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Saint John Council

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Saint John considers parking rates hike to ease demand, boost transit

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Saint John council is discussing raising parking rates in popular areas to incentivize more public transit use and the use of underutilized parking spaces.

The conversation came from a review of a study commissioned by council in 2024 to consulting company Arcadis, which outlined 39 recommendations to encourage the shift and support future parking planning in the south-central peninsula over the next 15 years.

The study also looks at the role of parking in the peninsula and how parking management of city-owned parking can help Saint John achieve broader goals, such as council’s Move SJ plan, which aims to create a balanced transportation network.

One of the first recommendations is to encourage parking at underutilized spaces by analyzing a space’s desirability, convenience, and pricing the spaces accordingly.

“This could mean a higher price for more popular spaces, but the trade-off is that a parking space in a high-demand location is more likely to be available when someone wants it as long as the prices are set right,” said Arcadis project consultant John Kemp in the presentation to council.

Another recommendation involves implementing strategies to make it easier for people to choose alternatives to driving.

Kemp said this would be an important factor in managing the demand in the area.

“There’s also an opportunity to engage potential car share providers,” he added. “Car share provides people with the ability to book a car for short-term use, and there is very good evidence that car share helps reduce the need for car ownership.”

According to the study, the peninsula faces higher demand for parking as it serves as the financial, entertainment, and cultural hub of Saint John.

It’s also the fastest-growing area in the city, with ongoing and planned intensification — including over 2,000 new housing units across 19 residential and mixed-use developments.

Parking is also in high demand because commuting by car is often more affordable than taking transit. Monthly parking in uptown facilities such as Peel Plaza starts at about $80, while a monthly bus pass costs $83.50.

Public works director Tim O’Reilly noted that raising parking rates would reduce the onus on developers building housing in the peninsula to build new parking spaces.

He added that the demand for parking spaces exceeding capacity justifies raising rates in the future.

“As we look at our rates going into future years, we are confident we can continue to adjust those up, knowing that our demand is high,” he said.

However, Coun. Paul Dempsey noted that higher parking rates might drive residents to retail areas outside the downtown core that offer free parking, potentially hurting uptown businesses.

“We are in competition, and if we don’t get our people from the east side of the city or from other of those remote locations downtown, our businesses hurt,” he said. “If we want our businesses to grow in the uptown, we have to consider that as well.”

On the other hand, Coun. Greg Norton questioned how the peninsula’s 7,800 privately owned parking spaces impacted the study.

He said if the city raised its rates, private parking lots could take advantage and lower their prices to take over customers.

However, O’Reilly pointed to the study’s recommendation to turn select city-owned parking spaces from monthly commuter parking to hourly parking, so the city can increase the availability of convenient spots for shoppers and visitors, while private lots can absorb other demands.

Following the presentation of the report, city staff will come up with a follow-up report that lays out the next steps and a work plan. The report will outline 10 to 12 specific outcomes to be actioned over the next one to two years to transition the strategy into reality.

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Saint John approves roadmap for winter maintenance improvements

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Following years of resident complaints, the city of Saint John is making changes to its snow clearing services.

At Monday’s meeting, council approved a multi-phase plan to improve winter maintenance.

The plan stems from an internal audit of the city’s Winter Management Plan and operations. Following the review by KPMG, the city received 12 recommendations, which staff used to develop the strategy.

According to public works director Tim O’Reilly, the plan aims to improve current operations before expanding services.

“The sidewalk street deliverables, we are going to hang onto those as they are; that’s kind of step one,” he said.

O’Reilly explained future expansion plans will be shaped by community consultation that will likely be arranged sometime this winter or the next.

Other objectives include putting more resources into priority areas, particularly increasing service standards for sidewalks in the South-Central Peninsula.

This would include upgrading sidewalks to mirror transit routes and creating pedestrian connectivity routes through the peninsula, such as Duke, Crown, Sidney and Camarthens Street.

The plan also aims to introduce additional priority street plowing service standards to address more than 100 rural roads in Saint John.

Coun. Eric Savoie supports the focus on priority areas but said urban streets like Wentworth must also be considered when expanding sidewalks.

“I just want to make sure that those folks that we are attracting to the uptown don’t have reasons to move back out to the suburbs,” he said.

Like Coun. Savoie, Coun. David Merrithew said other areas should also be considered for sidewalk clearing. He said discussions should not just focus on the south end peninsula, but should extend to all four wards, specifically targeting schools and transit routes.

He also cautioned council to remain mindful of budget constraints.

“We can’t spend the dollar only at once,” he said.

O’Reilly added that with the plan, sidewalks will be added to mirror transit routes and create connectivity for pedestrians throughout the peninsula.

Several councillors also raised concerns about the need for more communication and transparency about sidewalk clearing.

Coun. Ryan Moore said it can be difficult for residents to understand their street level, clear expectations, and sidewalk plowing schedules.

“I know in the grand scheme of the budget, [communications] it’s a small potato, but I think it’s becoming more and more important of a potato,” he said.

Following council’s approval of the plan, staff said they will work on conducting more community consultations to update residents on snow operations and gather public input on future expansion plans.

Staff also aim to conduct a study of facility needs to better support winter operations and asset management planning, and to create a playbook for service variables.

Canada Games Aquatic Centre Saint John

Saint John council urges regional commission to reconsider aquatic centre funding request

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Saint John Council is asking the Fundy Regional Service Commission to reconsider funding the Canada Games Aquatic Centre during major renovations.

Council voted to send a formal request after the commission rejected a $125,000 funding request from the centre’s general manager Andrea Foster.

Councillor Greg Norton brought the notice of motion forward, and said the funds are necessary to prevent significant layoffs and operational challenges.

“We will lose very experienced employees, and there will be litigation, I am sure, as a result of this, and there will be buyouts as a result of this if we can’t see this bridge funding into place,” he said.

The Saint John Aquatic Centre requires a 15-to-18-month closure for a fit-up to prepare for the 2029 Canada Summer Games, which it’s co-hosting with the city of Moncton.

The upgrades amount to $25 million.

RELATED: Canada Games Aquatic Centre prepares for $25M in upgrades

According to a staff report, Foster requested funding to move the centre’s fitness, swim, and recreational programs to other spaces, such as local schools and pools, during the closure.

Coun. Norton said if transitional funding is not provided, between 100 and 150 employees would face layoffs, leaving the city to pay for severance and deal with higher onboarding costs when the facility reopens.

Norton added that without transitional programs, members of the centre will have to find alternative facilities, making it difficult to win them back.

Coun. Ryan Moore and Coun. Brian Wyatt both agreed with Norton and noted the facility’s regional value.

“The people at the Canada Games Aquatic answer everything. Our family has shared the pool with swimming lessons from little ones all the way from Hampton up to Grand Bay, many, many, many times over,” said Moore. “The people that actually enjoy this facility and get the benefits truly make it a regional facility, and we have to remember that.”

Moore also pointed to the importance of the centre’s staff, which he called “the heart of the place.”

On the other hand, Coun. Wyatt commended Norton for bringing these conversations to the public. He said it’s important people understand that without regional support, these facilities may not survive.

“There’s a lot of talk about dollars and cents and nickels and dimes, and not a lot of talk about what if the Canada Games Aquatic Center doesn’t exist anymore, what if the TD Station doesn’t exist anymore, what if the Sea Dogs can’t play in Saint John anymore,” he said.

“Having this come out in an open session, I think it’s important because the public needs to know that the Canada Games Aquatic Centre could be at risk here, or that the TD Station could be at risk or the Saint John Arts Centre.”

Coun. Gina Hooley said the regional facilities are part of the quality of life that residents enjoy in the area, and encouraged residents from the communities encompassing the Fundy Regional Service Commission — which includes Hampton, Grand Bay-Westfield, Fundy-St. Martins, and the valley — to write letters to their local councils and advocate for the facility.

Council first voted to waive the procedural bylaw that would require them to wait two weeks to debate it before voting on it.

Coun. Norton requested that council waive the procedure due to “meeting sensitivity” with the region that was set to happen this week.

Council voted unanimously to pass the motion.

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Saint John council pushes for clearer leadership on homelessness initiatives

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Saint John Council has approved a motion to improve organization and leadership in how the city addresses homelessness.

Councillors Eric Savoie and Ryan Moore brought forward the notice of motion at council’s most recent meeting.

Coun. Moore said the motion aims to establish clear roles and identify gaps in the city.

“We get lots of reports and studies done that then get put on a shelf. We have lots of individual non-profit groups doing incredibly important work every single day, not talking to each other,” he said. “If you want to know where you need to be, you need to know where you are, what you have too much of, where the holes are, [and] where you need to go.”

Moore acknowledged that homelessness is a regional responsibility, but said residents continue to voice their frustrations because he believes the issue has been pushed to the back burner for too long. He said the roles of municipalities, the province, and local agencies need to be clearly defined to ensure accountability.

Moore also said to tackle homelessness in Saint John, the city can’t rely on broad provincial strategies that may not suit it, but needs to work on identifying its unique gaps.

With the motion, the city will ask the CAO to work with the province to quickly set up a local lead organization and a governance framework to coordinate homeless efforts, with the CAO expected to update council by Oct. 5.

CAO Ian Fogan said city staff has already been working on creating a responsibility matrix with other municipalities. He said the motion will be part of the work already underway.

Before moving the motion, council first voted to bypass the procedural by-law that would require them to wait two weeks to debate it before voting on it.

Coun. Savoie requested council waive the usual procedure due to the urgency of the motion, noting that winter is approaching and community concern continues to grow.

He pointed to new data from the Human Development Council showing homelessness continues to rise in Saint John, with 82 newly identified individuals in August bringing the total number of people experiencing homelessness to 551 in that same month.

Council voted to move the motion unanimously, adding the condition that councillors Savoie and Moore will present the matter to the Saint John Regional Caucus to speed up the process.

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Proposed north-end development clears key hurdle at Saint John council

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Saint John council has approved a proposed development that could become the first major residential project under the city’s north-end plan.

Council gave first and second reading to the project Monday.

The proposal includes three residential buildings with 267 housing units and commercial space adjacent to Lansdowne Plaza. If it receives final approval at a third reading, expected at the next council meeting, it would be the first major residential development under the city’s north-end plan, which aims to add between 6,000 and 10,000 housing units over the next 20 to 25 years.

On July 21, the city’s planning advisory committee approved the rezoning of 145 Lansdowne Ave. from general commercial to mid-rise residential to allow construction of the buildings, along with integrated commercial uses and parking.

The project site consists of existing parking lots behind 145 Lansdowne Ave. and along Harrington and Sears streets.

According to a staff report, Building A will be five storeys and contain 45 residential units at the highest point of the site. Buildings B and C will each be six storeys, with 121 and 101 units, respectively.

While Building A will be entirely residential, Buildings B and C will include commercial units along the outer edge of a large underground parking garage beneath the buildings, where the site’s grade allows those spaces to be visible from the outside, staff said.

The development would also include 147 surface parking spaces and 170 underground spaces.

RELATED: Saint John PAC backs rezoning for proposed 267-unit residential project

The project is being proposed by development company Plaza REIT and designed by Halifax-based planning, architecture, transportation and civil design firm Fathom Studio.

During the public hearing, Fathom Studio senior urban developer Jacob Ritchie said Plaza REIT and Fathom quickly recognized that the project aligned with the city’s vision after meeting with staff and consultants.

“This became a great opportunity to see us follow the North End plan with this rezoning and be able to deliver through a rezoning this exact type of redevelopment that your plans have asked for,” he said.

According to the city’s North-End Secondary Plan, Lansdowne Plaza was identified as one of several “character areas” offering opportunities for this type of redevelopment.

Ritchie said Plaza REIT and Fathom had begun working on the project before the city finalized the North-End plan, which he described as an ambitious initiative for an area “that has a ton of opportunity.”

Following the public hearing, Coun. Brian Wyatt voiced his support for the development, calling it an important step toward achieving the goals of the North-End plan.

“I think it’s the first step in really building out the North-End, an area that is looking for redevelopment and revitalization,” he said.

RELATED: Saint John council gives final approval to North End plan

Mayor Donna Reardon also backed the project, saying she was pleased Plaza REIT and Fathom recognized the neighbourhood’s potential.

“I love that you see that the North End has wonderful opportunities, I see that myself,” she said. “I feel like if we can get this on the road, that this will be a real catalyst over there for growth.”

The project also faced no public opposition during the hearing and was approved unanimously by council.

No construction timeline was provided during the meeting. Ritchie said that after receiving the rezoning, Plaza REIT will need to reassess project costs because market conditions have changed. However, he said redeveloping the site remains a top priority.

Saint John City Sign_Alex Allan_Acadia Broadcasting

Saint John pilot funds security upgrades for businesses affected by crime

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Local business in Saint John have received roughly $48,000 to deal with crime in the city.

According to a council report, the city approved 13 applications as part of its new Community Resilience Fund.

The fund, approved by council in December, was launched as a two-year pilot program with up to $250,000 available annually to support small businesses and non-profits affected by crime, including property damage, safety concerns and increased security needs.

The city introduced the program along with its Community Safety and Security Team, another two-year pilot program created in response to residents’ concerns about safety and disorder in Waterloo Village, uptown Saint John and the Thorne Avenue–Rothesay Avenue corridor.

The applications were screened by the city’s Community Resilience Fund committee, which received 18 applications in total.

However, according to the report, the committee primarily recommended projects focused on preventive security measures, including surveillance systems, lighting, fencing and surrounding improvements.

“As the first intake of this pilot program, this round demonstrates strong alignments with program objectives and clear demand for initiatives that improve safety and reduce vulnerability to crime,” said staff in the report.

Applications were assessed based on eligibility criteria and a prioritization matrix that took into account:
• Demonstrated need and impact
• Alignment with program objectives
• Reasonableness and eligibility of costs
• Broader community benefit
• Geographic distribution and equity

The maximum reimbursement organizations are eligible for is $7,500.

According to the list of recipients, excursion provider Aquila Tours received $4,813 to upgrade its alarm systems, doors and windows. Maritime Complex Inc. received $7,500 to restore its security door “until a replacement could be source and installed,” and install a security camera system to cover the entire building.

Like Maritime Complex, Kaleidoscope Social Impact — a non-profit dedicated to poverty reduction — received $7,500 to upgrade its security system and add a locking chain-link fence.

Container Village AREA 506 received roughly $371 to add security cameras. Drapery company Albert’s Draperies received $5,873.29 to install new fencing and improve its security system. First Step Housing, a non-profit that provides housing for homeless pregnant women, received $7,500 to remove dense shrubbery, secure the area beneath its balcony with enclosed storage and remove a side ramp.

Other companies and organizations, such as Lancaster Baptist Church, received $655 for security cameras. The Resource Centre, a non-profit, received $4,425 for yard cleanup, fencing and a security camera to monitor its back area. Bar Five and Dime received $1,856.68 for security cameras. Consulting company Resonance Advisors received $1,551 for security cameras and upgrades to door locks. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint John received $5,561 for security cameras, and Delish Gourmet Rolled Ice Cream received $144.61 to upgrade security in the shop.

This is the first intake round of the pilot. According to the report, city staff will continue to promote and increase awareness of the program in future rounds.

To ensure accountability and the proper use of funds, recipients who have not yet completed their projects will be required to submit receipts and outcome reports within 90 days before funding is released.

North End Neighbourhood Plan

Saint John council gives final approval to North End plan

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Saint John council concluded its final meeting by approving the city’s North End plan.

On Tuesday, council gave third reading to a bylaw amending the municipal plan to allow development.

Community planning and housing director Pankaj Nalavde said during a presentation to council on Monday that the project could add between 6,000 and 10,000 housing units over the next 20 to 25 years.

The plan “builds upon the smart growth principles the smart growth principles of municipal plan SJ, which identified the North End as a residential intensification area capable of offering true diversity of housing choice to it’s residents,” explained Nalavde.

According to a staff report, the plan aims to establish direction for growth and development through “gentle” densification, strategic infill, redevelopment and revitalization of historic corridors, and the creation of new planned neighbourhoods.

The project began in November 2024, and the city has worked with two major North End community groups to draft a boundary map.

The staff report adds that, based on 2021 census data, areas identified for development in the North End include some of the city’s most impoverished neighbourhoods, with approximately 25 per cent of households earning less than $30,000 a year.

The planning area is divided into six character areas: Douglas Avenue, Old North End, Lansdowne and Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Somerset, and the Pokioke Green Field.

RELATED: Saint John seeks feedback for north end plan

Fotenn Planning + Design consultant Matt McElligot told council the plan’s main goal is to expand housing choice, improve long-term affordability and strengthen the sustainability of the North End.

McElligot said development within the designated areas will not necessarily be the same throughout, but they will share “identifiable characteristics” in built form, land use and other community features.

The city has held three community engagement events to gather public input on the project.

Through that input, the city identified additional priorities, including prioritizing housing growth opportunities and emphasizing beautification by revitalizing North End streets and buildings while maintaining the area’s historic character.

To develop the project, the city received funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund and the Green Municipal Fund.

A public hearing followed staff’s presentation. Several councillors raised concerns about brownfield sites in prime North End locations, noting the cost of remediation can be substantial and make the properties difficult to develop.

Staff suggested council consider developing a citywide brownfield policy, but Coun. Greg Norton said immediate action is necessary, warning that a comprehensive policy could leave sites undeveloped for a decade or more.

“I’m happy to frame it up with a city wide policy, but it really start like ‘hey look, we’ve got one, let’s go after that one, we’ve got one crossing, let’s go after that crossing and get it done,” he said.

Despite there being no clear resolution on brownfields, council unanimously gave third reading to the bylaw during a special meeting Tuesday.

Following council’s approval, the project will now move into the master planning phase.

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Saint John council approves funding agreement to raise Courtney Bay Causeway

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Saint John is securing funding to raise the Courtney Bay Causeway.

At Monday’s council meeting, councillors approved the city entering into a funding agreement with the federal government under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to move forward with a revised version of the project.

The funding will cover 40 per cent of the cost to raise the causeway to better protect the east side of the city from sea level rise and storm surge, while the city will cover the leftover 60 per cent.

The city initially submitted a funding application in 2021, proposing the development of a forebay pumping station. The federal government approved the funding of $17.4 million in 2022.

However, after completing an initial investigation and conceptual design for the causeway renewal, it was determined the pumping station would not be feasible.

According to a report from city staff, the pumping station was ruled out due to the high cost of installation and limited upstream benefit relative to the expense, which would’ve brought the project’s total costs to $34 million.

The investigation also found that if the causeway were to be overtopped and fail, the estimated impacts would include roughly $251 million in property damage and municipal repair costs.

After revisiting the project, city staff determined the causeway could be renewed and raised within the approved DMAF funding. However, to cover the remaining costs, the width of the causeway would need to be reduced from four lanes to two, Coun. Gary Sullivan said.

“We’ll have two very nice lanes that’ll get us across the causeway and a trail for active transportation as well, so that we can safely manoeuvre and have folks from the east side join us uptown,” he said. “It will be a modern, rebuilt causeway.”

Under the revised plan, the causeway would be raised to 7.5 metres and include a multi-use trail and a one-metre barrier.

The motion passed unanimously.

According to the staff report, following council’s approval, staff will seek formal confirmation from the federal government and proceed with the design phase.

Without the pumping station, the total project cost is currently estimated at $19.2 million.

Funding for further investigation and detailed design is included in the city’s 2026 general fund capital program, with the city’s total contribution projected at $11.5 million over three years.

Design and permitting are expected to take two years, with construction planned for 2028, the report said.