East Saint John Development Moves Forward Despite Resident Pushback

SAINT JOHN–A rezoning application for a proposed development in east Saint John sparked a lengthy discussion at Common Council on Monday night.

The latest proposal at 1429 Loch Lomond Road involves a total of seven buildings ranging in size from four to 30 units, for a total of 82 dwelling units. Nine of those units would be affordable housing.

The developer wants to rezone the eastern half of the site to low-rise residential and the western part of the site to mid-rise residential.

Several residents shared their concerns over the development on Monday night, arguing it does not meet Saint John’s municipal plan, would interfere with privacy, decrease property values, and increase traffic volume.

“One-hundred-and-fourteen neighbours put their names on a petition sheet to speak up against this proposal. The people of Saint John should be prioritized, and we have always been here,” said Janice Goodine during the meeting.

Goodine pointed to the city’s website and its PlanSJ page.

“There is too much stress from this proposed development. You ask us to move here but then you won’t follow your municipal plan. This changes our planned way of life. We’re not happy with this proposal,” added Goodine.

When councillors asked city staff to clarify if the proposal aligns with PlanSJ, commissioner Jacqueline Hamilton said it is consistent with the plan.

“We’re not looking at an amendment to the municipal plan. This is a rezoning proposal which, by its nature, is allowable for council to consider it under the current land-use designation, which in this case is stable residential,” said Hamilton.

“The plan very much acknowledges that the stable residential designation allows a wide variety of housing types of various forms and density and, importantly, that neighbourhoods will evolve. They are not static, they are changing.”

While councillors were divided on the topic, the first and second reading of the rezoning was carried with a 6-4 vote.

Councillor Paula Radwan voted against the rezoning application and shared infrastructure and traffic concerns.

“Part of the challenge that we are having out here in the Loch Lomond area is that the highway is getting so congested with people going to Quispamsis and Rothesay that they are now taking Loch Lomond [Road] to get out to that area and to come into the city,” said Radwan.

“So, there is no sidewalk coming there, and no crosswalk going there, and no other way for traffic to get out of these areas, so what are we doing to make sure that we are ready for this kind of development to go into these neighbourhoods?”

Meanwhile, Councillor Brent Harris was one of the six who voted in favour of the motion.

“I don’t know how we can continue to look at people with opportunities that we have to increase density, increase access to housing, and tell them we turned this down because it’s going to inconvenience a few people,” said Harris.

“I know that comes across harsh, but it is hard to be in a situation like this and look at people and say you know we aren’t interested in increasing access to housing.”

Councillors David Hickey, Greg Norton, Gary Sullivan, Joanna Killen, and Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie also voted in favour. Gerry Lowe, Greg Stewart and Barry Ogden were the remaining dissenting votes.

The application will go back to council for the third reading at a later date.

Tim Herd is a reporter with CHSJ/Country 94, a Huddle content partner.