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By-Law Number C.P. 111-183 A Law to Amend the Zoning By-Law of The City of Saint John

Public Notice is hereby given that the Common Council of The City of Saint John intends to consider giving third reading to the bylaw entitled, “By-Law Number C.P. 111-183 A Law to Amend the Zoning By-Law of The City of Saint John” at its meeting of January 13, 2025.

To support the City of Saint John’s Affordable Housing Action Plan and fulfill HAF objectives, the City is enacting a comprehensive reform of ZoneSJ to enable gentle density and foster diverse housing options. The proposed Zoning By-law Reform focuses on enhancing housing diversity, affordability, and quality of development by:

1. Zoning Consolidation

  • Combining the One-Unit (R1), Two-Unit (R2), and Suburban Residential (RSS) zones into a redefined Low-Rise Residential (RL) zone.
  • The updated RL zone permits up to four units per lot in Primary Development Areas (PDAs) and up to six units per lot in Intensification Areas and specific RL-designated lots identified in Schedule J.

2. Mid-Rise Residential (RM) Enhancements

  • Expanding maximum allowable building heights to six storeys.
  • Revising setbacks and other site standards such as landscaping, and amenity space requirements to balance higher densities with neighborhood compatibility.

3. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

  • Allowing multiple ADUs on a single property, enabling configurations such as both a secondary suite and a garden suite.

4. Development Standards

  • Introducing new design and landscaping criteria under Sections 9.23, 9.24, and 9.25, ensuring high-quality multi-unit and mixed use developments.
  • Strengthening amenity space requirements for enhanced livability.

5. Parking Requirement Reforms

  • Reducing parking minimums for affordable housing projects while maintaining accessible stall requirements.
  • Relaxing or eliminating parking requirements for secondary and garden suites based on location criteria, such as proximity to transit.

These reforms aim to expand housing options while maintaining the integrity and character of existing neighborhoods.

In accordance with the Local Governance Act, the bylaw will be read in summary only, if no member of Council objects. 

 

Jonathan Taylor, City Clerk