Change 159
7.10 Natural Environment & Energy Monitoring & Review Metrics 161
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 147
The natural environment provides the elements we require for life: air, water,
food and fuel. Human wellbeing and economic and social activity depend
on a healthy natural environment. Today, however, human activity is placing
increasing pressure on the natural environment. As a result there is a need
to better understand the relationship between community and the natural
environment in order to protect and restore the ecosystem functions. The
way the built environment is designed, constructed and used has significant
impacts on local and global natural environments. 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.
The City’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 the City one of the most
environmentally diverse areas in Atlantic Canada. Residents of the City expect
that the Municipal Plan will address environmental issues such as air quality,
water quality, and climate change 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 considered interdependent elements to
create a sustainable City. Supporting the PlanSJ Vision and Directions, the
Municipal Plan concentrates residential and employment growth in the
Primary Development Area in order to maximize the use of existing services
and preserve the natural environment.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 149
7.1NaturalEnvironment&EnergyGoals
1Improve thequalityofthenaturalenvironmentby
improvingairquality,waterquality,andprotecting
significant natural areas.
2Promotetheprinciplesofprogressiveurban
planning and environmental sustainability.
3Minimizelocalcontributionsofairpollutionthrough
the creation and enhancement of complete and
compact communities throughout the City.
4Protect the City’s surface and groundwater
resources,ensuringaccessiblecleanandsafe
drinking water.
5Work with other levels of government and
communitypartnerstorestoredegradednatural
environments.
6Encourage local food production through such
meansascommunitygardensandsmall-scale
urban agriculture.
7ContinuereducingtheCity’s energyusageand
environmental footprint.
8Mitigatelocalcontributionsofgreenhousegases
and plan to adapt to the potential impacts of
climate change.
9Approach ecological stewardship in a holistic
mannerinpartnershipwiththecommunity,non-
profit agencies and other levels of government.
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7.2Environmental Sustainability
The City aims to demonstrate leadership in sustainable development using land and
infrastructure wisely to build a more compact City that allows more people to quickly
and efficiently move around on foot, bicycle, and public transit. The 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. Enhanced environmental sustainability
will be achieved, in part, by Municipal Plan policies contained in this Chapter and
those related to the development of a more compact urban form and a more diverse
transportation system.
Councilshall:
Policy NE-1 Consider environmental sustainability and life-cycle costs in all municipal decisions.
Policy NE-2 Support the continued implementation of the Integrated Community Sustainability
Plan (2008), ensuring City practices reflect the sustainability principles in the
Corporate Strategic Plan (2009).
Policy NE-3 Support initiatives in the public, private, and non-profit sectors that result in ‘green’
building design and site design, including standards from LEED, LEED-ND, and other
similar certifications.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 151
7.3Air Quality
The City is committed to minimizing local contributions of air pollution through the
creation and enhancement of complete and compact communities, offering a better
range of transportation choices, and increasing public awareness and education of
the Government of New Brunswick and Government of Canada clean air initiatives.
Given the significant industrial base in the City, it is also important that industry be
carefully sited within the community to minimize the potential for land use conflicts,
and impacts on natural areas and that the City work with other levels of government
to reduce air emissions from industry.
Councilshall:
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 Government of New Brunswick, industry and other agencies to develop
and implement clean air initiatives, including emission reduction strategies.
Policy NE-6 Carefully consider the appropriate location for and the potential impact of heavy or
noxious industrial uses 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.
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7.4Water Quality
Protection of the quantity and quality of the City’s water resources and promoting
water conservation are important community priorities. The City primarily relies on
surface watersheds for its drinking water as well as private groundwater wells in
rural areas. The provision of clean and safe drinking water is critically important to
the future of the City. The City will work closely with other levels of government and
with community partners to protect the quantity and quality of the City’s drinking
water supply.
Councilshall:
Policy NE-8 Limit unserviced 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
unserviced development in the City through appropriate provisions in the Subdivision
Bylaw.
Policy NE-10 Carefully control industrial development, petroleum storage and other uses that carry
with them the potential to contaminate groundwater and surface water supplies.
Policy NE-11 Protect environmentally sensitive areas, including watercourses and wetlands,
riparian areas, and floodplains and appropriately restrict development near these
features.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 153
Policy NE-12 Support the implementation of the City’s Safe Clean Drinking Water Program to
improvedrinkingwatersafetyandqualitybyseekingFederalandProvincialsupport.
Policy NE-13 Establish provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to protect the Loch Lomond, Latimer Lake
and Spruce Lake municipal watersheds, as per the New Brunswick Clean Water
Act, by prohibiting development and uses with the potential to negatively impact
the City’s drinking water supply, and 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, for the purpose of protecting the watersheds for future
generations.
Policy NE-15 Complete the City’s Harbour Clean-Up Program to provide full wastewater treatment
in serviced areas of the City.
Policy NE-16 Continue the separation of combined stormwater and wastewater systems.
Policy NE-17 Provide and encourage public access to bodies of water 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 Bylaw to protect riparian areas by requiring
appropriate setbacks from watercourses and wetlands and encouraging the
maintenance, enhancement and restoration of vegetation in riparian areas.
Policy NE-19 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to improve the process of identifying,
designating, and further 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, where
there are compatible uses.
Policy NE-21 Protect the wellfields providing drinking water to the residents of the Harbourview
Subdivision, as per the New Brunswick Clean Water Act, Regulation 2000-47:
Wellfield Protected Area Designation Order.
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7.5Natural Areas & Land
The Municipal Plan aims to protect and enhance natural areas in the City to aid and
improve the functioning of ecosystems and maintain biodiversity. The City is very
large geographically and hosts a diversity of natural landforms. To the maximum
extent possible in an urban area, the City intends to create a balanced relationship
between the functioning of urban systems and natural systems and will work with
other levels of government and community partners to restore degraded natural
environments.
Councilshall:
Policy NE-22 Enhance natural areas within the City by:
a. Protecting and limiting development in environmentally sensitive areas including
significant habitat areas, open spaces and areas with rich 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 natural corridors;
c. Working with the Government of New Brunswick and other agencies to encourage
sustainable forest management practices on Crown Land and private woodlots;
and
d. Carefully analyzing and mitigating the impacts of resource uses on adjacent
natural areas when considering development applications.
Policy NE-23 Protect significant natural areas by working with the Government of New Brunswick
and other agencies to identify, protect, and enhance designated Environmentally
Significant Areas (ESAs), Protected Natural Areas (PNAs), 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-24 Enhance biodiversity throughout the City by:
a. Encouraging the use of native species of vegetation for landscaping in private and
public development, where appropriate; and
b. Preserving representative vegetation, species and ecosystems in major open
spaces and City parks.
Policy NE-25 Protect significant natural landforms unique to the City.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 155
PolicyNE-26Controltheimpactsoferosionby:
a. Restricting development in erosion-prone areas; and
b. Working with the Government of New Brunswick to ensure appropriate erosion
and sedimentation control measures are implemented where development
takes place.
Policy NE-27 Participate in provincial and federal environmental impact assessments undertaken
for projects in the City to advance the City’s interests.
Policy NE-28 Where possible, seek to harmonize the environmental impact assessment process
and the City’s land use planning processes for development projects.
Policy NE-29 Utilize Land for Public Purpose dedications, as described in the Subdivision Bylaw,
to enhance natural areas within the City by:
a. Seeking public ownership of key natural areas with the potential for sensitively
integrating passive recreation opportunities, 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-30 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, and encourage sustainable management practices
on other lands in the City.
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7.6Flooding&Stormwater
Management
There are several areas within the City where residential and commercial
developmenthastakenplacewithin a floodplain.Councilintendsto furtherregulate
development in floodplains however, solutions to address the existing areas where
flooding takes place are important to the health and safety of those who live there
and the investments already made.
Councilshall:
PolicyNE-31UpdateandimplementtheSaintJohnFloodRiskAreaBylawtoregulate
development infloodplains.
Policy NE-32Supportflood-proofinginitiativestoprotectpropertyandpeopleinfloodplainsand
flood-prone areas including the Glen Falls area and the McAllister Regional Retail
Centre.
PolicyNE-33PrepareacomprehensiveStormwater Management Master Planfor areas within
the Primary Development Area that are at risk of flooding to mitigate and resolve
issues in these areas. Where possible, these should be prepared in conjunction with
Neighbourhood or Structure Plans, as referenced in I-15.
PolicyNE-34Protect and enhancethe naturalflood storagecapacity of floodplainsby:
a.Supporting the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative as proposed by the Atlantic
CoastalActionProgram(ACAP)andtherestorationofotherkeywetlandsystems
in the City;
CHAPTERSEVEN|NATURALENVIRONMENT157
b. Limiting 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 Government of New
Brunswick to develop flood proofing standards.
Policy NE-35 Improve the natural stormwater 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 stormwater management
wherever possible and encouraging innovative stormwater management methods
such as green roofs, permeable surfaces, and rainwater collection;
c. Designing stormwater management facilities as local amenities by locating them
adjacent to parks, open spaces, or greenways and permitting public access where
appropriate; and
d. Increasing public awareness and engagement regarding stormwater management
practices and site design.
7.7LocalFood
Local urban food production is a fundamental element in increasing the
sustainability of cities and reducing the cost of healthy food. The Municipal Plan
encourages local food production, wherever appropriate, in forms such as community
gardens and small-scale urban agriculture. The City intends to develop appropriate
provisions in the Zoning Bylaw for such uses to ensure they do not negatively impact
neighbours.
Councilshall:
Policy NE-36 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 within the PDA, in accordance with
appropriate provisions in the Zoning Bylaw; and
c. Promoting the development of larger-scale agriculture operations in appropriate
rural locations.
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7.8Energy Efficiency
The City is a recognized leader in municipal energy efficiency. The City has made
significant investments to reduce its 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 citizens to implement energy efficiency measures.
Councilshall:
Policy NE-37Continue to improve the energy efficiency of municipal service delivery, including
facilities, equipment, fleet, street-lights, and procurement through the Municipal
Energy Efficiency Program.
Policy NE-38 Explore and encourage the development and use of alternative energy sources, such
as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and energy recovery. Wind energy
developments shall occur in the Green Energy zone and solar energy developments
shall occur in the Green Energy or Rural zones.
2019, C.P. 106-20
2025, C.P. 106-42
Policy NE-39 Encourage excellence in energy efficiency in new development and in retrofitting of
existing development.
Policy NE-40 Support public education and action on the use of alternative energy sources and
energy efficiency measures.
.
Policy NE-41 Work with relevant agencies to develop and implement an Energy and Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Plan for the City.
7.9ClimateChange
The City’s location on the Bay of Fundy, the St. JohnRiver, and the Kennebecasis
River makes the community particularly susceptible to the effects of climate
change and rising water levels. The City must consider climate change impacts
and mitigation measures in all future decision making to ensure that residents, the
built environment and 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 Plan for the City could inform these actions.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 159
Councilshall:
Policy NE-42Work with the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and
relevant agencies to support research efforts that better quantify the predicted
impacts of climate change.
Policy NE-43 Proactively plan for climate change by taking action to manage the effects of climate
change and minimizing adverse impacts through the development of a Climate
Change Plan in partnership with other levels of government.
Policy NE-44 Mitigate local contributions to climate change by:
a. Working with the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and
relevant agencies to reduce local emissions of greenhouse gases;
b. Working with the Government of New Brunswick and Saint John Energy to explore
renewable sources of energy;
c. Supporting initiatives to increase public awareness and action on the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions;
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, increasing economic diversification, offering a range of
transportation choices and encouraging local food production all contribute to
mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
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7.10 NaturalEnvironment&Energy
Monitoring & Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1. Air quality, as measured by the Index of the Quality of the
Air (IQUA), monitored and reported on by the New Brunswick
DepartmentofEnvironmentincooperationwithEnvironment
Canada.
2. ImplementationoftheSafeClean Drinking Water Program.
3. The number of flooding events andthe impact of flooding on
developed areas.
4. The amount of energy consumed in municipal buildings and
throughout the City.
5. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced as a result of
energy efficiency and alternative energy source measures.
6. The total square metres of community garden space and
agricultural land designated under the Provincial FLIP (Farm Land
Identification Program).
7. The total forested area, in square kilometres, inside and outside
of the Primary Development Area.
8. Number of LEED or similarly certified developments.
CHAPTER SEVEN | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 161
8 Transportation &
Mobility
8.1Transportation&MobilityGoals166
8.2 General Transportation Policies 167
8.3 Active Transportation 168
8.4 Public Transit 172
8.5 Roadway Infrastructure 174
8.6 Accessibility 178
8.7 Parking 179
8.8 Taxi Service 181
8.9 Inter-City Bus Service 181
8.10 Goods & Freight Movement 182
8.11 Rail Transport 183
8.12 Air Transport 184
8.13 Port Transport 185
8.14 Transportation & Mobility
Monitoring & Review Metrics 186
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 163
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 theprocess of developing the Municipal
Plan, a key message from citizens has been a desire to reduce reliance
on automobiles 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 the City. More residential population and more employment in
Intensification Areas will help to generate the critical mass necessary to
support 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 require efficient and effective transportation
systems. The City is hostto an Airport, a 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 onPort and Airport lands be compatible
and complementary to the broader interests of the community, as described
in the Municipal Plan.
Modeof Travel in Saint John
UrbanSuburbanRural
drivetowork
2%
3%
5%carpool
6%
12%
taketransit
22%
walk
14%
12%
53%72%81%
10%
CHAPTEREIGHT|TRANSPORTATION&MOBILITY165
8.1Transportation&MobilityGoals
1Develop and maintain a balanced transportation
system that meets the needs of all community
members with a variety ofoptionsincludingactive
transportation opportunities such as cycling
and walking, good public transit service to key
destinationswithinthePrimaryDevelopmentArea,
private automobiles, and taxis.
2MaintainandenhancetheCity’sroadwaynetwork.
Effectively regulate parking, particularly in the
UptownPrimaryCentreandIntensificationAreas,
to ensure an adequate supply and parking
managementapproachthatsupportspublic transit.
4Workwithrailproviderstomaintainanddevelop
adequate rail services to promote economic
development within the City.
5Recognize the importance of the Port to the
regionaleconomy andto work with theSaint John
Port Authority to ensure continued marine traffic
and marine-related uses at the Port.
6Recognize the importance of air transportation to
the regional economy and to work with the Saint
JohnAirportAuthoritytoensurecontinuedairtravel
and related air services at the Airport.
7Maintainanddevelopanefficienttransportation
system for the movement of good within and
through the City.
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8.2 General Transportation Policies
The City is committed to creating a transportation system that provides residents
with a range of options for moving about the community and for getting to other
places in New Brunswick and around the world. However, the need to move
vehicles 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-1DevelopandmaintainacomprehensiveTransportationStrategicPlanfortheCity
which advances the development of a multi-modal transportation system for the
community.
Policy TM-2 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to adopt a more comprehensive multi-
modal approach to transportation planning and strongly encourage the Government
of New Brunswick to consider making investments in more sustainable modes of
transportation.
Policy TM-3 Where deemed necessary by the Development Officer or Transportation Engineer,
require developers to undertake a transportation impact study to asses impacts of
a proposal on the street network. The City may require that such studies include
an analysis of anticipated vehicular transportation volumes, improvements to
turning movements, access points to major roadways, public transit requirements,
sidewalk and other pedestrian infrastructure, and/or cycling facilities, and/or other
transportation impacts.
Policy TM-4 Consider the following transportation matters when evaluating new
development proposals:
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 167
a.Astreethierarchyshould beidentified and designed toaccommodatetraffic within
the development and provide connections to adjacent areas;
b. The capacity of 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, or other appropriate measures;
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. Pathway connections 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. Pedestrian connectivity and circulation to public sidewalks and between adjoining
neighbourhoods should be encouraged.
Policy TM-5 Ensure 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 Support improved directional and way finding signage for users of all forms of
transportation infrastructure in the City.
Policy TM-7 Develop a connected and continuous open grid street network that supports
convenient and efficient travel by all modes of transportation. Discourage the
development of street types that disrupt the grid network and where possible,
new development should support this street network with multiple connections to
Collector Streets and Arterial Streets.
Policy TM-8 Endeavour to connect existing dead-end streets with new and existing streets to
improve the overall connectivity of the transportation system.
Policy TM-9 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 servicing, pedestrian connectivity, snow removal, transit servicing,
emergency vehicle access, water quality and the cost-effective provision of services.
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8.3 Active Transportation
In 2010, Council adopted the Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan which was prepared
to guide the development of a comprehensive trail and bikeway network, connecting
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 Trails and Bikeways
Strategic Plan are referenced in policies below.
Council shall:
Policy TM-10 Implement the Trails and Bikeways Strategic Plan, as resources permit, for those
priority corridors that align with the Municipal Plan and Schedules from any
Secondary Plan.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Policy TM-11 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 available linear corridors, and recognize this system as a core component
of the City transportation infrastructure.
Policy TM-12 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 way-finding signage.
Policy TM-13 Acquire linear active transportation infrastructure as part of the Dedication of Land
for Public Purposes in new development through provisions in the Subdivision
Bylaw. Council shall also work with developers to establish new connections and
off-site upgrades necessary to connect new development to the City’s existing active
transportation network.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 169
Policy TM-14ReviewtheCity’sTrafficBylawwiththeintenttosupportmakingimprovements,
where possible, which encourage residents to choose active transportation
infrastructure.
Policy TM-15 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
improvements to accommodate these modes.
Policy TM-16 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 limited to:
a. North End – Uptown Connection;
b. Manawagonish Road / Douglas Avenue Corridor;
c. Rothesay Avenue (following an understanding of the traffic impacts of the One Mile
House Interchange);
d. Loch Lomond Road Corridor;
e. Rockwood Park - Uptown Connection;
f. East Side - Uptown connection;
g. Reversing Falls Bridge and Simms Corner; and
h. Active transportation linkages to UNBSJ and the Regional Hospital.
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Policy TM-17Work with the Government of New Brunswick to improve active transportation
routes into the Uptown through measures such as improved crosswalks and ramp
intersections, and other pedestrian infrastructure on the overpasses that cross
Route 1.
Policy TM-18 Support the development of the Marsh Line Trail through community and
stakeholder partnerships as set out in the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative,
proposed by the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP).
Policy TM-19 Provide parking for bicycles throughout the City, particularly in locations such as the
Uptown and in accordance with the Uptown Bike Parking Plan; in commercial and
high density residential development in accordance with provisions to be included
in the Zoning Bylaw; and in park-and-ride lots that provide suburban access to the
public transit system.
Policy TM-20 Encourage the provision of end-of-trip facilities such as showers and change rooms
in new development and redevelopment projects, to promote active transportation
means for commuting.
Policy TM-21 Improve pedestrian amenities and infrastructure giving 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.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 171
8.4 Public Transit
Saint John Transit is the province’s largest public transit service with an annual
ridership of approximately 2.7 million passenger trips and a network length of 515
kilometers. Public transit service provides residents with a more sustainable option
for travel throughout the City, and having well-planned route services, user-friendly
signage and scheduling, and comfortable transit stops and rides, ridership will
increase and community reliance on the private automobile will decrease. Greater
concentrations of people and employment in key locations of the City will support
investments in public transit service to improve its efficiency.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-22 Recognize and promote public transit as an important component of a sustainable
urban transportation system which contributes to economic development and helps
the City achieve its environmental goals and objectives.
Policy TM-23 Provide effective fiscal support for efficient, affordable, safe and convenient transit
services linking major employment, commercial, residential and recreational areas.
Policy TM-24 Prepare a Transportation Strategic Plan in consultation with the community, 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.
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Policy TM-25Support ongoingTransportationDemandManagementinitiativessuchas the
COMEX, park-and-ride infrastructure and ridesharing.
Policy TM-26 Examine the feasibility of, and the potential for, developing additional public
transportation opportunities to maximize the benefit to the City, including commuter
rail service and commuter ferry service, as long-term objectives and in cooperation
with neighbouring municipalities.
Policy TM-27 Improve monitoring of ridership on Saint John Transit and engage users in the
process of updating routes, schedules and the transit experience to make informed
decisions about changes to the service.
Policy TM-28 Work with public transit users and the broader community to ensure transit service
continues to meet the needs of users by making improvements, such as:
a. More comfortable bus shelters and transit infrastructure;
b. Appropriate services for the mobility impaired;
c. Access to route schedules and signage; and
d. The development of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in and around transit stops
and on buses, such as bicycle racks.
Policy TM-29 Work with the Government of New Brunswick and Government of Canada to increase
financial support and favourable taxation for transit service and their operations.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 173
8.5 RoadwayInfrastructure
The City’s road system covers approximately 600 kilometres of municipal
streets and represents the municipality’s largest investment in the overall
transportation network. Continued investment and reinvestment is required
to maintain the system and achieve many of the transportation goals
envisioned in the Municipal Plan. An important consideration is that some of
the City’s roads fulfill a regional and provincial role, requiring a partnership
with the Government of New Brunswick for sustainable funding.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-30 Establish the hierarchy of streets in the City, as identified in the Transportation map
(Schedule C), to meet the community’s road transportation needs over the planning
period and adopt the following classification hierarchy for streets in the City:
a. Local Streets: A road which provides 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.
b. Collector Streets: A road which provides land access and traffic movement with
equal importance. Collector roads typically carry traffic between local and arterial
streets.
c. 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.
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d.Freeways: A road which accommodates 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.
Policy TM-31 Seek the co-operation and assistance of the Government of New Brunswick in
meeting their commitments to maintain roadways in the City which are designated
as provincial and regional highways.
Policy TM-32 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to plan an improved access between
Route 1 and the City’s roadway network to support the implementation of the
Municipal Plan.
Policy TM-33 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to implement the following priority
roadway improvements:
a. Simms Corner Intersection Improvements;
b. The development of a full interchange at Ashburn Lake / Retail Drive / Route 1 /
Foster Thurston;
c. Ashburn Lake Road / Rothesay Avenue / Retail Drive realignment;
d. Improve Route 1 and the associated roadway connections to better serve travel
demand between areas within the City; and
e. Improvements to the capacity of the intersections adjacent to Somerset Street
and the Route 1 interchange.
Policy TM-34 Work with the Government of New Brunswick 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-35 Establish and update the short and long-term priorities for roadway and intersection
improvements and new road construction, through updates to the City’s five-year
Capital Program, and acquire right-of-ways for projects sufficiently in advance of
construction to assure implementation and reduce costs.
Policy TM-36 Support continued investment in the maintenance of the City’s roadway
infrastructure.
Policy TM-37 Consider constructing new Arterial Streets or Collector Streets in the Primary
Development Area only where such streets will facilitate development or enhance
the existing transportation system.
Policy TM-38 Examine applications that are proposing the development of new public streets to
ensure that the proposed streets are warranted.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 175
PolicyTM-39EmphasizestreetscapingalongArterialStreetsandCollectorStreetsbyutilizing
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.
Policy TM-40 Where the measures described in Policy TM-39 are implemented in conjunction
with a capital project, consider the overall financial resources of the City. Such
projects shall incorporate relevant components of applicable neighbourhood plans or
structure plans.
Policy TM-41 Improve the appearance of the places-of-entry or ‘gateways’ to the Uptown: the
Viaduct, Somerset Street, Haymarket Square, the Courtenay Bay Causeway, and the
Port.
Policy TM-42 Consider the adoption of 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 measures such as street design techniques and enforcement would be
considered as part of an overall traffic calming plan for a neighbourhood.
Policy TM-44 Encourage multi-occupant vehicle use through measures such as car-pooling and
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on highways.
Policy TM-45 Develop a street naming policy to encourage the naming of streets for significant
people, places, events and things related to the City.
Policy TM-46 Review the life cycle cost and financial impacts of the utilization of granite curb on
street reconstruction projects in the Uptown.
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Policy TM-47 Review means to improve traffic flow and pedestrian circulation in the Uptown as
part of a neighbourhood planning process including the possible conversion of one-
way streets to two-way streets.
Policy TM-48 Complete upgrades to traffic signal infrastructure such as emergency vehicle pre-
emption and traffic actuated control.
Policy TM-49 Work with Saint John Energy to develop a cohesive street-lighting design standard
which includes specifications for lighting levels, design submission requirements,
material specifications, and installation standards.
Policy TM-50 Ensure that any changes to the City’s roadway network are reviewed to ensure that
the City’s evacuation route system is not impacted or an alternate evacuation route
is provided.
Policy TM-51 Encourage the Government of New Brunswick to acknowledge the costs of providing
road infrastructure necessary to facilitate the movement of goods and people on
routes having Provincial importance.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 177
8.6 Accessibility
Users of the transportation network who have mobility impairments will benefit
most from design approaches that minimize physical barriers to travel and
maneuverability. Users with cognitive and sensory impairments should have access
to information about the pedestrian environment necessary for independent travel.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-52 Encourage the incorporation of design elements required to accommodate disabled
persons on all modes of transportation.
Policy TM-53 Ensure street crossings are designed for users with wheelchairs, strollers, elderly
people and children, and that crossings consider reduced pedestrian walking
speeds, where applicable.
Policy TM-54 Support and expand the Handi-Bus service, where demand exists.
Policy TM-55 Develop criteria for Audible Pedestrian Signal installations and incorporate the
appropriate Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) guidelines into the City’s
General Specifications.
Policy TM-56 Implement barrier-free parking standards for new development and redevelopment
projects through the Zoning Bylaw.
Policy TM-57 Develop policy for right-of-way usage for street vendors, sandwich board signs,
bicycle racks, and sidewalk cafes to ensure these amenities are provided in a way
that minimizes negative impacts for those with disabilities.
Policy TM-58 Encourage, where feasible, the provision of barrier-free access into and within
buildings.
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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 Central 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 and thereby decrease the demand for parking.
Council shall:
Policy TM-59 Encourage the Saint John Parking Commission, Saint John Transit, and other
partners to balance the parking supply in the Central Peninsula with public transit
service and access to active modes of transportation.
Policy TM-60 Explore Transportation Demand Management (TDM) initiatives to reduce overall
parking demand in the City, especially the Uptown. This can involve measures
such as permitting shared parking among various land uses where zoning permits,
staggering employment start times, managing the number of parking spaces, and
providing preferential parking for carpool users and smaller vehicles.
Policy TM-61 Encourage the construction of underground parking and multi-level parking
structures for new developments, and where possible such parking facilities should
provide publicly accessible parking as well. Council shall encourage facilities facing
public streets and/or Harbour Passage to have active uses or well-designed façades
at grade to ensure an attractive pedestrian atmosphere.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 179
Policy TM-62 Generally prohibit the demolition of existing buildings for the express purpose of
providing commercial surface parking, through appropriate provisions in the Zoning
Bylaw, in particular within Heritage Conservation Areas.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Policy TM-63 Establish parking requirements that reflect the unique characteristics of different
areas of the City, including the mix land uses, proximity to employment, and the
availability of public transit.
Policy TM-64 Regularly review 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 and convenient parking environment for businesses in the Uptown.
Policy TM-65 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-66 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-67 Encourage shared or common access driveways, where zoning permits, for parking
areas immediately adjacent to one another on neighbouring lots.
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8.8 Taxi Service
Taxis play an important role in the City’s transportation network, particularly for
visitors to the City arriving by air or by cruise ship, and those residents who do not
own 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 taxi
vehicles.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-68 Through the Taxi Bylaw, implement and administer standards for the City’s taxi
industry, in cooperation with the industry.
Policy TM-69 Provide convenient locations for on-street taxi parking to meet the needs of users.
8.9 Inter-CityBus 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-70 Encourage the continuation of provincial inter-city bus service between the City and
other destinations.
Policy TM-71 Work with service providers to strengthen the provision of Inter-city bus service
within the province and to places beyond.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 181
8.10Goods & Freight Movement
The ability to move goods into and out of the City and between industrial areas is a
key component to economic development.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-72Develop a system of truck routes within the City that is aligned with the road
hierarchy for the community, as identified in the Transportation map (Schedule C).
With the opening of One Mile House Interchange, or any other major Interchange
in the future, the City will review its truck routes and make improvements where
deemed appropriate.
Policy TM-73 Support the development of an integrated and efficient transportation network for
the movement of goods, including rail, truck, marine and air travel by maintaining
effective working relationships with providers.
Policy TM-74 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-75 Encourage employment uses that generate heavy truck traffic to locate in
Employment and Industrial Areas with good access to provincial highways.
Policy TM-76 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 Bylaw.
Policy TM-77 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 of on-street parking and vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
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8.11 Rail Transport
Many of the City’s industrial areas are serviced by rail transport which provides
an important means of goods movementfor businesses in the City. Maintenance
and additional development of rail service is important for the City’s economic
development.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-78 Work with rail transportation providers to maintain a system of rail services that
supports economic prosperity in the City.
Policy TM-79 Support rail infrastructure improvements that will allow for faster and more
convenient movement of goods by rail, with careful consideration of the impact of
such improvements on the quality of life for residents of the City.
Policy TM-80 Consider the potential for the resurgence of passenger and freight rail service in the
future when considering Municipal Plan amendments, rezoning applications and
land disposition relating to former rail lands and rights-of-way.
Policy TM-81 Encourage the reintroduction of passenger rail service throughout the Greater Saint
John Region and beyond.
Policy TM-82 Maximize the utilization of rail infrastructure for the movement of goods by directing
industrial development that requires rail service to locations adjacent to rail
corridors and yards within Employment Areas.
Policy TM-83 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.
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8.12Air Transport
The Airport offers scheduled passenger and cargo service for residents and visitors,
providing important connections to regional and national destinations. The Airport
lands are federally owned, and the airport service is operated by the Saint John
Airport Authority.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-84 Recognize the importance of the Airport to support the continued economic
prosperity of the Greater Saint John Region and will work with the Saint John Airport
Authority to improve air service.
Policy TM-85 Promote an open dialogue with the Saint John Airport Board of Directors concerning
matters of mutual interest and concern.
Policy TM-86 Appropriately zone adjacent lands to ensure land use compatibility and limit
potential interference with airport operations.
Policy TM-87 Work with the Saint John 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.
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184
8.13 Port Transport
Marine transportation is an important part of the City’s economy. The Port is a
national marine asset that handles a range of cargo and vessels and has recently
tapped into the growing cruise ship market. The Port offers a key advantage for
economic development in the City and the Region.
Councilshall:
Policy TM-88 Acknowledge the national importance of the Port in supporting the economy of the
City and of the Greater Saint John Region and encourage the development of marine
infrastructure in appropriate locations to support economic development, while
minimizing impacts on residents of the City.
Policy TM-89 Work with the Government of New Brunswick and rail providers to maintain and
improve efficient road and rail access to the Port, while minimizing impacts on
adjacent development.
Policy TM-90 In accordance with Policy LU-14 and LU-116, encourage the Port to utilize their land
holdings in the Uptown Waterfront for uses consistent with those permitted under
the Uptown Primary Centre designation and not for industrial operations.
Policy TM-91 Work with the Port to ensure the land use plan for the Port accounts for community
needs and aspirations and is in conformity with the Municipal Plan.
Policy TM-92 Work with the Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada to
support the continuation of the Digby ferry service and to improve access from Route
1 to the ferry terminal.
Policy TM-93 Encourage the provision of amenities and services necessary to encourage resident
and visitor recreational boat activity on the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers, and in
and around the Uptown and Market Slip areas.
CHAPTER EIGHT |TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 185
8.14Transportation & Mobility
Monitoring & ReviewMetrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1.Saint JohnTransit ridership.
2.The modal split for private vehicle use, public transportation and
active transportation modes.
3. Total kilometres of bike lanes or trailsand active transportation
routes developed within the Primary Development Area.
4. Total kilometresof sidewalks improvedor constructed in
Intensification Areas andalong Primary and CharacterCorridors.
5.Parking ratesin the Uptown Primary Centre andpercentageof
total operating costs for the Saint John Parking Commission
covered by revenue generated.
6.Supplyanddemandforparkinginthe UptownPrimaryCentre.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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|TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY 187
CHAPTER EIGHT
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9 Municipal Services
& Infrastructure
9.1MunicipalServices&InfrastructureGoals192
9.2 Municipal Services &
Infrastructure Policies 193
9.3 Water 194
9.4 Wastewater 195
9.5 Stormwater 196
9.6 Unserviced Development 198
9.7 Solid Waste Management 198
9.8 Utilities 200
9.9 Protective Services 202
9.10 Municipal Services &
Infrastructure Monitoring &
Review Metrics 203
CHAPTER NINE| MUNICIPAL SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE
189
Future development will be directed to serviced areas of the City
within the Primary Development Area. This will allow for more
efficient use of existing municipal services including stormwater
management, wastewater and protective services. Ensuring the
efficient use of infrastructure related to utilities, including electrical,
natural gas and communications, is needed in accordance with the
New Brunswick Community Planning Act. The challenge is balancing
the demands to service new development while managing the City’s
infrastructure deficit.
CHAPTER NINE| MUNICIPAL SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE
191
9.1MunicipalServices&InfrastructureGoals
1 Maximizetheuseofexistingmunicipalinfrastructureto
improve efficiency and minimize costs for the residents
of the City.
2 Improve the condition of the City’s infrastructure to
meet the needs of residents and businesses, support
economic prosperity and to protect the natural
environment.
3 Maintainamunicipalwatersupplysystemthatprovides
safe, clean drinking water in adequate supply to meet
existing and future needs.
4 Maintainwastewatercollectionandtreatmentsystems
that support existing and future development and
protect the natural environment in accordance with
standards established by the Government of New
Brunswick and Government of Canada.
5 Provide a system of stormwater management that
protectsdevelopmentfromfloodingisenvironmentally
sustainable and protects natural water bodies from
contaminants originating from urban runoff.
6 Work cooperatively with utility providers to ensure that
residentsandbusinessownersintheCityhaveaccess
to high quality electrical, energy and communication
services.
7 Provide effective police, fire and emergency
managementservicesfortheprotectionofpeopleand
property in the City and to enhance community safety
and security through crime prevention and community
partnerships.
8 Ensureinfrastructureissizedappropriatelyandlife-cycle
costs are wholly considered when making investment
decisions that support development objectives.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
192
9.2 Municipal Services &
Infrastructure Policies
The Municipal Plan puts limits on expanding municipal services and instead
encourages better utilization of the existing system inside the Primary Development
Area. Municipal Plan policy also addresses reallocating the financial responsibility
for new municipal services from the taxpayer back to the beneficiaries of new
development.
Councilshall:
PolicyMS-1EnsurethefirstpriorityfortheCityistomaintainandupgradeexistingmunicipal
servicing systems.
Policy MS-2 Discourage infrastructure expansions 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, and that the use is deemed to
be in the interest of the overall community.
Policy MS-3 Generally require that onsite and offsite infrastructure costs associated with new
subdivisions and development be the responsibility of the developer.
Policy MS-4 Require the developer to confirm there is adequate capacity in municipal
infrastructure to accommodate the proposed development.
Policy MS-5 Limit unserviced development in the City, shifting the priority for new development
to be fully serviced with municipal services, and to take place within the Primary
Development Area.
Policy MS-6 Pursue any available financial assistance from the Government of New Brunswick
and the Government of Canada to carry out improvements to the water, wastewater,
and stormwater systems.
Policy MS-7 Develop an asset management system that 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.
Policy MS-9 Ensure that City Bylaws are updated as needed to remain current and relevant to
City and community needs and priorities.
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193
9.3 Water
One of the key priorities for the City over the planning period is to implement the
City’s Safe Clean Drinking Water Program. In order to do this, the City will need to
make difficult decisions about providing the financial resources necessary to support
new development while managing the City’s infrastructure deficit and implementing
the strategic directions that have been established regarding upgrading the City’s
water system.
Councilshall:
Policy MS-10 Maintain a safe, clean drinking water supply.
Policy MS-11 Investigate the feasibility and desirability of establishing separate municipal
industrial water distribution systems to meet the needs of industry in the City.
Policy MS-12 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
Program.
Policy MS-13 Develop appropriate initiatives to encourage water conservation by residents and
businesses in the City.
Policy MS-14 Maintain the highest possible water quality in the Loch Lomond, Latimer Lake,
and Spruce Lake watersheds by seeking the cooperation of the Government 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 the Government of New
Brunswick with respect to licensing and permitting in accordance with the standards
and guidelines of the Watershed Protected Area Designation Order.
Policy MS-15 Continue to pursue opportunities to acquire privately owned land in the City’s
Watershed Protected Areas with priorityon 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 and the Water and Sewerage
Bylaw.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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9.4 Wastewater
The City will soon complete Harbour Clean Up, the project that will modernize
wastewater treatment in the City. Much work remains to be completed over the
planning period, including the separation of wastewater flows from stormwater
and the implementation of a Sewer Use Bylaw. 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.
Councilshall:
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 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 the Municipal Plan.
Policy MS-19 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 facilities.
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 piping systems to separate wastewater flows from stormwater
flows.
Policy MS-23 Effectively manage the City’s wastewater to be consistent with the standards
established through the Canada-Wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal
Wastewater Effluents, including implementation of a Sewer-Use Bylaw.
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9.5 Stormwater
The City’s stormwater system collects and carries stormwater f rom developed
areas to various watercourses, where it is discharged. Over the course of the last
several years the City has experienced several significant storms and rainfall events
which have had a negative impact on several developed areas, particularly those in
lower lying areas. Stormwater management practices and capacities are priorities
for the City to protect development and to permit growth to take place in appropriate
locations as identified in the Municipal Plan.
Councilshall:
Policy MS-24 Require the management of stormwater in accordance with the Storm Drainage
Design Criteria Manual through appropriate Bylaws, policies and procedures.
Policy MS-25 Support the development of industry education and engagement regarding
implementation of the City’s stormwater management criteria.
Policy MS-26 Continue to make improvements to the storm sewer system on a watershed by
watershed basis to protect the natural environment and existing properties and to
alleviate flooding during peak rainfall events.
Policy MS-27 Require developers to prepare and implement properly engineered drainage plans
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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and individual lot grading plans for all new development.
Policy MS-28 Develop requirements for over-sizing piped stormwater services in urban
development areas, based on the expected future build-out.
Policy MS-29 Require that stormwater impacts are considered when development is reviewed
and approved and techniques such as ‘low impact design’ and natural stormwater
management approaches are used where appropriate.
Policy MS-30 Require developers to construct and manage appropriate erosion and sedimentation
control measures for construction sites.
Policy MS-31 Undertake a regionalized approach to stormwater management, where possible.
Policy MS-32 Ensure the design of stormwater management facilities allows for recreational uses
during dry weather periods, providing that public safety can be maintained at all
times.
Policy MS-33 Require the developer to review and report on the downstream effect on the
stormwater system to the system outlet in the design of new developments, in order
to build system capacity.
Policy MS-34 Require developers to assume the cost of any necessary surface runoff remediation
initiatives to ensure that the impact of stormwater generation on natural drainage
courses, abutting properties and infrastructure is minimized.
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9.6 UnservicedDevelopment
The Municipal Plan limits new development in unserviced areas of the City.
Councilshall:
Policy MS-35 Limit unserviced development to minimize associated environmental, health
and economic costs.
Policy MS-36 Maintain an appropriate system to assess the suitability of proposed building
lots for on-site, private wastewater treatment systems.
Policy MS-37 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to improve the assessment
of properties to accommodate on-site private wells for water supply.
9.7 Solid WasteManagement
The City is a member of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission, which operates
the regional waste management facility at the Crane Mountain Landfill Site. Both
the City and the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission are committed to facilitating
the reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste in an economic and publicly
acceptable manner.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Councilshall:
Policy MS-38 Work closely with the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission to manage the volume
of solid waste generated by residents and businesses in the City and increase the
lifespan of the existing landfill site through greater promotion of waste diversion
efforts and long-range planning to meet the needs of the community.
Policy MS-39 Work with the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission to develop public education
programs and initiatives that reduce the amount of solid waste generated in the City.
Policy MS-40 Support and encourage greater use of recycling facilities for a range of products and
composting of organics, by ensuring recycling facilities are conveniently located and
easily accessible and explore the potential of a curb-side recycling program.
Policy MS-41 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to develop appropriate regulations to
discourage and prevent illegal dumping of waste through effective enforcement and
public education.
Policy MS-42 Provide appropriate facilities for composting and recycling in all City-owned facilities
and for all City operations, where practical.
Policy MS-43 Work with community partners to develop and implement programs to keep the City
clean, such as neighbourhood clean-up campaigns, as resources permit.
Policy MS-44 Work with the Government of New Brunswick to identify and remediate former
solid waste disposal sites and existing illegal dumpsites in the City and explore
appropriate uses for former landfill sites and remediated dumpsites.
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9.8 Utilities
The City works with both private and public utilities to assist them in supplying
important services including hydro, energy and communications to businesses and
residents. Structures and facilities necessary to support the provision of utilities
range from transmission towers and switching or transformer stations, to water
pumping stations and water towers. Such structures and facilities are permitted
in any zone within the City to ensure efficient and effective utilities are provided to
residents and businesses, 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 the City that
utilize petroleum, natural gas, nuclear energy, and these uses have the potential to
utilize other energy sources in the future. At the time of the writing of the Municipal
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 the City. The benefits and challenges
associated with such a corridor would need to be carefully considered to determine
the community impact, at the time such a utility corridor is proposed.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
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Councilshall:
Policy MS-45Allocate therequiredspacewithin thepublic right-of-way fortheprovision ofutilities
to maximize the flexibility and adaptability of utility corridors in the City. This will
ensure adequate and appropriate services, including any new technologies, can be
provided to residents and businesses of the City over the long-term.
Policy MS-46 Permit the development of utility-related uses in all zones, subject to appropriate
provisions in the Zoning Bylaw.
Policy MS-47 Work with utilities to establish guidelines through the Excavation Bylaw for
the location and siting of utility uses in order to minimize the impacts on the
environment and residents, and ensure City right-of-ways are properly and promptly
restored by utility providers when new utilities are installed.
Policy MS-48 Require developers to consult with utilities regarding development proposals in the
vicinity of their utility facilities.
Policy MS-49 Encourage the use of pipeline right-of-ways for the co-location of linear open space
and active transportation routes for the public, subject to the pipeline company’s
easement rights.
Policy MS-50 Regulate the location of utility infrastructure through the Subdivision Bylaw to allow
flexibility, while minimizing the visual impact of the utility infrastructure.
Policy MS-51 Encourage the consolidation of major electrical transmission lines within existing
corridors in the City and encourage utilities to undertake a public consultation
process when constructing new infrastructure.
Policy MS-52 Support the growth of high speed and reliable data and wireless networks to provide
comprehensive service throughout the City.
Policy MS-53 Encourage utilities to share telecommunications and data infrastructure, where
feasible, to minimize adverse impacts including visual impacts from wireless towers.
Policy MS-54 Work with energy suppliers to provide energy options to property owners in the City.
Policy MS-55 Work closely with other levels of government, utilities, and relevant agencies
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 and its residents.
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9.9 Protective Services
The City provides police and fire services through the Saint John Police Force and
Saint John Fire Department. Appropriate preparation and training for fire and
police services, particularly in a City with a large heavy industrial base and historic
building stock, are required to protect and manage emergencies in our community.
Continuing to provide effective command of emergency situations with rapid
response times requires a comprehensive approach to ensure stations are well
positioned and emergency management personnel are appropriately trained.
Councilshall:
Policy MS-56 Provide police, fire, and emergency management services to residents and
businesses in the City, as required to meet community needs, with particular
emphasis on the risks involved with managing large scale industrial emergencies.
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 safe places of assembly, work and residential living are created in
accordance with the National Fire Code and the National Building Codes.
Policy MS-62 Continue to support community-based policing and crime prevention initiatives.
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202
9.10MunicipalServices&
InfrastructureMonitoring&
Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1. Kilometresof City road per City resident.
2. The number of days during which there is compliance with the
Approval to Operate Drinking Water Facilities.
3. 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.
4. Per capita operating costs for water, wastewater and stormwater
collection and treatment systems.
5. Crime rate in the City as a whole and within Intensification Areas,
and the number and severity of fire incidents across the City and
within Intensification Areas.
6. The amount of solid waste, and recycled and composted material
disposed of at the Crane Mountain Landfill, on a per capita basis.
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203
10 Community
Facilities
10.1CommunityFacilityGoals208
10.2 General Community Facilities Policies 209
10.2.1 Neighbourhood Parks 210
10.2.2 Community Parks 211
10.2.3 Regional Parks 212
10.3 Open Spaces 213
10.4 Community & Recreational Facilities 214
10.5 Squares, Plazas & Community Gathering Spaces 215
10.6 Community Facility Partnerships 216
10.6.1 Schools 216
10.6.2 Places of Worship 216
10.6.3 Human and Social Services 216
10.7 Community Facilities Monitoring & Review Metrics 217
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 205
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The City is fortunate to have many parks, green spaces and regional
recreationalfacilities. These public spaces play a key role in ensuring
a high quality of life for residents. 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 to cultivate a strong sense of place by creating
the environs which 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 support and encourage more active living among
residents, supporting a healthier more active lifestyle within the broader
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 condition. Community members 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
some of these facilities and parks will be necessary to optimize the
appeal of neighbourhoods within the Primary Development Area.
Given the significant value that residents 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. Locating and/or improving key community facilities through
strategic investments in the Intensification Areas will help these
neighbourhoods attract future growth and development.
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 207
10.1CommunityFacilityGoals
1Promote the establishment of complete
communitieswithconvenientandaffordableaccess
to key community services and amenities.
2Supportactivelivingthroughtheprovisionofactive
transportation and recreational infrastructure.
3Prioritize and ‘right-size’ local parks, recreational
andcommunityfacilitiesthroughthedevelopment
of a Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan and
ensure spending on community facilities best
serves the needs of the community.
4Provideaccessibilitytoneighbourhoodparksbya
variety of transportation options.
Increase the quality and quantity of, and
accessibilityto,greenspacesintheUptownand
Intensification Areas.
6Promotesustainableconstructionandoperations
practices.
7Enhanceexistingregionalparks.
8Promote social cohesion and ensure community
facilities,programsandrecreationalopportunities
areaccessibleto,andaffordablefor, all members
of the community.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
208
10.2 General Community Facilities
Policies
Parks and open spaces in the City are organized into a hierarchy that reflects the
size of the geographic catchment areas they are meant to serve. These range from
small local playgrounds to large regional tourist attractions. The classification system
categorizes the City’s parks according to the following categories: Neighbourhood
Parks; Community Parks; and Regional Parks. 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 city-wide.
Councilshall:
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 Strategic Plan to
strategically manage its inventory of parks, community facilities and recreational
programs 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 of Land for Public Purposes
dedication program to determine if the current practice supports and aligns with the
Municipal Plan.
Policy CF-3 Ensure appropriate recycling, composting, and waste receptacles are provided in all
community facilities and parks.
Policy CF-4 Promote the establishment of community gardens when possible, particularly in
Neighbourhood Parks and Community Parks, in order to give greater access to local
food supplies, support environmental enhancement, and create greater opportunity
for low-intensity physical exercise.
Policy CF-5 Ensure appropriate access is provided to community facilities, particularly
Community and Regional Parks, through the provision of enhanced public transit
service, pedestrian and bicycle linkages, and adequate on-site parking.
Policy CF-6 In accordance with policy CF-1, develop a strategy to repurpose or divest of surplus
parks. Council intends to prepare the detailed Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan to
guide and direct this process.
Policy CF-7 Prioritize investment for recreational facilities within the Primary Development Area,
with particular attention to those within the Intensification Areas, ensuring they can
adequately meet the needs of various athletic groups.
CHAPTER TEN| COMMUNITY FACILITIES 209
10.2.1 Neighbourhood Parks
Neighbourhood Parks are intended to serve the residents that live within a
neighbourhood, typically accessible by walking with a catchment area radius of
0.8 kilometres. Neighbourhood Parks include playgrounds, tot lots, parkettes and
play areas attached to elementary schools. Neighbourhood Parks are spread
throughout the City, the majority of which are located in urban and suburban core
neighbourhoods.
Councilshall:
Policy CF-8 Ensure that each of the Intensification Areas fully serve their respective communities
with high quality Neighbourhood Park spaces.
Policy CF-9 Ensure Neighbourhood Parks have adequate pedestrian and bike connectivity to and
from the local community.
Policy CF-10 Encourage the development and/or improvement of Neighbourhood Parks and
public green spaces in the Uptown, with special attention granted to areas on the
Uptown Waterfront.
Policy CF-11 Cultivate community partnerships to provide maintenance and monitoring of
Neighbourhood Park cleanliness.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
210
10.2.2 Community Parks
Community Parks serve a larger population than Neighbourhood Parks, having a
catchment area radius of 3 kilometres. Residents should be able to access these
parks by walking, public transit or by private vehicle. Community Parks should be
programmed to offer a variety of recreational and leisure opportunities, including
both structured and unstructured activities. Community Parks include athletic and
sports fields, lands associated with arenas, community centres and pools, and
secondary school playfields and district parks. The City’s inventory includes many
Community Parks, most of which are distributed in the urban and suburban areas of
the City.
Councilshall:
Policy CF-12 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 theirpotential to provide alternative community space for
uses including community gardens, green spaces or affordable housing, where
appropriate.
Policy CF-13 Ensure wherever possible residents within the Primary Development Area can access
Community Parks by foot, bicycle, and public transit.
Policy CF-14 Ensure Community Parks offer a wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities
that serve all age groups.
Policy CF-15 Promote the continued use of the Station One Skateboard Park as a valuable
recreational facility for youth.
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 211
10.2.3 Regional Parks
The largest parks in the classification system are Regional Parks which attract
residents and tourists from the City, the Greater Saint John Region and beyond.
Regional Parks typically provide both structured and unstructured recreational
opportunities as well as a wide range of specialized uses. The City has many
Regional Parks, including Rockwood Park, Irving Nature Park, as well as parks
along Saint John’s Harbour, including Partridge Island. Although Partridge Island
is currently not accessible to the general public, it exhibits strong potential as a
signature piece of the City’s park system.
Councilshall:
Policy CF-16 Continue to support and enhance Rockwood Park, the Irving Nature Park and the
Uptown 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 Greater Saint John Region.
Policy CF-19 Pursue revitalization plans for Reversing Falls, outlined in the Reversing Falls Master
Plan (2009), 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 to better 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 waterfront.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
212
10.3 Open Spaces
The City has many significant open space and natural area networks that play an
important role in defining the City’s urban structure. These areas include rural
resource lands, environmentally significant lands such as watersheds, wetlands and
watercourses, wilderness areas, coastlines, and archeological heritage sites and
cemeteries.
Councilshall:
Policy CF-23 Recognize and protect significant natural open space lands through the land use
framework.
Policy CF-24 Recognize that not all open space lands acquired through the Land for Public
Purposes process or cash-in-lieu of Land for Public Purposes are intended to be
developed for public use as recreational space.
Policy CF-25 Develop parks and trails for public use as recreational space, subject to the type of
land, location and guidance from the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan.
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 213
10.4Community& Recreational
Facilities
As with playgrounds and parks, the City is currently over-supplied with community
parks and recreational facilities. Directing investment to improve existing facilities
in designated Intensification Areas, while repurposing some facilities that no longer
serve the community, is a direction the City must take in order to build successful,
complete communities.
Councilshall:
PolicyCF-26Analyze thesupplyofexistingrecreationalfacilitiestounderstandwherethereis
opportunity to make change to better meet the needs of the community.
Policy CF-27 Seek funding opportunities to reinvest in community centres that are in need
of upkeep. These centres should co-locate with other community facilities when
possible.
Policy CF-28 Ensure community centres offer a wide range of activities available to all age groups.
Policy CF-29 Locate community centres in Urban Neighbourhood Intensification Areas
near other community facilities, such as parks, green spaces, arenas and
schools, when possible.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
214
10.5Squares,Plazas&Community
GatheringSpaces
Vibrant communities depend on structured spaces that enable both planned and
unplanned gatherings and social encounters to occur. The Municipal Plan recognizes
the role these spaces play as ‘hubs’ for local neighbourhoods, hosting community
and cultural events and activities.
Councilshall:
Policy CF-30Recognize the special character and role of the City’s historic urban squares,
including King’s Square, Queen’s Square, King’s Square West, Queen’s Square West,
Loyalists Plaza, Victoria Park, the Public
Gardens, Jervis Bay-Ross Memorial
Park, and Robertson Square, and
promote leisure and cultural activities
within these squares that contribute
to fostering a sense of place for all
residents of the City.
Policy CF-31 Promote the use of King’s Square for
cultural activities, such as music and
cultural events, artisan markets and
farmers markets as well as other uses
deemed appropriate by Council.
Policy CF-32 Promote periodic community use of
streets for such events as block parties,
festivals and farmers markets.
Policy CF-33 Where appropriate, encourage new
major development to contribute to
enhancing existing public spaces or
creating new ones, helping to meet
the open space needs of residents in
compact communities.
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 215
10.6CommunityFacilityPartnerships
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
Councilshall:
Policy CF-34 Cooperate with the Government of New Brunswick and the School Boards within the
City to enhance schools in the Intensification Areas, with a particular focus on the
schools in the urban core.
Policy CF-35 Pursue alternative uses for closed schools that prioritize the location of community
services, such as community centres, shared studio spaces, and daycare facilities.
Policy CF-36 Encourage the establishment of school or community gardens on school grounds.
Policy CF-37 Ensure all schools are safely accessible via a range of transportation modes.
Policy CF-38 Work with the Government of New Brunswick and the School Boards within the
City to ensure community access to school buildings and grounds is available after
hours.
10.6.2 Places of Worship
Councilshall:
Policy CF-39 Encourage the adaptive re-use of vacant places of worship for appropriate uses.
10.6.3 Human and Social Services
Councilshall:
Policy CF-40 Encouragecollaboration between social agencies to support strategic community
development in coordination with neighbourhood planning.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
216
10.7 CommunityFacilitiesMonitoring&
Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1. Percentageof the population within the defined catchment areas
for all parks and community facilities.
2. Investment in Regional Parks and other community facilities.
3. Value of public investment in community facilities within
Intensification Areas.
4. Alignment with recognized facility inventory benchmarks, as set
out in the Infrastructure, Facilities and Programming (IFP Inventory
Study, 2010).
5. Number of programs and services offered at City-run community
centres and the number of community members participating in
these programs.
CHAPTER TEN|COMMUNITY FACILITIES 217
11 Arts, Culture &
Heritage
11.1Arts,Culture&HeritageGoals222
11.2 General Arts, Culture
& Heritage Policies 223
11.3 Accessibility to Arts & Culture 224
11.4 Arts & Cultural Infrastructure 225
11.5 Integrating Arts & Culture 226
11.6 Uptown Waterfront 227
11.7 Multiculturalism 228
11.8 Cultural Landscapes 230
11.9 Built Heritage 232
11.10 Arts, Culture & Heritage Monitoring & Review Metrics 234
CHAPTER ELEVEN| ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE 219
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Arts, culture and heritage enhance the wellbeing of individuals and
the community at large through a variety of outlets and interactions. A
vibrant arts and culture community enhances the lives and interactions
of residents and promotes economic development, tourism and
an identity as a community. Arts, culture and our built and natural
heritage belong to everyone in the community and should be fostered
and celebrated. Planning to accommodate the full spectrum of these
resources will enhance quality of life and quality of place to ensure a
lively, authentic and creative future for the City.
The Municipal Plan acknowledges that the vitality, quality of life and
quality of place in the City are influenced by arts, culture and heritage.
Strengthening the vitality of these assets requires continued investment
of resources into arts and cultural initiatives and the continued
celebration and conservation of the City’s history. The City’s designation
as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2010 highlighted arts and culture
in the City and its unique architectural legacy, which contributes to the
economic health and quality of life in the City.
CHAPTER ELEVEN| ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE 221
11.1Arts,Culture&HeritageGoals
Establish and support the City as an artistic
andculturalcentrewherecreativity,excellence,
diversity and personal expression flourish in an
open and accessible setting.
Increase residents’ accessibility to and
participation in arts and cultural events and
activities.
Assist in further developing arts and culture in
the City by working with the arts community to
maintainappropriateartsandculturefacilitiesand
organizationsintheCity.
Integrateartintopublicspaces,facilitiesand
community celebrations.
RetainandenhancetheUptownWaterfrontasthe
focal point of civic and cultural activity within the
Greater Saint John Region.
Supportandenhanceourmulticulturalcommunity,
ensuring that the City is and continues to be
inclusive and welcoming.
RecognizeandpromotetheCity’swealthof
historic,archaeologicalandpaleontologicalsites.
Continue to be a national leader in municipal
heritageconservationbycontinuingtorecognize,
value and conserve heritage resources.
CITYOFSAINTJOHNMUNICIPALPLAN
222
11.2 General Arts,Culture
& Heritage Policies
Councilshall:
Policy AC-1Consider arts, culture and heritage in all municipal decisions, initiatives, and actions
and encourage the integration of arts, culture and heritage into all aspects of the
City.
Policy AC-2 Recognize and value the contributions that arts, culture and heritage
make to:
a. Improved quality of life;
b. Greater economic wealth;
c. Employment opportunities;
d. Greater community inclusiveness;
e. Healthier communities;
f. Opportunities for building understanding among residents; 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 primary community partners in delivering and supporting arts and culture
programming.
Policy AC-4 Support the Heritage Development Board and the 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.
CHAPTER ELEVEN| ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE 223
11.3Accessibility to Arts&Culture
Councilshall:
Policy AC-6Encourage community-based arts and culture in all areas of the City.
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 the City to celebrate the diversity in
the 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 the City and are affordable and accessible to all members of the
community.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN MUNICIPAL PLAN
224
11.4 Arts &CulturalInfrastructure
Councilshall:
Policy AC-11 Facilitate and promote the provision of arange 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 other levels of governments to expand their support for 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 the City.
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 in the City.
Policy AC-16 Continue to work with the Regional Facilities Commission to participate in regional
arts and culture events.
Policy AC-17 Encourage the inclusion of public art in prominent community spaces, such as
plazas, parks, community walkways and burial grounds.
Policy AC-18 Promote the location of museums, galleries and other places that celebrate the arts
in the Uptown area.
Policy AC-19 Support the continued ‘1% Fund’ for public art in all new City buildings, and
encourage other corporations and organizations to enact a similar policy.
Policy AC-20 Direct City funding for public art and other art and cultural investments to artists that
reside in the City.
CHAPTER ELEVEN| ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE 225
11.5 Integrating Arts & Culture
Councilshall:
Policy AC-21Work with the arts and culture community to develop a broad range of public art
programs for all ages and incomes.
Policy AC-22 Encourage hosting events and performances in public spaces.
Policy AC-23 Commission and display art by Saint John artists in prominent public spaces and
facilities.
Policy AC-24 Incorporate the showcasing of art in the City’s capital projects and programs, where
appropriate.
Policy AC-25 Encourage neighbouring municipalities, other levels of government and private
developers to include the provision of art or space for art as part of significant new
development proposals.
Policy AC-26 Invest in local arts and culture to support its role in economic development and in
attracting visitors to the City.
Policy AC-27 Work with other groups and City businesses to identify opportunities to increase
investment in local arts and culture and to encourage collaboration between the arts
and business sectors.
Policy AC-28 Encourage arts and culture to act as a magnet for new immigrants and visitors and
to project a positive image of the City to the world.
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11.6 UptownWaterfront
Councilshall:
Policy AC-29 Ensure programming of public spaces in the Inner Harbour is 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 Greater Saint John 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.
Policy AC-30 Pursue collaborative partnerships for waterfront events and programming with
groups throughout the region representing various civic, business, arts, ethnic and
special interest groups.
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11.7Multiculturalism
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, have also
contributed greatly to the history and cultural legacy in the City.
Increasing international migration and university enrolment is further enriching the
cultural diversity of the City. The PlanSJ process identified a need for increased
awareness and further education regarding 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.
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Councilshall:
Policy AC-31 Recognize that cultural diversity is a valuable asset to the City.
Policy AC-32 Encourage the celebration and promotion of distinct cultures, languages and art
forms to increase cultural diversity, understanding and acceptance.
Policy AC-33 Work with the Government 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:
a. Recognition that our cultural diversity is a source of community strength and
pride;
b. Provision of access to municipal services for all;
c. Promotion of understanding, sensitivity and positivity towards multiculturalism
amongst all community members;
d. Encouraging full participation by citizens from all cultures and backgrounds in City
planning; and
e. Discouraging discrimination in any form on the basis of race, national or ethnic
origin, or religion.
Policy AC-34 Work with the Government of New Brunswick and other agencies to provide
appropriate services, education, and opportunities for newcomers to the City.
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11.8Cultural Landscapes
The Municipal Plan recognizes the City’s wealth in historic, archaeological and
paleontological resources. The Government 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 the Greater Saint John Region and showcases
fossil sites with some of the earliest discoveries of fossil groups.
The Government of New Brunswick is currently exploring the designation of these
kinds of significant cultural landscapes as ‘historic places’ under the New Brunswick
Heritage Conservation Act. Although the protection of some of these resources
falls outside of municipal jurisdiction, local planning for cultural and historic
resources promotes an understanding of their importance and ensures their value is
understood and taken into account.
Councilshall:
Policy AC-35 Support the recognition, protection and promotion of important cultural landscapes,
historic sites, designated heritage places, aboriginal sites, and archaeological
resources, in partnership with the Government of New Brunswick, through the tools
enabled by the New Brunswick Heritage Conservation Act and through working with
other levels of government to improve public access to and awareness of these
community assets.
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Policy AC-36 Support the recognition, interpretation and development of the primary Inner
Harbour heritage assets, including Fort LaTour, Partridge Island, Trinity Royal
Heritage Conservation Area and the New Brunswick Museum Archives facility.
Policy AC-37 Recognize the important contributions made by the New Brunswick Museum to the
local community and to the Government of New Brunswick in raising awareness of
the vast history of New Brunswick.
Policy AC-38 Recognize the importance of the StoneHammer sites, now identified and
protected internationally as a UNESCO Geopark, as part of the rich paleontological
contributions found in this region of New Brunswick.
Policy AC-39 Recognize the importance of Partridge Island in the history of the City and the role
this critical land formation has played in the evolution of the City.
Policy AC-40 Recognize the important contribution made by the Heritage Conservation Areas in
raising awareness of the history and architecture of the City.
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11.9Built Heritage
The City’s rich legacy of built heritage and distinctive late 19th century architecture
and cultural history contribute to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the
City. 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
Bylaw, the main objective of which is to conserve, rehabilitate and utilize heritage
sites, structures, buildings, areas and environments for the benefit of the community,
in coordination with the comprehensive planning needs and requirements of the
City. Grants for conservation work are provided by the City as incentives to retain and
enhance these heritage resources.
The City 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 other historic resources throughout the
City. The Municipal Plan will promote the awareness and use of heritage resources
and promote appropriate development around and adjacent to heritage resources
through the Central Peninsula Secondary Plan and the standards of the Saint John
Heritage Conservation Areas By-Law.
2020, C.P. 106-21
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Councilshall:
Policy AC-41 Define priorities and resources for heritage conservation and review the existing
processes in consultation with stakeholders through periodic program reviews.
Policy AC-42 Research and document heritage resources, including properties, streetscapes and
patterns of development, traditional linkages and community character as key parts
of neighbourhood planning.
Policy AC-43 Maintain an up-to-date register of heritage properties within the City and promote
awareness of these heritage resources.
Policy AC-44 Endeavor to provide incentives for appropriate conservation of heritage properties.
Policy AC-45 Consider, avoid and/or mitigate the impact of City projects on heritage resources.
Policy AC-46 Support education and awareness around appropriate heritage conservation
methods.
Policy AC-47 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-48 Ensure historic resources within designated Heritage Conservation Areas are
conserved in accordance with the standards of the Saint John Heritage Conservation
Areas Bylaw.
Policy AC-49 Ensure new development within designated Heritage Conservation Areas meets the
standards of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas Bylaw.
Policy AC-50 Encourage context-appropriate contemporary infill development with the City’s
Heritage Conservation Districts.Establish provisions in the City’s Heritage
Conservation Areas By-Law to evaluate such proposals through Heritage Impact
Statements, Heritage Impact Assessments and/or Peer Review as determined by the
process articulated in the Heritage Conservation Areas By-Law.
2020, C.P. 106-21
Policy AC-51 Utilize Urban Design Principles to ensure that new development is complementary to
adjacent areas, through the use of appropriate massing, materials and other design
elements.
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Policy AC-52Explore alternative means to protect heritage resources such as new tools enabled
under the New Brunswick Heritage Conservation Act and Urban Design Guidelines to
be developed in conjunction with neighbourhood plans or structure plans.
Policy AC-52.1 Ensure infill development within theHeritage Conservation Areas of the Central
Peninsula meets the intent of the applicable policies in the Central Peninsula
Secondary Plan and standards set out in the Zoning Bylaw.
2020, C.P. 106-21
11.10Arts, Culture &HeritageMonitoring
& Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Community Planning and Development will continuously
monitor and evaluate the implementation and success of Municipal Plan policies
and report annually to Council and the community on measures including, but not
limited to:
1 The number of arts and cultural events, performances, activities and
festivals and the approximate attendance at these events.
2 The amount of public art and the value of municipally owned/
commissioned public art.
3 The value of grants given by the Saint John Community Arts Funding
Program and the leveraging of these grants for additional funding and
support.
4 The number and value of properties in Heritage Conservation Areas
and the number of Certificates of Appropriateness issued relative to the
number of buildings designated.
5 The value of heritage grants given by the City, the value of conservation
work done by the community and the leveraging of grants for additional
funding for heritage conservation.
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.. Q
I
RockwoodPt1
12 Implementation
12.1 Implementation Goals 240
12.2 Governance Framework for Decision Making 241
12.3 Development Approvals 242
12.3.1 Existing Incompatible Uses 244
12.3.2 Previously Approved Applications 244
12.3.3 Timeframes and Phasing of Development 245
12.3.4 Fiscal Implications of Development 246
12.4 Investment Strategy: 248
Strategic Plans & Five Year Capital Budget 248
12.5 Cooperation with other 251
Levels of Government & External Agencies 251
12.6 From City-wide to Neighbourhood Based Planning 253
12.7 Municipal Plan Monitoring Program 255
12.8 Public Participation 258
12.9 Implementation Monitoring & Review Metrics 259
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The PlanSJ Vision and Directions set a clear course for the City over
the planning period. The Municipal Plan is the policy document that
guides 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 within the
community and other levels of government.
The Implementation Chapter is intended to establish the regulatory
basis for the Municipal Plan, set the stage for a neighbourhood based
planning program to implement the City-wide vision and define the
various aspects of the Municipal Plan monitoring program to ensure the
Municipal Plan is a living document updated and reviewed on a regular
basis, with measures to track the Municipal Plan’s success. Past
Municipal Plans developed in the 1940s 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 be made to bring the Municipal
Plan to life through a well-defined implementation and monitoring
program that upholds the Municipal Plan’s vision, but responds
appropriately to changing community needs. Ongoing involvement by
the community is a central element to the Municipal Plan’s monitoring
program and its ultimate success.
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12.1ImplementationGoals
Ensure all future planning, regulation and decision
making by the City is aligned with the policies of the
Municipal Plan.
Provideguidanceonfutureinvestmentstrategies
fortheCityasrequiredundertheNewBrunswick
Community Planning Act.
EnsuretheCityunderstandsthefiscalimplicationsof
development proposals that significantly impact the
successful implementation of the Municipal Plan.
Provide a framework for undertaking neighbourhood
planningtoprovidemoredetailedguidanceforgrowth
and change in Intensification Areas and continue the
strong legacy of public engagement.
Establishastrongmonitoringprogramtomeasurethe
success of the Municipal Plan on a regular basis and
ensure that the Municipal Plan remains relevant and
in keeping with changing demographic, economic and
social conditions.
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12.2 GovernanceFramework for
Decision Making
The Municipal Plan is the principle guiding document providing a regulatory
framework for development and investment in the City. It builds on Our Saint
John Community Vision (2007) and the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
(2008), embedding many of the principles of these plans in a statutory framework
for development. The Municipal Plan will be implemented through various bylaws,
including a new Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw.
Over the course of implementing the Municipal Plan, it is intended that all future
bylaws align and support the goals of the Municipal Plan. Neighbourhood plans or
structure plans, when developed, will be adopted as part of the Municipal Plan and
will define 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.
Councilshall:
Policy I-1 Recognize the Municipal Plan as the primary document for guiding growth,
development and investment in the City. The Municipal Plan shall be used in
decision making as follows:
a. All forms of developmentapproval including zoning amendments, landsubdivision
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 the Municipal Plan. The City
shall actively enforce its bylaws as required to support the Municipal Plan.
d. The City’s operating and capital budgets and strategic plans will support the
implementation of the Municipal Plan.
e. Secondary plans, Neighbourhood plans or Structure plans may be prepared to
address specific areas or issues in greater detail. All plans shall be in alignment
with the Municipal Plan.
2020, C.P. 106-21
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12.3Development Approvals
Chapter 3 of the Municipal Plan sets out policies on future land use in all areas
of the City and the planning approvals process for different categories of land use
and development. The Municipal Plan prescribes that certain types of development
be considered through rezoning, amendment to the Zoning Bylaw or through
a Conditional Use to support progressive development, until such time as a
neighbourhood plan or structure plan can be completed. In addition to the specific
policies elsewhere in the Municipal Plan, there are general criteria that should be
evaluated by the City in its consideration of planning applications.
Councilshall:
Policy I-2 In considering amendments to the Zoning Bylaw or the imposition of terms and
conditions, in addition to all other criteria set out in the various policies of the
Municipal Plan, have regard for the following:
a. The proposal is in conformity with the goals, policies and intent of the Municipal
Plan and the requirements of all City bylaws;
b. The proposal is not premature or inappropriate by reason of:
i. Financial inability of the City to absorb costs related to development and ensure
efficient delivery of services, as determined through Policy I-7 and I-8;
ii. The adequacy of central wastewater or water services and storm drainage
measures;
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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 areas.
c. Appropriate controls are placed on any proposed development where necessary to
reduce any conflict with adjacent land uses by reason of:
i.Typeofuse;
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. 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 consideration;
e. The proposal satisfies the terms and conditions of Policy I-5 related to timeframes
and phasing of development; and
f. The proposal meets all necessary public health and safety considerations.
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12.3.1 Existing Incompatible Uses
Given the age of the 1973 Municipal Plan, many situations exist where lands have
been individually rezoned for incompatible land uses. Over time the Municipal Plan
intends to encourage the transition of incompatible land uses to more appropriate
land uses. However, Council may, during the review of the Zoning Bylaw, establish
special provisions for major existing developments where significant investment has
been made.
Councilmay:
Policy I-3 Establish special provisions in the Zoning Bylaw to recognize major developments
in existence that do not conform to the Municipal Plan. Council should review these
provisions periodically in conjunction with comprehensive Municipal Plan reviews
referenced in Policy I-20.
12.3.2 Previously Approved Applications
At the time of the writing of the Municipal Plan, a significant number of
developments have been approved by Council over the past several decades, but
are not yet developed. When updating the Zoning Bylaw, Council will review these
previously approved developments to determine whether the property should
continue to be zoned to accommodate the proposed use.
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Councilshall:
Policy I-4 Following the Municipal Plan’s adoption and during the development of a new
Zoning Bylaw for the City, consider each committed development in relation to the
policies of the Municipal Plan to determine whether the property should continue to
be zoned to accommodate the intended use. Council shall review the Zoning Bylaw
periodically in conjunction with comprehensive Municipal Plan reviews referenced in
Policy I-20 to monitor the development status of these previously approved projects.
12.3.3 Timeframes and Phasing of Development
Councilmay:
Policy I-5 Establish timeframes on the phasing and/or completion of development where it is
determined that an application to rezone land is speculative in nature. In this case,
Council may require that the rezoning be subject to a Development Agreement which
may include provisions including, but not limited to the following:
a. That, in addition to any other securities or bonds Council considers appropriate
under section 39(8) of the New Brunswick 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 rezoning. The $1000
security shall be repayable on completion of the development for which the
rezoning is granted;
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CHAPTERTWELVE | IMPLEMENTATION
b.Should construction of the development (or in the case of a phased development,
the first phase of the development) not be completed within five (5) years from the
date the rezoning comes into effect;
i. No further development shall be permitted;
ii. Council shall immediately take steps to cancel the agreement and repeal
the rezoning pursuant to section 39(5) and 39(6) of the New Brunswick
Community Planning Act;
c. That upon repeal of the rezoning pursuant to section 39(5) and 39(6) of the New
Brunswick Community Planning Act, the land to which the agreement pertains
shall revert to its last previous zoning designation.
Councilmay:
Policy I-6 Choose not to consider applications to rezone land for development where Council
deems that the development cannot reasonably be completed within ten (10) years
of the coming into force of the rezoning.
12.3.4 Fiscal Implications of Development
The land use framework in the Municipal Plan is based on sound fiscal management
that targets future growth in areas where the City can efficiently provide municipal
services. As the Municipal Plan is implemented, Council will continue to evaluate the
fiscal implications of major new developments.
Councilshall:
PolicyI-7Haveregardfor thefiscal implicationsof all planningapplicationsthat require
Council approval.
Councilmay:
Policy I-8 Require a comprehensive fiscal analysis to be undertaken by a qualified professional
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
Policy I-8, major development is defined as development proposals comprising a
minimum of 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;
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b. The total value of additional assessment resulting from the development exceeds
$40million;or
c. The proposal poses a major challenge to the directions or goals of the City’s
Municipal Plan.
Councilshall:
PolicyI-9WhenconsideringthefiscalimpactanalysisreferencedinPolicyI-8,ensurethatit
addresses the following:
a. An assessment of service costs including transportation and public transit, water,
wastewater, 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 other impacts and risks that might arise from the
development.
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12.4InvestmentStrategy:
StrategicPlans&FiveYearCapital
Budget
The Municipal Plan is intended to provide overall guidance to the City in setting
the direction for strategic plans and budgets for City Departments, Boards and
Commissions. As required under the New Brunswick Community Planning Act, a five
year capital budget must be included as an attachment to the Municipal Plan (see
Attachment A). Building on the vision for a more compact and sustainable City, the
Municipal 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 residents. Key future investment priorities for the Municipal
Plan include:
• Implementation of Harbour Clean-Up and Safe Clean Drinking Water Program
initiatives;
• Improvements to existing infrastructure, such as roads and underground piped
infrastructure;
• Service enhancements to transit and active transportation infrastructure; and
• Upgrading of parks and streetscapes in targeted Intensification Areas identified in
the Municipal Plan.
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It is intended that these investments be strategically staged in conjunction with
neighbourhood planning to support the revitalization of Intensification Areas. The
Municipal Plan also supports the provision of development incentive programs
to foster positive 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 well designed and denser projects within
designated growth areas of the Municipal Plan. The Municipal Plan also provides
other non-financial incentives such as improved clarity and predictability for
development and removes many regulatory barriers which can act as a disincentive
for developing in the City’s urban core.
Councilshall:
Policy I-10 Ensure City investments align and support the implementation of the Municipal
Plan by:
a. Adopting strategic plans and budgets that support the Municipal Plan;
b. Ensuring that the policies of the Municipal Plan are considered in the design and
implementation of all major City initiatives and capital works;
c. Appending to the Municipal Plan, a five year capital budget for the physical
development of the City;
d. Adopting a strategic and staged approach to municipal investment to implement
the Municipal Plan in coordination with neighbourhood plans or structure plans;
and
e. As required from time to time, establishing programs to encourage progressive
development proposals that support the Municipal Plan.
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The Municipal Plan calls for a series of strategic plans, which are intended to ensure
the business practices of the City align with the Municipal Plan in various service
areas. These are more specialized strategic plans that require additional study to
support the implementation of the Municipal Plan.
The purpose of strategic plans 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 short and long-term budget priorities for programs, services and
facilities, consistent with the Municipal Plan and linked to the City’s service-based
capital budget process. Development and adoption of the following strategic plans
are identified as priorities for the implementation of the Municipal Plan over the long
term:
•Stormwater Management Master Plan as per Policy NE-33
•Urban Design Guidelines as per Policy UD-18
•Industrial Parks Strategic Plan as per Policy EP-4
•Economic Development Strategic Plan as per Policy EP-15
•Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Plan as per Policy NE-41
•Climate Change Plan as per Policy NE-43
•Transportation Strategic Plan as per Policy TM-1
•Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan as per Policy CF-1
Councilshall:
Policy I-11 Undertake strategic plans and master plans, as resources permit, to implement
the goals and objectives of the Municipal Plan and ensure that strategic plans give
consideration to maximizing benefits for City residents and tax payers.
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12.5Cooperationwithother
LevelsofGovernment&External
Agencies
The Cityregularly works with many other organizations, other levels of government
and neighbouring municipalities in the delivery of services to its citizens. The
Municipal Plan requires a strategic, cooperative approach with other levels of
government and external agencies to foster collaboration and ultimately the
realization of Municipal Plan policies that are beyond the authority of the City to
implement, such as policies related to affordable housing, school facilities, air and
water quality, provincial roads, and federal transportation lands. The Municipal Plan
receivedapprovalfromtheGovernmentofNewBrunswickundertheNewBrunswick
Community Planning Act. The City, therefore, expects that the Government of New
Brunswick’s decisions will support the implementation of the Municipal Plan.
Although the jurisdiction of the Municipal Plan is limited to the City, there are many
planning issues that transcend the City’s borders. The City is the economic and
cultural hub of the Greater Saint John Region and serves as a workplace for and
a destination for many residents in the surrounding communities of Rothesay,
Quispamsis, Grand Bay-Westfield, St. Martin’s as well as unincorporated areas. The
success of the Greater Saint John Region is tied to the City’s success. The primary
directive for the Municipal Plan is to enrich quality of life for residents of the City by
focusing on transforming and revitalizing the urban core of the City; a vision which
benefits the Greater Saint John Region and complements development strategies in
neighbouringcommunities.Goingforward, theCity hopesto work in cooperationwith
its neighbours to achieve the elements of the Municipal Plan that would benefit from
a regional approach.
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Councilshall:
Policy I-12Work with the Government of New Brunswick, Government of Canada and
neighbouring municipalities to implement those elements of the Municipal Plan that
are beyond the City’s jurisdiction.
Policy I-13 Pursue partnerships with neighbouring municipalities to implement policies in the
Municipal Plan that benefit from regional cooperation.
Policy I-14 Pursue partnerships with the University New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ),
specifically with respect to the application of City-building initiatives being explored
as part of the research undertaken by the Urban Institute.
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12.6 FromCity-widetoNeighbourhood
Based Planning
The Municipal Plan supports a culture and legacy of community planning, building
on the successful community engagement that defined the PlanSJ process. Future
planning initiatives will be delivered primarily through a detailed planning program
found on the Areas for Detailed Planning map (Map B), which will enable community
planning that supports and aligns with the PlanSJ Vision and Directions.
The process for detailed area planning will be primarily form-based and focus on
design strategies to carry forward the key ingredients of complete communities. The
process will be community- based and involve all City departments. It is intended to
be an intensive process with shorter timeframes than the Municipal Plan process
to allow significant progress to be made within the first five years of the Municipal
Plan’s implementation. Neighbourhood plans and structure plans will address
watershed and stormwater management plans, urban design guidelines, public
transit and active transportation strategies, and plans for community improvements.
The Municipal Plan establishes criteria for determining the order in which
neighbourhoods will receive detailed area planning, and the program for
neighbourhood planning will be established following the adoption of the Municipal
Plan.
Councilshall:
Policy I-15 Develop detailed neighbourhood or structure plans to implement the PlanSJ Vision
and Directions for those areas identified on the Areas for Detailed Planning map
(Map B). Council intends to undertake detailed neighbourhood planning using the
following two planning tools:
a. Neighbourhood plans for areas that are comprised of largely existing residential
neighbourhoods targeted for intensification; and
b. Structure plans for areas that are comprised of employment lands targeted for
predominantly commercial growth or undeveloped lands targeted for growth.
Policy I-16 Prioritize areas for detailed planning based on the following considerations:
a. The potential for growth and change;
b. The need for redevelopment, reuse, or reinvestment to stem decline;
c. The need to address a wide range of planning issues in a comprehensive manner;
d. The presence of planning issues that strategically affect the City as a whole;
e. The opportunity to provide significant improvements for the community;
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f. The presence of a significant number of incompatible land uses;
g. The potential for development projects that could act as catalysts for positive
investment in social and economic infrastructure; and
h.Thepresenceofcommunityorganizationsandcommunitycapacity.
Policy I-17 With respect to the detailed area planning process, have consideration for the
following:
a. Coordinating land uses and infrastructure improvements in the area;
b. Ensuring that development supports active transportation and can integrate
public transit into surrounding land uses;
c. Creating opportunities for the development of compact, complete communities;
d. Incorporating public and commercial spaces in central areas;
e. Developing urban design guidelines and heritage strategies to reinforce sense of
place and ensure a high quality human-scale environment;
f.Developingstormwatermanagementplans orotherappropriate measures to
protect significant natural features;
g. In the case of Structure Plans, developing infrastructure plans and cost-sharing
agreements for the provision of future transportation, water and wastewater
servicing infrastructure;
h. Developing community improvement plans with priorities for capital investment in
neighbourhoods and community partnerships;
i. Any other mechanism to strengthen the area’s attractiveness as both a
destination and a place to live.
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254
12.7Municipal PlanMonitoringProgram
The Municipal Plan sets a clear direction in terms of how the City should grow and
change over the course of the planning period. In order to continue to meet the needs
of the community, the Municipal Plan needs to be a living document and undergo
regular monitoring and review. To accomplish this, a Municipal Plan monitoring program
will enable the Municipal Plan to be comprehensively reviewed every five years, going
beyond the requirements of the New Brunswick Community Planning Act.
Further, the Municipal Plan requires the production of an annual report card by the
City’s Department of Planning and Development to provide improved transparency and
accountability for the Municipal Plan’s implementation. The annual review will also
provide an opportunity to consider any non-substantive or technical changes to the
Municipal Plan. The five year review is intended to address substantive changes. The
monitoring and review metrics, included in Chapters 3-12, are the basis for review and
monitoring of the Municipal Plan.
The Municipal 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 PlanSJ Vision and Directions in the
Municipal Plan. Specifically, the Municipal Plan will recognizes the potential for
significant “game changing” trends, events or developments to emerge, given the
nature of the City’s economy. In accordance with policies in the land use Chapter
of the Municipal Plan, the Plan will enable consideration of further changes and will
establish conditions and criteria under which such amendments should be considered.
In the process of implementing the Municipal Plan there may also be a need for
amendments to address emerging land use and regulatory issues. The New Brunswick
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Community Planning Act provides a process to enable the public to propose changes
to the Municipal Plan and the implementing bylaws. The Municipal Plan establishes
a commitment to ongoing community engagement as part of the monitoring and
tracking of the Municipal Plan’s success.
Councilshall:
Policy I-18 Commit to a regular review and monitoring of the policies contained in the Municipal
Plan. Opportunities for public input shall be incorporated into the Municipal Plan
monitoring and review program.
Policy I-19 Further to Policy I-18, require the City’s Planning and Development Department to
conduct an annual review to:
a. Report to Council, the public, and key stakeholder groups on annual progress
towards achieving the goals of the Municipal Plan; and
b. Consider any proposed amendments that are minor in nature and do not involve
substantive changes to the Municipal Plan.
Policy I-20 Further to Policy I-18, conduct a five year comprehensive review of the Municipal
Plan to consider amendments that:
a. Would be more appropriately included as part of the annual review;
b. Relate to substantive changes to the Municipal Plan;
c. Assess the supply and demand of land within the Primary Development Area and
Intensification and Employment Areas; and
d. Relate to the monitoring of growth targets and performance measures as set out
in the Municipal Plan.
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256
Councilmay:
Policy I-21 Notwithstanding the foregoing policies, and specifically the provisions of Policy
LU-75, where a proposed amendment addresses unforeseen circumstances or is
deemed by Council to confer significant public, economic, social or cultural impacts
to the City, consider the amendment in light of the following criteria:
a. Studies demonstrating that the proposed development will have significant long
term benefit for the City and that the proposed development does not place
an undue fiscal burden on the City or have a detrimental impact on the natural
environment;
b. The proposed development fulfills other key goals of the Municipal Plan; and
c. Appropriate opportunities are provided for public input into the consideration of
such amendments to the Municipal Plan.
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12.8Public Participation
Councilshall:
Policy I-22 Continue to improve opportunities for ongoing public involvement in municipal
government and decision making through methods including but not limited to:
a. Participation in Council and Council Committee processes;
b. Membership on City Boards and Commissions;
c. Attendance at town-hall meetings; and
d. The distribution of information through newsletters, electronic media, community-
based publications, social media and community organizations.
Policy I-23 Enhance community awareness of the Municipal Plan and planning matters in
general, through the neighbourhood planning program and ongoing improvements to
the City’s planning processes.
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258
12.9ImplementationMonitoring &
Review Metrics
The City’s Department of Planning and Development will continuously monitor and
evaluate the implementation and success of the Municipal Plan policies by regularly
reporting to Council and the community on measures including, but not limited to:
1. Total population growth within the Primary Development Area.
2. Total growth in the assessment base within the Primary Development
Area.
3. Results of the Citizen Satisfaction Survey, including community awareness
of and perceptions on the effectiveness of PlanSJ process and the
Municipal Plan.
4. Continuous improvement in Municipal Plan metrics.
5. The number of previously approved development projects constructed and
completed.
6. Number and nature of amendments to the Municipal Plan.
7. Completion of the listed strategic plans, neighbourhood plans and
structure plans.
8. Other Council and City initiatives to implement and achieve Municipal Plan
goals.
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260
Glossary
GLOSSARY 261
ActiveTransportation Modes of transportation that rely on human-power
rather than machine-power. These may include cycling,
walking, running and skateboarding.
Achange,additionordeletionmadetoapreviously
Amendment
adopted bylaw.
ArchaeologicalSite A place as defined by the Government of New Brunswick
under the New Brunswick Heritage Conservation Act
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 roadway which is used to move large volumes of all
types of vehicular traffic at medium to high speeds, as
depicted on the Transportation map (Schedule C).
Brownfield Site Previously developed properties that are usually but not
exclusively, former industrial or commercial properties
that may be underutilized, derelict or vacant and that
may require remediation.
Building A structure used or intended to be used for supporting
or sheltering any use or occupancy.
Generally refers to the shape, pattern and configuration
BuiltForm
of buildings and structures that frame streets and open
spaces. Also refers to architecture; that is, the height of
buildings, the articulation of their form and the quality of
their materials and construction.
Built-upArea Areasthatarepredominantlydeveloped.
Business Centre Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
CharacterCorridors Asdefined in section 2.3.3 of the Municipal Plan.
City The City of Saint John as incorporated by Royal Charter.
Refers to the way places are arranged and provides
CityStructure
guidance on the relative role and hierarchy of the land
uses.
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CoastalArea As definedbytheGovernmentof NewBrunswickinthe
New Brunswick Clean Environment Act:
(a) the air, water and land between:
(i) the lower low water large tide, and
(ii) one kilometre landward of the higher high
water large tide or one kilometre landward of
any coastal feature, whichever extends farther
inland, or
(b) in the case of a watercourse, the air, water and
land between the lower low water large tide and
one kilometre upstream of the line joining the
associated location described in the second
and third columns of Schedule A of the New
Brunswick Regulation 90-80 under the Clean
Water Act. Collector Street – A roadway which
is used primarily for collecting traffic from local
streets and channeling it to arterial streets, as
depicted on the Transportation map
(Schedule C).
CombinedStorm and A type of wastewater system that collects wastewater
Wastewater System and stormwater runoff in a single pipe.
Commercial Corridor Asdefined in section 3.5.3 of the Municipal Plan.
A building or buildings or any part of any buildings used
CommunityCentre
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.
ParksthatservealargerpopulationthanNeighbourhood
CommunityParks
Parks and are accessible to residents by walking, public
transit or by vehicle. These parks are programmed to
offer a variety of both structured and unstructured
recreational and leisure opportunities, and have a
catchment area radius of 3 kilometres.
Compact
Higher densitydevelopment pattern that uses land in
Development
a more efficient and sustainable manner, making best
use of infrastructure, preserving open space, supporting
transit and creating walkable neighbourhoods.
GLOSSARY 263
Complete Communities Communities thatmeetpeople’sneeds fordaily 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 transit and activetransportation is also provided.
Corridor Asdefinedinsection3.5.3oftheMunicipalPlan.
Council The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Saint John.
Crime Prevention
A proactive crime prevention strategy utilized
ThroughEnvironmental by planners, architects, police services, security
Design (CPTED)professionals and everyday users of space to guide the
proper design and effective use of the built environment,
leading to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime
and improvement in the quality of life. Emphasis is
placed on the physical environment, productive use of
space, and behaviour of people to create environments
that are absent of environmental cues that cause
opportunities for crime to occur.
Defined by the World Heritage Committee as distinct
CulturalLandscape
geographical areas or properties that uniquely represent,
“the combined work of nature and man”.
Density The number of dwelling units per acre of land.
A liquid, solid, or gaseous emission, such as the
Effluent
discharge or outflow from an industrial, wastewater or
other process.
EmploymentAreas Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
Environmentally Land and water areas containing natural features or
Sensitive Areas ecological features of sufficient intrinsic significance
and value to the community to warrant their long-term
protection.
FederalTransportation
Asdefined in section 3.7.1 of the Municipal Plan.
Areas
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264
GardenSuite An accessory dwellingto a principal residencewhich is
intended for the sole occupancy of one or two persons
who are typically related to the occupants of the main
dwelling.
Glazing Refers to the part of the wall made of glass, such as a
window.
GrossResidential Number of dwelling units per hectare calculated by
Density per Hectare 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 major transportation corridors, major open space
and regional facilities.
Groundwater Any flowing or standing water below the surface of the
earth.
GrowthStrategy A report produced as part of the PlanSJ process that laid
Report the foundation for the Municipal Plan by describing the
future physical pattern of land uses in the City.
An infrastructure initiative by the City that aims to
HarbourClean-Up
end the practice of discharging municipal wastewater
effluents directly into the Harbour, and other
watercourses through raw sewage outfalls.
Heavy IndustrialArea Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
HeritageConservation
An area identified as being of historical, natural,
Area archaeological or cultural heritage value or interest, and
designated as a Heritage Conservation Area pursuant to
Section 55 of the New Brunswick Heritage Conservation
Act and/or the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas
Bylaw.
A place designated by the Government of New Brunswick
HeritagePlace
under the New Brunswick Heritage Conservation Act.
The traditional, documented or legendary location of an
Historic Site
event, occurrence, action or structure significant in the
life or lives of a person, persons, group or tribe.
GLOSSARY 265
HomeOccupation An occupation or business which is conducted in a
portion of a dwelling unit by a person who uses the
dwelling unit as his/her primary place of residence and
which is clearly secondary to the main use as a dwelling.
The perceived size of a building relative to a human
HumanScale
being, typically determined for the portion of the building
that fronts on a public street or public space.
Newserviceddevelopmentin a built-uparea,resultingin
Infill
an increase in building stock. The scale and form of infill
development is determined through applicable land use
policies and the surrounding context.
Physical structures and underground services that form
Infrastructure
the foundation for development including public water
and wastewater disposal systems.
Inner Harbour The planning study prepared in November 2003 by
LandUsePlan the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership to
create a vision for the physical transformation of the
Inner Harbour and a comprehensive policy framework for
its implementation.
IntegratedCommunity A long term plan, developed in consultation with
Sustainability community members in 2008, to provide direction on
Plan (ICSP)how the community might achieve its environmental,
cultural, social, and economic sustainability objectives.
The developmentofa property, site orareaata higher
Intensification
density than currently exists through:
a) Redevelopment, including the reuse of brownfield
sites;
b) The development of vacant and/or underutilized lots
within previously developed areas;
c) Infill development; or
d) The expansion or conversion of an existing building.
Intensification Areas Asdefinedinsection3.5.1oftheMunicipalPlan.
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266
Land Budget Calculations prepared during the PlanSJ process to
determine forecasted growth and the land required for
employment, commercial and residentialuses over the
25 year planning period.
The use of land by humans. Land use involves the
LandUse
management and modification of natural environment or
wilderness into a built environment.
Geographically-specific categories defined by the
LandUseDesignations
Municipal Plan with associated sets of land use and
management policies.
Leadershipin Energy An internationally recognized green building certification
and Environmental system, providing third-party verification that a building
Design (LEED) or community was designed and built according to strict
Certification standards that promote resource management and
environmental sustainability.
LightIndustrial Area Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
Some combination of residential and non-residential use
Live / Work
in the same building, usually in an urban setting. Those
who live in the building may not necessarily also work in
the same building/unit.
LocalCentre Asdefined in section 3.5.1 of the Municipal Plan.
Low Density
Asdefined in section 3.5.1 of the Municipal Plan.
ResidentialArea
LowImpact Land planning and engineering design approach
Development to managing stormwater runoff that emphasizes
conservation and use ofon-site natural features to
protect water quality.
Low to Medium
Asdefined in section 3.5.1 of the Municipal Plan.
Density Residential
Area
GLOSSARY 267
MajorCommunity Asdefinedininsection3.5.4of theMunicipal Plan.
Facilities
Manufactured Housing Dwellings which are pre-manufactured in an off-site
facility and transported to the building site in one (1) or
more modules or sections, and includes modular and/or
manufactured mini homes.
Marsh Creek An initiative of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program
RestorationInitiative(ACAP) Saint John aimed at rehabilitating the Marsh
Creek system and sustainably integrating portions of it
into the urban environment.
Medium to High Asdefined in in section 3.5.1 of the Municipal Plan.
Density Residential
Area
Mixed-use Building A building containing a mix of residential, commercial,
community and/or institutional uses.
MixedUseCentre Asdefined in in section 3.5.1 of the Municipal Plan.
The percentage of person-trips made by one travel
ModalShare
mode, relative to the total number of such trips made by
all modes.
The availability or use of more than one form of
Multi-modal
transportation, such as automobiles, walking, cycling,
buses, rapid transit, commuter rail, trucks, air and
marine.
means a municipal development plan adopted under
MunicipalPlan
section 24 of the New Brunswick Community Planning
Act
MunicipalServicing Services such as public streets, stormwater, wastewater
and drinking water systems designed and capable
of servicing a lot and owned and maintained by the
municipality.
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Neighbourhood Parks Parksintendedto servethe residentsthat livewithin
aneighbourhood.Neighbourhoodparksaretypically
accessiblebywalkingandhaveacatchmentarearadius
of 0.8 kilometres.
A statutory planning document, forming part of the
NeighbourhoodPlan
Municipal Plan, and providing a vision and detailed land
use plan for a neighbourhood. Neighbourhood Plans
are intended primarily for developed areas which are
targeted for further intensification by the Municipal Plan.
New Brunswick The Provincial Act that establishes the jurisdiction and
CommunityPlanning responsibilities of municipalities within the province
Act of New Brunswick to undertake planning and related
activities.
Non-ConformingUse Asdefined by the New Brunswick Community Planning
Act.
A community vision for the future of Saint John that was
OurSaintJohn
developed through extensive consultation and input
from Saint Johners and was presented to Council in
November 2007.
Parkand NaturalArea Asdefined in section 3.7.1 of the Municipal Plan.
A building dedicated to religious worship and includes
Place ofWorship
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.
A committee, appointed by Council, who collectively
Planning Advisory
provide advice on planning applications and planning
Committee (PAC)
related matters, such as Municipal Plan amendments,
Zoning Bylaw amendments, Variances, Conditional
Uses, or Section 39 conditions of the New Brunswick
Community Planning Act.
GLOSSARY 269
PlanSJ Refers to the two year planning process launched by
theCity in 2009 to create a newMunicipal Plan in order
to guide the development of the City over the planning
period.
PrimaryCentre Asdefinedinsection3.5.1oftheMunicipalPlan.
PrimaryCorridor Asdefined in section 2.3.3 of the Municipal Plan.
PrimaryDevelopment
Asdefined in section 2.3 of the Municipal Plan.
Area(PDA)
Priority Refers to the five neighbourhoods within the urban
Neighbourhoods core of the City 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 non-profit sector are focusing
services and investment to support community and
social development and positive transformation.
Public space between private buildings, including
PublicRealm
pavements, streets, squares, and parks that are
accessible to all members of the public.
The general wellbeing of individual Saint Johners and of
QualityofLife
the community as a whole.
RegionalRetail
Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
Centres
RegionalParks Are the largest parks in the classification system and
attract residents and tourists from the Greater Saint
John Region and beyond.They typically provide both
structured and unstructured recreational opportunities
as well as a wide range of specialized uses.
Rezoning An amendment or change to the Zoning Bylaw.
The process undertaken to amend or change the Zoning
RezoningProcess
Bylaw as set out in the New Brunswick Community
Planning Act.
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270
RibbonDevelopment Developmentin a continuous row along amain roadin
a low density pattern which is inefficient for providing
municipal services.
Right-of-Way An area of land that is legally described in a registered
deed for the provision of private access.
RiparianAreas The interfacebetween land and a river or stream.
RuralArea Asdefined in section 3.6 of the Municipal Plan.
Rural IndustrialArea Asdefined in section 3.6 of the Municipal Plan.
RuralResidentialArea Asdefinedinsection3.6oftheMunicipalPlan.
RuralResourceArea Asdefined in section 3.6 of the Municipal Plan.
RuralSettlement Area Asdefined in section 3.6 of the Municipal Plan.
SafeCleanDrinking A multi-faceted initiative of the City to assure high quality
potable water, treated to modern standards, is provided
WaterProgram
to the community.
One additional dwelling unit accommodated within a
SecondarySuite
principal residence on a property that would normally
accommodate only one dwelling unit.
ServicedAreas Areas that have been provided with municipal water and
wastewater servicing.
Adrain,pipeorconduitintendedtoconveywastewater
Sewer
or stormwater.
StrategicPlans Specialized studies 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 the Municipal Plan.
StableArea Asdefined in section 2.3.4 of the Municipal Plan.
StableCommercial
Asdefined in section 3.5.2 of the Municipal Plan.
Area
GLOSSARY 271
StableResidential Asdefinedinsection3.5.4of the MunicipalPlan.
Area
Statutory An obligation or requirement created underlegislation or
by bylaw.
The scene as may be observed along a public street,
Streetscape
composed of natural and man-made components
including buildings, paving, planting, street hardware
and miscellaneous structures.
The height of the base of a building as it rises from
Street Wall Height
the sidewalk level. To ensure a comfortable human-
scale street enclosure, street walls should generally be
approximately three to five storeys and generally of a
height proportion that is a 1:1 ratio of the width of the
street as measured from building face to building face.
Structure Plan A statutory planning document, forming part of the
Municipal Plan, and providing a vision and detailed
land use plan for a neighbourhood. Structure Plans
are intended for employment areas targeted for
predominantly commercial growth or for undeveloped
lands targeted for growth.
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.
Suburban
Asdefinedinsection2.3.1oftheMunicipalPlan.
Neighbourhood
IntensificationArea
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Transportation A set of strategies that result in more efficient use of
DemandManagement the general transportation system byinfluencing travel
(TDM)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 students.
Tenure The form of right or title under which real property is
held, an example being owned or rented housing.
The portion of the City’s waterfront area as defined
Uptown Waterfront
by the Inner Harbour Land Use 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 Municipal 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 Municipal Plan. Some
lands within this area are owned by the Port and
therefore are designated as Federal Transportation to
reflect that they are within Federal jurisdiction.
Thearrangement,appearanceandfunctionalityoftowns
UrbanDesign
and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of
urban public space.
UrbanDesign Principles which capture the City-wide urban design
Principles elements through which the City seeks to guide and
direct development.
UrbanNeighbourhood Asdefined in section 2.3.1 of the Municipal Plan.
Intensification Area
GLOSSARY 273
UrbanReserve Asdefinedinsection3.5.4of the MunicipalPlan.
Utilities Facilities and buildings which provide necessary
transmission, support or other functions to deliver
electricity, gas, telecommunications and other utilities to
properties.
View An area of land, water, orother natural or built element
that is visible to the human eye from a fixed vantage
point from the perspective of public spaces, such as
the sidewalk or parks. Views tend to be of areas with
particular scenic, historic, or community value that are
deemed worthy of preservation for the public.
Includes any industrial wastewater or domestic
Wastewater
wastewater, whether treated or untreated, containing
human, animal, vegetable or mineral matter in liquid or
solid form, in suspension or in solution.
WastewaterTreatment All or any part of a structure or device or any
Facility combination of structures or devices that are used
or intended to be used for the purpose of treating,
monitoring or holding wastewater and includes pumps,
buildings, piping, controls, other equipment and their
appurtenances.
As defined under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act,
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.
The surface area contained within a divide above a
Watershed
specific point on a river, stream, creek or other flowing
bodyof water, also referred to as an area that is drained
by a lake or river, and its tributaries.
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274
Wetland As defined under the New Brunswick CleanWaterAct,
landthat:
(a) either periodically or permanently, has a water
table at, near or above the land’s surface or that is
saturated with water, and
(b) sustains aquatic processes as indicated by the
presence of hydric soils, hydrophilic vegetation and
biological activities adapted to wet conditions.
A statutory instrument which divides land into zones and
ZoningBylaw
establishes the uses to which land in each zone may be
put.
GLOSSARY 275
Maps, Schedules &
Attachments
Schedule A: City Structure
ScheduleB:FutureLandUse
Schedule C: Transportation
Map A: PlanSJ Vision
Map B: Areas for Detailed Planning
Attachment A: Five Year Capital Budget
Part II Central
Peninsula Secondary
Plan
Schedule D: Central Peninsula Secondary Plan (2020)
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MAPS & SCHEDULES