Three Rivers Tries to Bolster Housing Stock
THREE RIVERS – A recent bid to rezone rural land to bring as many as 35 new homes to Three Rivers is a testament to Southeast New Brunswick’s hunger for housing.
The Community of Three Rivers [formerly called the Village of Petitcodiac], is considering making way for new housing in an area that was recently subdivided.
Council received a presentation on March 1 from the Southeast Regional Planning Commission requesting to rezone land on Fawcett Avenue to accommodate 35 new residential lots.
“The zoning follows the subdivision. It wasn’t news to them, and they’re certainly in favor of the development,” said Kirk Brewer, a planner with the Southeast Regional Service Commission [Plan 360].
This rezoning is associated with a subdivision plan by Developer James Ritchie, who is in charge of the community’s Meadow View Subdivision – a bid to extend Fawcett Avenue, creating new access to Old Post Road.
“They’ve already gone through the subdivision phase, so the zoning is kind of following that,” he said.
The changes proposed to council would entail amendments to the Village of Petitcodiac Rural Plan [By-Law No. 60].
While he demurred to directly assert that a new housing development in the community was direct evidence of how housing-hungry Southeast New Brunswick has been over the last few years, Brewer said, “We are seeing growth everywhere.”
“Generally, with those new lots, the residential zoning follows services like sewer services when the land gets subdivided,” Brewer said.
“It’s currently zoned rural area, based on [there being] no development, and no service, so it’s slated for development now, so the developer is applying for rezoning.”
The proposition if carried by council, includes rezoning two parcels of land from rural area to residential, and one parcel from residential area to a community use.
Under its current undivided rural area zoning, the property allows for single-unit dwellings, but not the proposed row-house dwelling.
The 7.34-hectare area under consideration includes three parcels of land between Old Post Road and King Street, and at the end of Fawcett Avenue.
Of the land, one lot has already been subdivided and sold to a third party, notes documentation provided to council by Plan 360.
RELATED: Developer Seeks Permission to Build 140 Apartments in Riverview
Brewer told Huddle the developer’s plan is to mostly develop single-family homes, as well as one six-unit row house dwelling that will occupy two lots.
In the case of the land slated for public use, Brewer said there are plans to eventually bring a park to the area as well.
“As part of a subdivision, you’re required to give lands for public purpose; it’s usually 10 percent of land,” Brewer noted.
“There are no plans for a park in the short term, but that land is going to be set aside for community use in the future.”
According to info released by Plan 360, the land being considered for rezoning is owned by a numbered company – 718704 NB Ltd.
According to council documentation, the plan will require an amendment to the Village of Petitcodiac Rural Plan [By-law No. 60]
The community is hosting a public hearing on the matter on April 4, where it will consider written objections from residents.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].