Rezoning Proposed for Rothesay Avenue Property

A significant portion of land on Rothesay Avenue, currently designated as parkland, is being considered for rezoning to allow for future commercial development. According to a public notice issued by the City of Saint John, the applicant, SmartCentres REIT, has applied to change the land use designation for a property located at 358 ½ Rothesay Avenue.

The proposal requests an amendment to the Municipal Plan’s Future Land Use map, changing the area from ‘Park and Natural Area’ to ‘Commercial’. It also seeks to change the Zoning By-law map from ‘Park and Natural Area (PNA)’ to ‘General Commercial (CG)’. This change is the first formal step required before any new commercial project can proceed on the site.

How You Can Participate

Saint John’s Common Council will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments. This provides you with an opportunity to voice your support or concerns regarding the project.

The hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 15 Market Square.

If you wish to participate, you have two options:

• Speak at the hearing: You can attend the meeting in person to present your views directly to Council.
• Submit written comments: You can send written submissions by mail or email to the City Clerk’s office. All written feedback must be received before noon on the day of the hearing, June 24, 2024, to be included for Council’s consideration.

For more details on the application, you can inspect the documents at the City Clerk’s office or the One Stop Development Shop in City Hall during regular business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact location of the proposed rezoning?

The property is located at 358 ½ Rothesay Avenue and is identified as a portion of PID 55183875.

What is the current zoning and what is the proposed change?

The land is currently zoned as ‘Park and Natural Area (PNA)’. The application proposes to change it to ‘General Commercial (CG)’.

Who is behind this proposal?

The applicant is SmartCentres REIT, a real estate investment trust that develops and manages commercial properties.

When and where is the public hearing?

The public hearing will take place on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Saint John City Hall.

How can I submit my opinion if I cannot attend the hearing?

You can submit written comments to the City Clerk’s office by mail (P.O. Box 1971, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L1) or by email. Your submission must arrive before 12:00 p.m. on June 24, 2024.